Fish Tales and Border Adventures

---

We had a good visit with Mary Ann. She and I went to what we thought was a normal seafood market………but it was a Mexican/Filipino place where English was not the language. The fish were all “whole” in large tubs filled with ice. You had to pick them up with tongs and put them in a plastic bag so the guy behind the counter could cut them. However, they don’t “fillet” but they would “butterfly.” So, we ended up with a hacked up hunk of fish (at least the head/gills/guts/tail was gone), and Alan had to finish the job so we could cook it. By the time we got to the fillet, there was barely enough for 3…..but it turned out OK.

Of course, after Mary Ann left, Alan and I found the Point Loma Seafood Market yesterday and spent $45 on fresh fish. This fish was filleted and beautifully displayed……..Pacific red snapper, sea bass, halibut and a Hawaiian tombo, which is like albacore tuna, according to the fishmonger. Had the halibut last night and will have the snapper tonight with a cilantro lime butter. Since we don’t have room for many cookbooks, we use epicurious.com for recipies on the fly - a great website and easy to search.

Mary Ann and I were held hostage (not really) in Tijiuana the other day. Going into Mexico is a piece of cake, you just walk right across the border…..getting back to the USA, however, was a 2-hour ordeal which involved a taxi, a bus, and a detour to Otay Mesa (another border town) and back to San Ysidro to retrieve our car. The problem was a four-hour wait at Tijiuana to cross back to San Ysidro. For some reason, the line was really long the day we picked and no one could explain why.

We also spent Monday at the San Diego Zoo. Considering it is so famous, perhaps our expectations were too high, but I thought it was a little less than wonderful. All in all, we had a good day and enjoyed the sights.

We leave Chula Vista on Sunday and head north a little way to Santee Lakes. Alan and I will visit the San Diego Wild Animal Park since it is further north, and see how it compares to the Zoo.

---

Photos

Tijiuana Taco Bell
Is this the original one???

Flamingos at the Zoo
They were pretty but stinky.

The Boa and Mary Ann
Glad it was behind glass

Galapagos Turtles
Huge, and in need of a little Nivea lotion.

Mama Panda Bear
Hanging out on the rocks

Adorable Koala Bear
Last zoo picture before battery died on camera