When I use to live in California I decided to take a few trips down across the boarder. I couldn’t wait to see what it was like in TJ Mexico, since I have heard so many different types of stories I had to check it out myself. I didn’t want to drive into Mexico so I took a trolley that dropped us off right at the USA and Mexican Boarders. When I got off the trolley I was surprised, I seen shops and even a McDonalds. (I guess I was surprised since this was the first time I ever came close to any of the USA boarders and I didn’t know what to expect).
When I looked to my right I could see this long Bridge, I thought wow do I have to walk over this bridge to get into Mexico? Of course I had too, it was a long brick bridge that took me over the roadway where you could see others coming and going into Mexico by bus, or truck or cars. I had to stop in the middle of the bridge to get a picture because behind me was a big sign that said Welcome to Mexico. (I wanted my friends and family to believe that I really did go here). Once I walked over the USA line into Mexico everything changed. I seen women and children sitting along the sidewalks with dirty old pans begging the people as they walked by for money, wow was I surprised. I have never seen this before but I guess it was kind of like those in California who are homeless and asking for money too. Then you had small children walking around asking you to buy cigarettes, and Chiclets and stuffed animals. I guess this is what their parents have them to do so they can help bring money into the household.
After that walk over the boarder and giving out money to the woman and buying Chiclets from the children I began my journey into the big wide world of TJ Mexico. Oh I forgot I wasn’t alone of course I was with my friends. I don’t know if I would travel to TJ with out a friend of family member. The streets were paved and all over the place you seen tents and small buildings set up. It reminded me of the “swap meets” in California at first. I was so excited to see what was in the shops. The Mexican people were rather nice to me, I was surprised, and I enjoyed trying to talk to them even though I didn’t know any Spanish or Mexican language.
There was one major thing that bothered me while I was here. The smell was sick, I guess someone told me that the smell was coming from those food venders. Someone also said that they meat that they put in the tacos are not real “beef” instead they are dogs and cats? Hmm I’m not sure about that, but the smell was sickly. I however never ate anything while I was down there.
The surroundings were so busy, every were that you looked there was always someone or something in your view. When we managed to make our way to the main street of TJ it was so busy. The streets were like jammed full of vehicles and they were bumper to bumper. At every corner there was some sort of attraction, I liked the guy on the one corner who had a donkey and a cart behind it. You could pay $5.00 US dollars and then you can get your picture taken on the cart with the horse and wear one of the sombreros. That was neat and fun and the cost was cheap.
Even thought the place was crowded I still enjoyed walking around seeing all the cool and different things. Then it was time for us to check out the bar situation. I heard before that if you were able to sit on the bar stool and see above the bar then they would serve you. I wasn’t yet 21 years old at this time so I was sure if I could drink or not. In the USA you have to be 21 to be served. The first bar we went into was a dump; it was dark and not many people inside it. I went to the bathroom and then decided no way I’m not sitting on that seat. The place wasn’t taken care of. We knew to always buy a bottle of beer that wasn’t open and never drink the water in TJ. The next bar we went to I believe was called “Bambies”, now that was more up to date. I was surprised however that inside this bar it was full of lap dancers and girls that hang all over the men. Of course the guy friends just loved this and we had to stay and drink a few. The cost of the beer was pretty cheap. I think we paid less then $1.00 US dollar for a bottle of beer.
On our way out we stopped at one last place to have a drink and it cost an arm and a leg for a mixed drink. I paid like $8.00 dollars for a large mixed drink. The taste was great, but now I was ready to get out of TJ and over to the US border to eat some good food. When you leave Mexico you have to go through what is called Customs I guess. This is were you have to show ID to prove that you are able to leave Mexico and that you are a USA citizen. This was kind of scary because they check all your bags and even your body to make sure you are not bringing anything illegal from Mexico. When you first go into Mexico you are not searched, this I thought was strange. How do they know if you are not bringing anything illegal into Mexico?
Conclusion of my visit
I have to say that I enjoyed this country and I would go back to visit it again. However I don’t believe that I could ever live in TJ Mexico, everything is so different then in the USA. I felt the people were great and friendly to me, and the place had some really nice homes and sites to see. It was a major awaking for me to see how others have to live. I know there are better places to visit in Mexico and I hope one day I can have the money to travel to other parts of this wonderful country and see what else it has to offer.
I also enjoyed the (bargaining) down in price for items that I wanted in Mexico. I was able to buy lots of things a lot cheaper down there then in the US.
- Since each time that I visited TJ I never spent the night there so I can’t really comment on the price of the Hotels and other places to stay. Like I said my trips to this place were alwyas just a one day visit. I never drank anything there except for the beer, and one mixed drink that was a strawberry daquire. So I was unable to write about the drinks they have to offer, and like the food I knew not to eat their food or drink the water so that is alwso why I didn’t mention any of the places to eat. I guess this review is based upon a 1 day visit and what I seen and done in just that one day. Mostly shopping and drinking is all we done.