Counter Shakedown Tactics
[QUOTE]What upset me the most is when they went for my wallet first, and started counting what monies I had in it.[/QUOTE]Here is what I have been doing to minimize my risk during a typical Zona Norte trip:
I created a special TJ wallet that contains COPIES of my drivers license, auto registration, car and health insurance information. All of these items are easily duplicated and replaced if lost. I also carry an emergency credit card that I can easily cancel, just in case the car breaks down. No sense carrying a bunch of valuables you don't need in the Zona Norte.
Before my trip I obtain as much cash as I think I'm going to spend, plus a $200 reserve. I carry no $50 or $100 bills, and I make sure that I have a good supply of small bills. Do this at a safe ATM in the United States, the better to avoid the muggers and scamsters that lurk near ATMs in Tijuana.
Before I park on the U.S. side of the border I pocket my drivers license and leave $100 in the wallet. Then I hide it in the car someplace where a smash-and-grab guy wouldn't think to look. You don't want to do this right after you park, in case somebody is observing from afar.
When I walk into Mexico I am carrying only my drivers license, my fun money, and $100 in reserve. I have the money divided up into several pockets, so that I make small purchases without waving around a big bankroll.
My buddy Mr. Wood often enjoys the company of his pal Victor during our visits to the Zona Norte. But I buy it in advance and carry only a single dose. In my view the chance of getting stopped and searched by the police is almost zero in the pedestrian plaza headed south, or at the yellow taxi stand. So I'm comfortable carrying my little blue pill there. I always take a yellow taxi to the Zona Norte. I realize I might save a little by walking over to the competing cabs, but I prefer the most direct route to the Zona Norte.
In the Zona Norte I spend as little time on the street as possible and I stay clear of those places where the choke hold muggers have been reported in the past. (Avenida Constitucion, south of The Alley, especially on the east side, and the street that leads toward the bridge.)
When I'm walking between clubs I give a wide berth to anybody who tries to approach me. That way the police cannot use my interaction with a local (whether it be accidental, or a setup by somebody working with them) to justify stopping me on "suspicion of buying drugs."
As the evening wears on I retire occasionally to a stall in the mens room to rearrange my money so that it remains easily accessible but largely invisible to anybody else. When it's time to take my Vitamin V, I am similarly discreet.
For my trip home, I get in the nearest taxi. Again, any small savings that I may realize by looking for another cab is not worth spending the additional time on the street. During the ride I count and consolidate my remaining cash into a neat roll that I get easily extract from my pocket. Generally, I have about $100 on me, mostly in smaller bills. I put my drivers license in the same pocket. Ideally, I use a shirt pocket for this stash.
I don't think there is anything to be gained by alighting anywhere other than the usual taxi drop off point "cerca de Sentri." In my opinion the police have all approaches to the pedestrian inspection building under surveillance, so you might as well try to get lost in the crowd walking north. I always take care getting out of the taxi. The pavement there is uneven, and the taxis often stop very close to the curb, which makes it awkward to get onto the sidewalk. You don't want to look sloppy drunk. First, it gives the police a pretext to stop you. Second, I think the police target drunk guys because they think they are more compliant.
If I am stopped by the police, I carefully remove my cash and license from my pocket. I say "carefully" because even though it's clearly a shakedown and the officers have no reason to fear you, cops are still cops and they get nervous when people go fishing around in their pockets.
I hand my license to the officer, WHILE KEEPING MY CASH IN HAND. If you are polite and cooperative, this move will seem totally natural. At this point if I'm ordered to "assume the position," my pockets will be empty. If the cops want to take my money, they will literally have to demand that I hand it over. It's been my experience that they won't do that.
Sometimes the officers will ask why I don't have a wallet. If I'm feeling snarky I'll say I'm worried about street crime. If not, I'll just shrug. Even though I speak some Spanish I always claim that I don't. That gives me a small advantage in that the officers are not using their mother tongue and I can understand some of what they say to each other.
Worst case scenario is that I encounter totally corrupt cops who brazenly steal my money without any pretext that I've committed an offense. But in more than 15 years of visits that has never happened. And even if it did the loss of $100 or so wouldn't trouble me. I'd return to my car somewhat irked, but not otherwise inconvenienced. I'd still have my license and enough money back at the car to pay for parking and a late night burrito de carne asada at Roberto's.
Comments, critiques and suggestions always welcome.
Bunky
[size=-2][b][u]EDITOR'S NOTE[/u]:[/b] [blue]I certainly hope that the author or somebody else will post a link to this report in the Reports of Distinction thread. Please [url=http://www.internationalsexguide.info/forum/announcement-reportsofdistinction.php?]Click Here[/url] for more information.[/blue][/size]
TJ Trip report from 7/9 to 7/14 (Part 1)
I was down in San Diego for a business trip the week of 7/9 through 7/14. Luckily for me I was able to work part-time some days and not at all other days. So I ended up spending quite a bit of time in TJ. As usual all of the informaiton I learned here is helpful in getting the most out of a TJ trip.
I got down to San Diego in the early evening on 7/9. After working some time I headed down to TJ for the evening. AB was not very crowded on a Monday night and the rest of the places were fairly dead. I had planned to spend some time in Bar Tropical here after the various reports and information from CJ. I was unable to find any suitable chicas there this entire week. I really don't like the place much with the lack of a strip show and mostly chicas that speak no engligh. I did buy several chicas a drink in here hoping to find one and they were mostly polite and not pushy. In fact one sat in a booth with me for 20m while I felt her up but I just didn't see any interest there. A few asked about the room but I just wasn't in to it.
The first night in TJ is like overload for someone who gets there 5-6 nights a year. I spent almost 90m in AB looking over the options. The usual chicas are there but damn it is hard to choose in that situation for me. I also checked out the show at HK. They had the shaving show up stairs. I actually bought a lap dance from one of the women I like there. She is an excellent dancer and all things are one during the dance. However for less you can get a SG + room. Oh, well it was much better than a $20 lap dance in LA to be sure.
I ended up with a SG the first night. She was OK but nothing great. I paid her $30 for Sin Ropa, CBJ, positions. The CBJ might have been 60s so that was lame. She wanted a tip but I just laughed. I was tired. I headed home around 11:30pm. The line to cross into the US was around 45m.
Monday I had to work most of the day. By the time I make it back to TJ it is almost 8:00pm. I stop by the pharmacy right past the first exit to TJ. The pricing here for $13 for Cialis is the best in TJ I have found for name brand wrapped product. I head down to AB. I have a few beers in the joint. I also spend some time in CC and Bar Tropical. I again find no talent in Bar tropical that I would pick. I talk with a real hotty from AB. I was planning on 2 chicas tonight and the first was the hottest one I could find regardless of all else. I am shocked by this one. She is a real stunner and I saw her other nights but with fake tits. But she offers me $100 service including BBBJ and CIM. I am pretty wild but that is crazy. She kept saying best service. I skipped her entirely after buying a drink as I am thinking of what she may have. I find another chica named paoline. She is about 5'6" with great waist and large fakies. She is really very average in the room and starts rushing after 10m. Luckily I last another 5+ and pound her so more. She is a 9. 5 on looks with an awesome body but 3-4 on service. I catch a cab to revolution to a pharmacy. The first one asks for $20 for see. I laugh and walk around. I end up paying $16. As I waste some more time in HK waiting for the see to work I have another 6-7 drinks. I am pretty buzzed by now. I try out tropical again but don't even buy a chica drink this time. I find a nice 7-8 chica in CC. The place is dead on a Tuesday so we go for $50 and she gives good service. I would say she spent about 15m with massage and dancing before the CBJ. While she is only average body with an average face the service is great. Her name was Laura I think. It took me a while with pop #2 so I am glad she was patient.
The border wait was pretty bad again tonight. I waited over 30m at 1:15am. I had missed the trolley so I had to take a cab back to downtown SD. So overall after 2 of 5 days I have had a good time. Spent a lot of $$ on numerous drinks, dances, chicas, taxis, see, but overall a good time.
[size=-2][b][u]EDITOR'S NOTE[/u]:[/b] [blue]I certainly hope that the author or somebody else will post a link to this report in the Reports of Distinction thread. Please [url=http://www.internationalsexguide.info/forum/announcement-reportsofdistinction.php?]Click Here[/url] for more information.[/blue][/size]