"TJ"

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My first trip south of the border was certainly interesting. Unfortunately I don't have any pictures, and I really don't have much to say about it. I almost feel guilty for counting this as a trip to Mexico, but surprisingly I saw few other Americans, so I suppose it's different than being in San Diego. I was somewhat surprised that I didn't even have to show a passport to get in, and it was also very easy to get out, although I suspect being a US citizen helps in that process.

I went with three people I didn't know 2 weeks ago, and it was a fun group. After a quick taxi ride to Avenida Revolucion, the happening part of town, we had a dinner at a place that could have seemed mostly normal a few miles north except for the loud music that wouldn't be tolerated nearly as well. After that is was mostly a case of continuously turning down offers for just about anything you can imagine. A lot of people spoke at least some English, which isn't surprising because I suspect tourism is the biggest seller in the town. Revolucion street probably is the most touristy place in the city as well, but the taxi rides to and from the border made it apparent that it was probably best we stuck to the area, as everywhere else was pretty dark and dead.

While it didn't blow me away, it was definitely an unusual experience. If I go again I would probably take the advice of just about everyone in California and drive 100 miles or so south of Tijuana to "real Mexico". I learned that I look very American in Mexico, but it's fun to get all the attention every once in a while.

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