Tijuana, Mexico
February 5, 2003
Okay, its almost time for your tour of Tijuana! (wink).. but first, as to my own situation.. still no job.. still waiting to see if I get admitted to this Graduate program, and still just kind of debating on all of the different options. I didn't really account that I might breakup with my girlfriend and be going at San Diego solo.. but here I am!! Oh well, it could be worse.. it could have been we were moving to Milwaukee or something, and I'd be stranded there. If I'd had known this would be my situation, I would have definetely opted for either New York City or Korea or somewhere else after Michigan. But since I'm here, I'll just wait to hear about graduate school admittance and look for work. Anyhow, back to our main purpose, your Tijuana tour!!
I've already been to Tijuana 3 times this week. Mainly because there isn't much esle for me to do besides that. The best way is to take the trolley from San Diego, it only costs about $2 each way. I have yet to do this, but its the best way to 'do' Tijuana from San Diego. Personally, I've just been driving my car to the border and walking over. There are a few parking lots that charge between $5-7. There is also a parking lot of all stores that give you 3-hour free parking. However I don't recommend trying it, because if they see you parking your car and leaving the lot, they will tow your car at your expense. I know this is a fact, because thats what happened to me on my 3rd trip down there!! Then you have to find the frickin' towing company and pay $212.50 to get your frickin' car back!! SO DON"T DO THAT! Damn that sucked!! LIke I really have the money for that.. I should have just left my car in that lot!! Then I wouldn't have to pay nearly $2/gallon in gasoline!! Okay, anyhow.. I'm kind of over that now.. NOT! Damnit!! Damn frickin' car!! Okay... anyhow..
Back to Tijuana! Oh, another great thing about this bordertown right here, is usually on the American side I found a few great cheap chinese restaurants. One has chicken and rice.. and man, its good! $2.75 for that plate which is the cheapest restaurant in California probably. (Things are pretty expensive here). I've been driving down there just for that lunch (save myself a few dollars from anywhere else around here including the cheapest fast-food options).. anyhow.. as you can see, I have some serious money issues right now.
Okay, back to TJ (as locals call Tijuana). Its incredibly easily to just walk over the border. There are basically a few turnstill gates you pass through, and suddenly you are in Mexico. My first time across I was expected to be accosted by mobbing thronging people trying to get my money. But I crossed over and nothing. I walked down the street awhile, and nothing. Everything was strangely normal. Although, I have yet to be in Tijuana at nighttime, which I hear everything is completely different, and its best advised to take taxis at nighttime. But my three ventures over have all been during the daylight hours. Each time I've arrived by about 1pm and out of Mexico by about 6pm, more or less. Probably one of the most interesting things I've noticed is that traffic stops for pedestrians. I mean, there are some major roads where its controlled, but the uncontrolled small intersections, you just walk out and the car waits for you. If they see you wanting to cross, they just stop and wave you on. I don't know if its like that everywhere, or just right along the familiar paths I've been walking.
Anyhow, when you first get in, I just cross the street and head west, and it enters into a plaza, with some store owners trying to get you to look at their products. I just keep walking and then there is another overpass crossing a river or something. On the other side of this is Avenida Revolucion which is the main tourist and nightlife area. There are tons of drinking establishments and everything else. (Supposedly, this is also where Carlos Santana wiffed out guitar riffs for years and years until he became the sensation he ultimately became).. anyhow, I've just been walking around in this area, and they have cheap beer prices - usually like 2 coronas for $2.75 (same price as my chicken and rice at the border). Anyhow, I just like to walk around here, practice my Spanish, and kill an afternoon. Then I've been slipping back into the USA right around sunset time. Once the sun begins to set, I start my trip back.
Getting back into the USA is fairly easy. One option you will sometimes see is you can rent a bicycle for $5 and walk through the bicyle lane making your wait cut in half. If you have an extra $5, this is a good option. For the most part, you just stand in line for about an hour, and slowly you get to the immigration officer, and they ask you a few questions and let you go. Then you are back in the US of A.
Anyhow, I've yet to adequately explore Mexico to its full extent, but its a start. Actually, I probably just stumbled on what the mass majority of people do when they cross over. There are definetely other areas, I just don't know what they are yet. But probably another time or two in this current pattern, and I'll switch it and find some other areas of the city or of Northwest Mexico to explore.
San Diego, California:
February 10, 2003
You can email me at:
Wintermoon2@yahoo.com