General Reports

[Belgrath]

Consumption of dog meat is taboo in Mexico. Your chica is probably pulling your leg., if it did taste unusual (slightly sweet maybe like venison) it might have been horse meat (Mexico is the 2nd biggest producer of horse meat in the world). Still that is probably very rare sight in TJ. Now if she was from Oaxaca and really wanted to pull a prank on you shes get a bag of spicy chapulines for you to snack on in your drunkeness! Folks always pass around weird rumors too about whats in various 'mystery meat' items anyways like hot dogs, canned meat products, sausages and meat bologna in the US so she might have believed it.

In Korea, northern parts of Vietnam, and some parts of China eating of dog meat is not too unusual though getting less common among the younger people.

[Sound7]

Has anyone investigated transport options from LAX to Tijuana and meet JNC 7?

Lot of folks fly into LAX as the flights are cheaper.

4 to 6 Hrs LAX to Tijuana: Fastest Way.

Fly Over Bus to Union train Station:

Take a direct Amtrak to San Diego or a direct bus to the border located close to Union Station,

Slowest Way:

Take the G Bus from the baggage area to Aviation Line (Green Line). It is a free bus (15 minute ride) Head upstairs after a purchase of a ticket. Head east towards Imperial Station, a 35 minute ride.

Next take Bus No. 2 to Norwalk Station then Metro link to Oceanside or Amtrak to San Diego's last stop and hop on a Red line heading towards San Ysidro. For Metro link passengers hope on a Surf line to Old Town then a Red Trolley to San Ysidro. Cross the bridge and walk into Tijuana. Head west towards the Arch of MacDonald and follow the directions as posted by others to take the cab or collective or a bus.

Other options other than Union Station: Hybrid way

A bus from Santa Ana train station to the Tijuana Border to save time, every two hours starting at 7am. Last bus is around 8 pm.

JNC 7

Riding a bicycle or walking? A whole day by bike and few days (5 days) by walking may help with JNC 7 improvements. Good blood circulation for great chica interaction.

JNC 7:

Google search " JNC 7"

Border wait on return:

http://apps.cbp.gov/bwt/

After reading PP2009's post I never thought about the times for the trolley, since I stay overnight in Tijuana.

From their Web-site:

San Ysidro to San Diego:

Mon-Fri first trolley leaves San Ysidro at 4:44 AM and last leaves at 12:59 AM

Sat-Sun first trolley leaves San Ysidro at 4:59 AM and the last leaves at 12:59 AM

San Diego to San Ysidro:

Mon-Fri first trolley leaves Barrio Logan at 4:10 AM, and the first trolley to leave Old Town is 4:45 AM; the last 12:05 AM

Sat-Sun first trolley leaves Barrio Logan at 4:25 AM and the first trolley to leave Old Town is 4:45 AM; the last 12:00 AM

The trolley's leave at 15 minute intervals according to their schedule. After the 11:30 PM trolley they apparently do not go all the way to Old Town and go no further than America Plaza. If you are using the trolley to get past America Plaza you must be on the trolley leaving at 11:30 PM, on a trolley prior to that time, or take another from of transportation from America Plaza to your destination.

Health & happiness to all.

[SuperSteve]

After reading PP2009's post I never thought about the times for the trolley, since I stay overnight in TJ.

From their Web-site:

San Ysidro to San Diego:
Mon-Fri first trolley leaves San Ysidro @ 4:44 AM and last leaves @ 12:59 AM
Sat-Sun first trolley leaves San Ysidro @ 4:59 AM and the last leaves @ 12:59 AM

San Diego to San Ysidro:
Mon-Fri first trolley leaves Barrio Logan @ 4:10 AM, and the first trolley to leave Old Town is 4:45 AM; the last 12:05 AM
Sat-Sun first trolley leaves Barrio Logan @ 4:25 AM and the first trolley to leave Old Town is 4:45 AM; the last 12:00 AM

The trolley's leave at 15 minute intervals according to their schedule. After the 11:30 PM trolley they apparently do not go all the way to Old Town and go no further than America Plaza. If you are using the trolley to get past America Plaza you must be on the trolley leaving at 11:30 PM, on a trolley prior to that time, or take another from of transportation from America Plaza to your destination.

Health & happiness to all................

[Sgt Perv]

Buying an all day pass for $5 will get you a bus ride to the trolley station plus a trolley ride (blue line) to the border.

There are two buses you can take to the trolley station, 923 and 992

The 923 is a 6 min walk to and Harbor Dr & Harbor Island Dr

The 992 is Lindbergh Field & terminal 1 (Baggage Claim).

Both take you to America Plaza Trolley Station where you get on the blue line.

Taxi in Mexico will accept 50 peso to go to HK which is about $3. 75 USD. If you have pesos, use them from the beginning. I personally, do not use USD south of the border.

From airport to port of entry, figure on a total time of about 1 hour and 20 minutes using bus and trolley.

[SuperSteve]

I edited my last post due to an error in turning right at the first light after exiting the I5 North. It is actually left, as the post now states.

Any other errors, please note.

Health & happiness to all................

[Phordphan]

SS pretty much summed it up.

I will say there is another cambio with better rates than the one on your left as you enter. If you go through the throng of yellow cab guys, it's there next to the "rest area" tables. You can't miss it. It has a big sign.

Just tell the cabbies to wait a minute, then change you $$.

[SuperSteve]

Derekj6926 is absolutely right.

The bus 992 stops at the airport about every 15 minutes. For a couple of bucks you will get to Kettner & Broadway, America Plaza/San Diego Station. From there you take the "Blue Line" (there is an Orange Line) trolley to San Ysidro, it takes 45 minutes. Exiting the trolley walk towards 10 o'clock and follow the crowd walking up the ramp, and over the freeway. Once you exit on the other side turn right and go through the first turn style. If you want to exchange money there is a cambio on the left. Once through, you will go through another turn style and the cabs are about 300 feet straight ahead.

Tell the cab driver that you want to go to Adelitas, it will be $5.00. Some may try to tell you about other, and better clubs, just say no. IMO,l don't go to the clubs on Ave. Revolucion. You will be in the Zona in about 10 minutes, depending upon traffic.

There are five main bars in the Zona for Gringos, a sixth if you count Mermaid's. Adelitas, Hong Kong, Chicago Club, Las Chavelas, & and Bar Tropical. The last two are more for locals, but if you speak at least a little Spanish, some jewels can be found. Rates are $40-$60 (usually 60 unless you are a super negotiator) for a half hour, and $12-$15 for the room.

Take a walk around the block, and on the back side of Adelitas/Hong Kong(walk through Hong Kong also) is the "Alley". There are several clubs on the back side, they cater mainly to locals, but have cheap, cold beer. There will be many SG's there. Street Girls will quote some very low rates, and some are very good looking, but if you want sin ropa, with multiple positions, negotiate it all. They will usually agree to $200-$300 pesos for multiple options, sin ropa, not including the room charge of $5-$7.

If you are hungry, the street vendors sell seafood, tacos, hot dogs, that are inexpensive and filling. No one that I know has gotten sick from eating at them.

If you choose not to stay the night, when ready to leave grab on of the cabs and tell him La Linea, it will be $5.00 to get to the border. Take the trolley back to wherever you choose to stay.

IMO, do not drive across the border, especially in a rental car. Not only are you rolling the dice, but getting back can take several hours depending upon the time you leave. If you choose to rent a car take the 5 freeway south to a sign stating Last U.S. Exit. Do not go past this or you have no choice but to drive into Mexico. At the light turn left, going back over the freeway, at the bottom of the bridge, turn right. At the next light, Jack-in-the-Box turn left. Just before the road bends right, turn left up the hill into the parking lot. It is 5 dollars for 8 hours. From there walk down the hill, turn right, at the trolleys, go left, and follow the directions above from there.

If I have something wrong, some of the vets will hopefully correct this.

Health & happiness to all...............

[Derekj6926]

If you fly into San Diego, when you leave the baggage claim area just outside you can take a cab for about ten bucks, or there is a bus for a buck or two that will take you to Sante Fe Station or the America Station which are both the same place for the Trolley, buy a $2.50 ticket there in a machine on the side walk where you will be picked up by the trolley and that will take you to the border, get off the train walk across and a five dollar taxi ride will take you anywhere you want to go in TJ paradise.

Guys,
Used to have some biz in SD so I would rent a car and drive to or across the border, park and play.

I am thinking to fly down to SD next week and wonder if there is a more budget way to cross over. Since the airport isnt in Chula Visa or San Yisidro, I am not sure if there is any decent way to get there from the SD airport or my possible nearby hotel.

Can anyone offer tips? I will of course have to manage back to CA each night to my hotel. (or if you know a super cheap car rental place?)

thanks

[Formerlybnc]

Guys,
Used to have some biz in SD so I would rent a car and drive to or across the border, park and play.

I am thinking to fly down to SD next week and wonder if there is a more budget way to cross over. Since the airport isnt in Chula Visa or San Yisidro, I am not sure if there is any decent way to get there from the SD airport or my possible nearby hotel.

Can anyone offer tips? I will of course have to manage back to CA each night to my hotel. (or if you know a super cheap car rental place?)

thanks

[Fitnsuccessful]

Have not heard but there was more damage near down town San Diego than near the border San Ysidro. Received a text from an amiga in TJ saying she was OK and asking if I was. Replied I'm still kicking although the place was rocking and rolling for what seemed like 40 seconds.

It was east of TJ/SD ie Mexicali/Calexico. No damage in SD. It did roll for 15-20 seconds.

And TBH.. not ALL that much dmg in Mexicali given their building codes/structures. I read not very much at all in TJ.

Oh.... that's a quake.

[Party God]

As long as those masonry buildings have adequate rebar, foundations that are deep enough, the damage wouldn't be severe. That was one of the biggest problems with Haiti... no rebar reinforcement.

I can guarantee you that everything including the freaking arch will fall hard to the ground with a 7.2 quake, everything is old brick and concrete over there.

[Member #4450]

I can guarantee you that everything including the freaking arch will fall hard to the ground with a 7.2 quake, everything is old brick and concrete over there.

Blue Nose, glad to see you posting again, I thought you got married, kidnapped, became a religious man or something! Country John was very worry about you LOL
Glad to see old members still around!

[SuperSteve]

I was in Las Chavelas Saturday night and saw a "show" that for this old fart was surreal.

In the front dance floor a guy was doing a simulated "beating" of a woman. While I don't thin he actually ever hit her, was really dragging her around by her hair, and pouring beer over her. This seemed to get the crowd going from the cheers each time he did it, both men and women.

It seemed like the ladies were into it as much as the guys. Many of the girls had their cell phones out, and were taking movies of it. I was somewhat amazed by the ladies reactions to it.

Not my style, so I left, and am not sure where it went from there.

Heath & happiness to all.................

[Sound7]

Earthquake reistance structure in TJ. Since most of the building are older and questionable building standard it would be difficult to predict the outcome in a 7.2 quake in TJ .

I do not know the difference between Mexicali and TJ soil structure and building code.

Mexicali had reported two death and some structural damage.

Wasn't there for the earthquake, but I gather TJ got a good shaking. Wouldn't want to be in many of those buildings during an earthquake...even to the untrained eye, they're not up to a developed country's building code...a real shame, and part of the reason why natural disasters always seem to hit developing countries the hardest.

[Blue Nose]

Turns out it was politically motivated. The inspector guy is in the pocket of one of the candidates for mayor of TJ, so he was just flexing his muscle (pun intended). On the other hand, all these girls working without getting tested is not OK either so if it gets sorted out, then that´s not a bad thing. There is a push to get the girls off the street and into the hotel lobbies, but that´s a bit into the future. You´ll probably see a lot of the hotels remodel their entranceways in the effort to pacify the powers that be, but girls posting on the street is a bit of a tradition here in TJ, so I won´t be looking for major changes any time soon.

I remember the Zona before the streets and sidewalks were fixed and I kinda miss it but the new look is much better.

Country John

Yup, this reminds me of the old days, just as they were putting in the street renovations in the late summer of 2004. There was a simultaneous effort to get the street girls off the street and into the hotel lobbies, and it worked...for about a week. After that, the girls organized themselves into a loud, noisy group of demonstrators and marched their way through TJ. I was there to witness it one day, and it's a site I'll never forget: only in Latin America could an event like that occur! Anyway, they got what they wanted, and soon after the SGs were back on the street. Could be that this is another push to put them back in the hotel lobbies.

As of last weekend though, there were no signs that SGs were banned from the streets. It was business as usual, although I for one thought things were slower than normal (even for these difficult times), likely due to the Easter holiday. Wasn't there for the earthquake, but I gather TJ got a good shaking. Wouldn't want to be in many of those buildings during an earthquake...even to the untrained eye, they're not up to a developed country's building code...a real shame, and part of the reason why natural disasters always seem to hit developing countries the hardest.