Todos Santos Mexico

We've been given directions to the 'Basketball Court', not it's real name, but nobody can pronounce that, so "just look for the hoop near the entrance."

We follow the instructions about four blocks and find the landmark hoop on Revolucion de 1910.    The Basketball Court is tucked back from the street.  

Huarachanzo, or as the locals call it,
 "The Basketball Court"

Britney Spears is blaring on the speakers seeming to remind us how small the world really is.  It's all relative.

Our meal arrives shortly - orange juice in 16 oz glasses, and beautifully presented plates.  The final bill is less than $10!  A few blocks down the street in downtown Cabo San Lucas, this meal would be twice that.  

Just like shopping; walk a few blocks off the main drag  - get good food, good prices and feel as though you're in Mexico!

Huevos Rancheros	Chicken Enchiladas
Is your mouth watering yet?

We say goodbye to the party town and head inland into the desert towards Todos Santos.   Although the road parallels the Pacific Ocean, it is only a glowing sliver line on the horizon.

In less than an hour and a half we see the first sign of life in Todos Santos.  Shut up Frank Bar and Grill is first, followed by Bimbo, a grocery market.  What a welcome!  

If you've ever been to Carmel, California  – Carmel by the Sea, as it's called – you know why some people are eternally  hooked.  If you're an ocean city kind of person, Carmel is quite simply, the perfect spot.  Gorgeous beaches, gourmet restaurants, sophisticated boutique shopping, fabulous homes, a tight community of locals who are friendly and glad to see you, and quaint streets lined with all of those, make it so.  

Todos Santos has been, is being, will be (?) called the next Carmel.   If you come here expecting that, you will be GROSSLY disappointed.  In the first place, if you hadn't heard of it and you just happened by, you would probably keep on going.

It doesn't look like anything special.  The streets are plain, the buildings hint of rundown, and there's hardly anybody around.  If you didn't know, you might think it somewhat third-worldy.  You might wonder why anybody should visit here, which is exactly what happens to hundreds of tourists every year. They come, they stay a few hours and they leave saying "What's the big deal?"   Which is why you cannot be a 'Day Tripper' as the locals will call you.  In fact, they will shake their heads and talk about you when you leave, saying things like "They just don't get it." Two or three days is all you need – a big hunk out of your vacation – but you'll never forget it. Our two days begin early afternoon, and we are lucky enough to get our first glimpse into the magic of this remote, little town. Continued