General Reports

[Owl_]

Sorry if this question has already been asked. I'm still not clear if a passport or birth cert. is required if I visit and leave Mexico today.

I read where a birth cert. is required after Jan. 31. Unfortunately, I'm visiting SD today and I don't have my passport or birth cert. Only have a CA license.

Want to hit Tj tonight!

Thanks

You should be OK to cross the border and back with only your California drivers license up until the 31st. After that you will need your drivers license and your birth certicate or your passport.

[Reinaldo]

I heard earlier reports that VivaMex was only going to be down for about 1 week when they did move, but there is some serious construction that needs to be done on the new location. Looks like it might be a fair amount of time, maybe like until sometime in Feb.

As recently as last week the plan was to open on Saturday 1-19 with only the ground floor operational.

[Hobbyguy10]

Sorry if this question has already been asked. I'm still not clear if a passport or birth cert. is required if I visit and leave Mexico today.

I read where a birth cert. is required after Jan. 31. Unfortunately, I'm visiting SD today and I don't have my passport or birth cert. Only have a CA license.

Want to hit Tj tonight!

Thanks

[Country John]

The prices won't necessarily go up, at Viva Mex, because the rent at the new place is a lot lower than the old one. This was the biggest reason for the move.

I think he was still on the hook for the restaurant portion, I'm not sure. The new space is much larger it seems and it is certainly very well planned out. I'm anxious to see ti when the paint is dry. He did an excellent job.

[Roguesta]

The prices won't necessarily go up, at Viva Mex, because the rent at the new place is a lot lower than the old one. This was the biggest reason for the move.

[Owl_]

Now the passport card does make sense for people who live and cross the border frequently. But it looks like they are saying that you will receive them in the Spring of 2008 at the earliest!

On Feb 1, the State Department will begin accepting applications for a new "passport card" which is for traveling over land into the US from Canada or Mexico. It is $45 for people w/o passports or $20 for those with passports.

http://travel.state.gov/passport/ppt...card_3926.html

For those of us living near the borders, this might make sense if you don't want to have your passport book or carry your birth certificate with you.

[Country John]

I stopped by VivaMex yesterday and found the whole place stripped down and a sign saying they have moved. Fortunately, it's only about 50 feet further down the street heading to 4th street (same side) near the strip club Beverly Hills.

I heard earlier reports that VivaMex was only going to be down for about 1 week when they did move, but there is some serious construction that needs to be done on the new location. Looks like it might be a fair amount of time, maybe like until sometime in Feb.

Sounds like they will have more rooms (and hopefully more good masseuses, and being attractive wouldn't hurt either). Not sure if the prices will get a bump up due to their costs of a new place, hope not. Generally, the massages there have been the best I've gotten in TJ, especially considering the price of $25 for 45 min or $35 for 60 min.

He moved overnight Saturday, I took a tour of the new space with the owner after I met up with him on Revo during a Saturday evening stroll, we're friends and have had some interesting meetings over the years. The new place is fantastic and will be 1000% better than the old spa, you wait and see.

The spa is totally spa. No sex of any kind, no happy endings that you might expect. It's gringo owned and run by his lovely Latina wife. The place gets rave reviews. The expanded services (medical/cosmetic) will be great for the girls and there will be an MD on staff.

I would strongly suggest visiting VivaMex when they open in the new spot. If you've been there before, you will be very surprised.

Country John

Remember, it is NOT a massage parlor but a legit spa, so don't ask.

[Tjmee]

At those massage places, what do they do?

Do you get naked or do they?

[MasterPelican]

JANUARY 31, 2008
U.S. and Canadian citizens will need to present either a WHTI-compliant document, or a government-issued photo ID, such as a driver’s license, plus proof of citizenship, such as a birth certificate. DHS also proposes to begin alternative procedures for U.S. and Canadian children at that time.

LATER
At a later date, to be determined, the departments will implement the full requirements of the land and sea phase of WHTI. The proposed rules require most U.S. citizens entering the United States at sea or land ports of entry to have either a U.S. passport; a U.S. passport card; a trusted traveler card such as NEXUS, FAST, or SENTRI; a valid Merchant Mariner Document (MMD) when traveling in conjunction with official maritime business; or a valid U.S. Military identification card when traveling on official orders.

[Alguem]

I stopped by VivaMex yesterday and found the whole place stripped down and a sign saying they have moved. Fortunately, it's only about 50 feet further down the street heading to 4th street (same side) near the strip club Beverly Hills.

I heard earlier reports that VivaMex was only going to be down for about 1 week when they did move, but there is some serious construction that needs to be done on the new location. Looks like it might be a fair amount of time, maybe like until sometime in Feb.

Sounds like they will have more rooms (and hopefully more good masseuses, and being attractive wouldn't hurt either). Not sure if the prices will get a bump up due to their costs of a new place, hope not. Generally, the massages there have been the best I've gotten in TJ, especially considering the price of $25 for 45 min or $35 for 60 min.

[Country John]

That is exactly what I was referring to. You may consider the loan not tied to his business but that is the nature of disclosure-to let people draw their own conclusions based on full knowledge. Thank you for your response.

You're welcomed.

You know, I never considered the bail when referring people to his service. Hard to believe but it is true. When the case is finished, the bail is refunded in full so there is very little risk and like I said, he's my friend. We expect that his case will be dismissed and the bail money returned this year sometime so there is no need to encumber his business, and no need for me to be concerned about it.

The fact is that he runs a great service and he doesn't need Country John to advertise, his customers do a much better job than I. I just wish him the best of luck in continuing a positive operation.

Country John

[Super Gato]

From the other posts, and web links, I believe they have postponed the passport requitement, but will still want a driver's license AND a birth certificate after Jan. 31.

PP

On Feb 1, the State Department will begin accepting applications for a new "passport card" which is for traveling over land into the US from Canada or Mexico. It is $45 for people w/o passports or $20 for those with passports.

http://travel.state.gov/passport/ppt...card_3926.html

For those of us living near the borders, this might make sense if you don't want to have your passport book or carry your birth certificate with you.

[Phordphan]

Awesome! Its cause my passport is from when I was like 5, and I lost my birth certificate so it would be a hassle to get a new passport.

From the other posts, and web links, I believe they have postponed the passport requitement, but will still want a driver's license AND a birth certificate after Jan. 31.

PP

[Pumphernickel]

It shouldn't be that big of a hassle to get your passport - it just may take you a little longer. Since your passport was issued so long ago and before you were sixteen though, it will be like applying for a new one. You'll need proof of citizenship and a photo ID. To get your BC you'll have to contact the Hall of Records in the county where you were born, find out what info they need from you, mail it to them and they'll mail you a copy with the official seal on it. For more info on obtaing passports check out usps.com. They have a link to the Dept. of State's section on passport info. Sounds like a bigger hassle than it really is but the biggest pain is that the Dept. of State is getting bogged down with orders and are taking a lot longer to process them so don't put it off too long.

Roguesta, I was wondering where you heard it was being pushed back another year? Someone else saidi that it was until June '09 but when I asked a border agent the last time I crossed he told me it was June of this year. Just curious.

Pump

[Reinaldo]

I did post a $10,000 bail for the owner a year ago when he was busted after being set-up by TJPD, that might be what you are referring to but that is between him and I. The "loan" remains unpaid and I, again, have not tied that to his business.

That is exactly what I was referring to. You may consider the loan not tied to his business but that is the nature of disclosure-to let people draw their own conclusions based on full knowledge. Thank you for your response.