Experience Speaks from the Heart of Los Cabos, Mexico

WHL Group
24 June 2010

An interview with Norma Gazga of Gray Line Los Cabos, Mexico

Every month, we delve into the travel experiences of experts in the industry, especially people in the extended WHL Group network. This month we talk to Norma Gazga, who works as Customer Service Manager for Gray Line Los Cabos, based in Los Cabos, Mexico.

With more than 20 years of experience in tourism, Norma has worked all over Mexico, including Acapulco, Cancun, Puerto Vallarta and Los Cabos. Norma’s passion is travel and she has visited many places, like Spain, Morocco, France and the United States.

Norma Gazga of Gray Line Los Cabos, the whl.travel local connection in Los Cabos, Mexico

Norma Gazga is a key member of Gray Line Los Cabos, the whl.travel local connection in Los Cabos, Mexico

WHL Group: Which is your favourite WHL Group destination and which would you most like to visit?

Norma: Belarus would be my favourite, but I would like to visit Egypt the most.

WHLG: What would you never travel without?

Norma: I would never travel without a pocket destination guide, traveller’s cheques and ID!

WHLG: What do you miss most about home when travelling?

Norma: Homemade Mexican food!

WHLG: What’s the most interesting trip you’ve ever taken?

Norma: A few years ago, I visited some friends in Morocco. Once there, I spent a fabulous time travelling on a camel in the desert and visiting local towns. I went with my friends to a local wedding party that was three days long! I had to wear their traditional clothing and learn to eat and dance like a local. It was a memorable time – their food was tasty! The different culture and the openness of the people made this trip one I will never forget.

Scenes like this - traditional Berber houses in the Valley of Roses - are typical of those seen by travellers in Morocco like Norma. The place gets its name from the miles of pink roses that act as hedgerows dividing villagers' land.

WHLG: What is your funniest travel experience?

Norma: Again I have to say Morocco, travelling on a camel with my friends around the towns. I was so afraid because it was my first time camel riding and the camel was so big! After a few tries and laughs I could mount and ride with no problem! I must have been a funny spectacle for all my friends and the locals who were used to riding every day, but they were happy to help whenever I needed it and I had the time of my life!

WHLG: What is your scariest travel experience?

Norma: When I was a student, I went to Paris to learn French with a girlfriend. We had planned to rent a little apartment but we could not get one before our trip. We arrived in the morning, took a taxi and asked the driver to take us to a budget hotel. The guy drove us into the red-light district and we didn’t notice until late at night! Nothing happened to us, but we were a little surprised about being driven there.

WHLG: If you could go on holiday with anyone famous – living or dead – who would you take?

Norma: Anthony Hopkins would be my choice.

WHLG: Describe the best and worst accommodation you’ve ever stayed in.

Norma: The best accommodation was a country chateau on the outskirts of Paris. I loved the old décor and architecture and the beautiful view of the French fields. It was like being in a dream. The worst I have to say was the small hotel in the red-light district.

One of the most famous landmarks in Los Cabos is the beautiful sea arch (el Arco)

One of the most famous landmarks in Los Cabos, on the southern tip of Mexico's Baja Peninsula, is the beautiful sea arch (el Arco) at Land's End in the town of Cabo San Lucas - a popular spot with sea lions!

WHLG: Describe your best travel memory.

Norma: Last year my daughter and I made a trip of the “Independence Route” of Mexico. The itinerary included several historical cities with a lot of sightseeing tours. We really enjoyed walking around the places and eating traditional candies and dishes.

WHLG: Please briefly explain what you think local travel is.

Norma: I strongly believe it is based on the interaction of the tourist with a whole place (the culture, the activities). It’s about the understanding of being part of a different location in the world while you’re travelling and the benefit of the increased knowledge you will have about the world at the end of the tour.

WHLG: In what ways do you see local travel benefiting the country in which you live?

Norma: As we live in a globalised world, the benefit to our country will be the understanding of our culture, our way of living and our traditions. Being respected for what we are and what we are willing to share with the world! Nowadays in Los Cabos, it’s normal to see foreign visitors eating at the local food stands and walking around the plaza during the regional fiestas, talking Spanish and willing to discover every little detail of our everyday way of life.