Don Concho and the Saving of La Manzanilla
Posted by david dagoli on April 22, 2021, 8:19 am
From April 22, 2013: Here is the photo I took today of Don Concho: one of the oldest original residents still living in La Manzanilla; certainly the oldest living director of the Ejido. He was born on December 8, 1918; he will be 95 years old this year. We went to his house today, invited along by Cruz, whose suggestion it was to photograph and interview him. He was quite lucid, and talkative, and seemed in good spirits. He is very proud of having saved our beach, and La Manzanilla, from the clutches of a very nasty land developer, over 50 years ago. His story is amazing, and it's a wonder he is alive today. Don Concho was on the board of the La Manzanilla Ejido in the late 1950's, when the developer in question - Luis Velasquez Baragán - attempted to take the whole beach and much of what is now the town of La Manzanilla. Velasquez tried to pay bribes (which some took), and threatened murder and harm, but Don Concho and some others did not give in. The soldiers finally came and threw Don Concho in jail (along with 6 other Ejido members) in Gualajara for 8 miserable months. The developer eventually went ahead and built the hotel, which is now what we know as the "Ruined Hotel" near Boca de Iguanas. During this time, Don Concho's wife was pregnant and complications arose. Since there were no roads at that time, she did not get the medical treatment necessary, and she died, along with the baby. Don Concho wanted to make sure we knew that he remained true to his principles, and never accepted money or gave in to the unscrupulous people who tried to take away the Ejido's land. There's more to this story, and of course, many more stories. Don Concho has seen and experienced a lot in his life. He is now living with his grand-daughter Chela who makes the amazing donuts you may have seen in the jardin and around town. Muchas Gracias to Cruz and to Don Concho's family for allowing us to meet, and to photograph him. It was an honour.
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Posted by Lola G on April 22, 2021, 8:43 am, in reply to "Don Concho and the Saving of La Manzanilla"
Very interesting story, thank you for making time to do this and share with us. Especially meaningful to me, a greener member to La Manzanilla, who still is learning the history. Question: does anyone know where these donuts can be found? | -----------------------Re: Don Concho and the Saving of La Manzanilla
Posted by Jo Anna on April 22, 2021, 8:45 am, in reply to "Don Concho and the Saving of La Manzanilla"
Thank you for this slice of history, David, and for the photo. I shall be ever grateful to Don Concho for his courage and his ethics. | -----------------------Re: Don Concho and the Saving of La Manzanilla
Posted by Don F on April 22, 2021, 10:38 am, in reply to "Don Concho and the Saving of La Manzanilla"
Thank you David. And a big muchas gracias Don Concho. DF | -----------------------Re: Don Concho and the Saving of La Manzanilla
Posted by Jim on April 22, 2021, 11:00 am, in reply to "Don Concho and the Saving of La Manzanilla"-----------------------Re: Don Concho and the Saving of La Manzanilla
Posted by Jeanne on April 22, 2021, 11:04 am, in reply to "Re: Don Concho and the Saving of La Manzanilla"
Wow! Great story! This would make a wonderful little film! | -----------------------Re: Don Concho and the Saving of La Manzanilla
Posted by Cruz G on April 22, 2021, 11:28 am, in reply to "Re: Don Concho and the Saving of La Manzanilla"
Gracias, David. Yes, Don Concho and a small group of others, joined to keep La Manzanilla bay free and open to the public. We owe them so much that they kept focused and undivided from their goal, thus giving us so much pleasure and enjoyment. What I don't understand is that so much of the Costalegre coast is closed or in danger of becoming closed to the public. I thought all Mexican coast was supposed to be open and accessible forever to its citizens, this would include El Tamarindo. True, one is allowed to access the Tamarindo beach and loll on its sand using a sea landing. But can we do this on the other closed beaches? And then only if one has a way of getting to the beach from the ocean side. It costs a bit of $ and effort, $ that most local residents and visitors don't have. Does anyone know anthing about this? Cruz | -----------------------Re: Don Concho and the Saving of La Manzanilla
Posted by David c on April 22, 2021, 12:15 pm, in reply to "Re: Don Concho and the Saving of La Manzanilla"
Gracias David, great and true story. I bought my view lots here from Don Concho back in 1995 and he was quite the character. He lived a long and healthy life and was always physically active and what a conversationalist. | -----------------------Re: Don Concho and the Saving of La Manzanilla
Posted by david dagoli on April 22, 2021, 1:31 pm, in reply to "Re: Don Concho and the Saving of La Manzanilla"
Cruz - a short story about Tamarindo, and karma: A few years ago, I was out fishing early one morning with a Mexican friend. In Tamarindo Bay, we dropped a small net to catch bait fish under the cliff with those houses jutting out on I-beams. There was a huge white yacht anchored in the bay, not far from us. We observed a very fat and pink man on the top deck outside, walking on a fancy treadmill, while a dark-skinned man in a white uniform came up to him with a drink on a tray balanced on his hand. We assumed this large pink man was the owner of the yacht. He pointed at us and we could see he was yelling at the other man. A few moments later, a small speed-boat came racing towards us from the Tamarindo dock. It pulled up alongside our boat with two Mexican men in white uniforms - with side arms - on board. They yelled at us that we weren’t allowed to fish there. My Mexican friend let loose with a tirade of chingas (I learned a lot of new Spanish cuss words) and finished with asking the men how they could possibly tell a Mexican not to fish in his own waters. And the capper: "You should be ashamed to be Mexican!" They paused a beat, then turned around and sped off. We continued fishing. Days later, we heard news that the giant yacht hit the submerged rock off the headland where the Banamex house is. The story told was that the owner of the yacht had decided to take control of the helm, possibly drunk. He ran into the rock, which is not marked. Lots of items from the ship apparently floated out through the hole in the hull. The fishermen jigging for huachinango nearby were able to snag some valuable stuff as it floated by. I believe the yacht was towed to Manzanillo for repairs, and the incident even appeared in news reports. | -----------------------Re: Don Concho and the Saving of La Manzanilla
Posted by David c on April 22, 2021, 2:39 pm, in reply to "Re: Don Concho and the Saving of La Manzanilla"
Another story. I first came to barra on 1974 and then came here in 1976. We used to take back road to tamarindo and bribe the care taker with a cold six-pack. He would then allow us access to the beach where we romped around naked in the waves. He must have enjoyed the view of the young ladies with us. Ah the good old days, they are missed. | -----------------------Re: Don Concho and the Saving of La Manzanilla
Posted by davidstrand on April 22, 2021, 2:25 pm, in reply to "Re: Don Concho and the Saving of La Manzanilla"
COURAGEOUS, INSIGHTFUL, WISE... | -----------------------Re: Don Concho and the Saving of La Manzanilla
Posted by Geronimo on April 29, 2021, 11:55 am, in reply to "Re: Don Concho and the Saving of La Manzanilla"
David, Thank you for posting the story of a principled and courageous man. Viva Don Concho!
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Posted by David on April 22, 2021, 4:58 pm, in reply to "Don Concho and the Saving of La Manzanilla"
if he was born in 1918 wouldn't that make him 103 now not 95 | -----------------------Re: Don Concho and the Saving of La Manzanilla
Posted by david dagoli on April 22, 2021, 5:27 pm, in reply to "Re: Don Concho and the Saving of La Manzanilla"
As I wrote, my original post was on this date in 2013, when he was 95. I don’t know what happened to Don Concho...Cruz? | -----------------------Re: Don Concho and the Saving of La Manzanilla
Posted by Martha Moore on April 23, 2021, 11:55 am, in reply to "Don Concho and the Saving of La Manzanilla"
I can't imagine a more beautiful or important tribute to the wonderful man who saved this magical and beloved town.Thank you Don Concho and David D. for this portrait. | -----------------------Re: Don Concho and the Saving of La Manzanilla
Posted by M Morgan on April 23, 2021, 3:36 pm, in reply to "Re: Don Concho and the Saving of La Manzanilla"
David, history is very important. If you find any more stories such as these, they are treasures and a great thing to be shared. I am reminded of something told to me by a Tohno Odom women in Arizona. "The white man got lost when he came west because he never turned around to see where he came from". | -----------------------Re: Don Concho and the Saving of La Manzanilla
Posted by CraigB on April 23, 2021, 4:42 pm, in reply to "Re: Don Concho and the Saving of La Manzanilla"
Every town needs a Dragon | -----------------------Re: Don Concho and the Saving of La Manzanilla
Posted by Mary Jo on April 30, 2021, 10:13 pm, in reply to "Re: Don Concho and the Saving of La Manzanilla"
What a wonderful story! Any more up there in your Nikon? camera? What a pleasure to continue to protect the lovely LaManzanillo beach, with Don Concho's leadership! | -----------------------Re: Don Concho and the Saving of La Manzanilla
Posted by Cruz G on May 1, 2021, 11:42 am, in reply to "Re: Don Concho and the Saving of La Manzanilla"
Hola, David. I almost forgot to get back with the information you asked for. Don Concho passed and left his family in December, 2014. His granddaughter Ashley was especially attached to him and missed him so much. It was suspected that he was over 100 years old but he was clear-headed to the end. He was wonderful to converse with about La Manzanilla. Cruz | -----------------------Re: Don Concho and the Saving of La Manzanilla
Posted by david dagoli on May 1, 2021, 11:58 am, in reply to "Re: Don Concho and the Saving of La Manzanilla"
I appreciate the update. Don Concho was a consummate storyteller, and I’ll never forget that day. I’m glad you gave us the opportunity to connect. May he Rest In Peace. Gracias Cruz | -----------------------
Be sure to visit www.lamanzanilla.info for more information about La Manzanilla Mexico.
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