wild and shaved

Tijuana was cool, I was saddened by all the panhandlers and the people. I mean you want to give all your money to them, but there's just too many of them. Overall it was a nice city, with lots of sights to see.

For a real tourist treat, go to Mercado Hidalgo. You will love this place, seriously. Tijuana contains fun places like Cien Años, Plaza Zapato, and Avenida Revolucion. Oh, and bring lots of sunscreen for the beaches! You'll get tanned allright!

I really hope Tijuana has changed since I was there - it needed to. Granted, it was a short trip and it was several years ago, but it still conjures up thoughts of bad smells, filth (including human feces on the sidewalk) and a trip back to a time I could never be nostalgic about. The people were nice enough - though not really what I would call friendly. But, they were mostly vendors and shopkeepers interested in relieving us of a few dollars so I'm sure that wasn't a very good cross-section of the population. This is the only part of Mexico I have ever visited and, considering its location and basic touristy purpose; I wouldn't really want to judge the entire country by this one short trip. Still, I do not long to return any time soon.

Just a short drive from Pacific Beach, California, Tijuana is a "different" world. Crossing the border by foot, you will be greeted my the armed Mexican Militia, accosted by money-hungry Mexicans as your American "look" smells "green" of dollar bills. Travel light as you are no more than a $10 cab ride from the American border... Be prepared to wait in longer lines crossing back into the USA than you will find at the clubs... Leave you watch (cell phones, too) behind... This underbelly has Vegas' influence as rules are loose and time is of little consequence. As you continue to imbibe the Mexican Drinks of choice, (ours was Sol with a few violent shots of Jose Cuervo) be thankful of the little luxuries provided in the bathroom. You will find an attendant who owns all the supplies including soap, towels and all the chicklets you can buy. Food and drink are at "happy hour" prices... so if you are on a budget and looking to "hit it large" then give this place a go! Be weary though... Hopefully, one way or another you will be able to brink back some indelible stories (my buddies found the wives of their dream, me... I lost my cell phone during the Mexican Tequila shakedown) Live it large my friends!

Having recently met my future wife in TJ, I am decidedly biased in favor of the place. TJ is a suprisingly warm and welcoming place as long as you are polite and willing to have a good time. Sure, you have to fend off the constant advances of street hustlers trying to seperate you from your dinero, but once you enter one of the clubs, all is forgotten as you enter a state of alcohol induced bliss(minus those damn whistles!) Check out "Animal" and the "Frog & Iguana", but be careful not to drive the schoolbus while drunk, you may fall out of your seat and hurt someone.

Tijuana is what it is. It's cheesy, dirty, gaudy, sketchy, and a complete tourist trap. It is also one heck of a good time. Avenida Revolucion is lined with clubs, strip bars, and vendors as well as people armed with decent English who are determined to sell you chiclets, be your guide, or otherwise influence the direction of your evening. Once inside the clubs, you will find pounding music (mostly american), cheap drinks, and waitstaff who will pour tequila down your throat, blow a whistle in your ear, and shake your head as hard as they can. One of the most interesting aspects of my trip to Tijuana was the trip home. At 4:30 in the morning on a Monday there was a line of what must have been 3,000 people waiting to cross the border into the US - virtually all Mexican, virtually all (based on their clothes) on their way to some manual labor type job. Standing in line as a drunk, privileged American, it really gives you perspective on the sacrifice that thousands of Mexicans are willing to make for the chance to do back breaking work at sub minimal wages. In an odd way, I found those people n line to be inspirational, and it made me proud to be part of a country where almost everyone is an immigrant of some kind, and where hard work is rewarded with a quality of life that you can't find elsewhere. The border community is an amazing phenomenon - if you want to read more about the dynamics of what is taking place on the Mexico-US border, pick up a copy of the "Amexica" issue of Time Magazine.