General Reports

[Baxter Slade]

The post from Hugotheman about possible Phorphan sighting got me thinking about an experience I once had. Just curious if anyone else has seen someone they know in the zona, when neither of you care to be seen by the other.

I once walked into a bar and thought I recognized an associate from work, and I froze, I thought for a moment that "it's over, I'm busted". Fortunately for me, it was only someone who bore a very similar resemblance, and wasn't the person I thought it was. Upon this relief I quickly ordered a shot of tequila to celebrate dodging a bullet.

Running into fellow mongers is always fun, but being seen by someone you'd rather not see you is a bummer, anyone else have it happen to you?

Keg

Several years ago I was drunk and watching a football game inside Bar Tropical. And a familiar face walked by, he then stopped and came over to me, and said hey what are you doing here. Due to my drunkin state I couldn't place who it was other than it was definitely someone I knew. After him saying a what are you doing here and me saying a what are you doing here he was on his way. It wasn't until a few months later I realized it was one of my customers. The next time I saw him he brought up our encounter when no one was around to listen in. We compared notes and bonded over the fact we shared the same interests.

So I don't see where running into someone in the zona would be a problem, because you are both in the same boat. Now take a scenario where you are out on Revolution taking your favorite for a bite to eat and you run into a family you may know who is out for a day in Tijuana shopping and getting photographed on a striped burro. That could present a problem.

[Keg]

I just finished writing a book of my last trip and didn't post this experience. I'm from out of town but travel to San Diego about 5 or 6 times per year on business. I often see the same people in my business meetings, most of us are from out of town. Then, last Saturday afternoon I spotted one of those traveling businessmen in Hong Kong. Since neither of us are married and we are not in a boss-subordinate relationship, I walked right up to him and said "hello" as if we met in an Outback Steakhouse. It didn't bother me, but he seemed to be up tight about it and he made an excuse and left within a few minutes of meeting. It will be interesting what happens the next time we are in a business meeting together.

Too funny HorseTrader, bet I can guess who'll be getting a Hong Kong t-shirt for Christmas, LOL.

[HorseTrader]

The post from Hugotheman about possible Phorphan sighting got me thinking about an experience I once had. Just curious if anyone else has seen someone they know in the zona, when neither of you care to be seen by the other.

I just finished writing a book of my last trip and didn't post this experience. I'm from out of town but travel to San Diego about 5 or 6 times per year on business. I often see the same people in my business meetings, most of us are from out of town. Then, last Saturday afternoon I spotted one of those traveling businessmen in Hong Kong. Since neither of us are married and we are not in a boss-subordinate relationship, I walked right up to him and said "hello" as if we met in an Outback Steakhouse. It didn't bother me, but he seemed to be up tight about it and he made an excuse and left within a few minutes of meeting. It will be interesting what happens the next time we are in a business meeting together.

[HorseTrader]

I was looking at my old posts and realized that I didn't post anything significant for my last 2 trips to the zona. I just finished a 7 day trip and thought I'd post too many of my random thoughts.

Once again, I found the overall quality of the bar girls to be best at the same places as in past visits. Hong Kong was my favorite followed by AB, then LC, and then Chicago. I went arriba with 4 girls from HK and 1 from each of the other places. I didn't see anything I liked at the other bars.

I didn't see anything visually different with the street girls during this trip. I only sampled two street girls this trip and I selected them partly based on member comments about Constitution girls performing better than alley girls. Based on my experience this trip and memory of past trips, I think I agree with that assessment.

I had 2 escorts. One was an independent that was recommended by a friend, she proved disappointing. The other was a spinner from cumintj, she turned out to be exceptional and I will repeat. I'll not post her name, but feel free to send me a PM if you are interested in who she is.

I bought my first Hong Kong VIP card and it seems to be a good value. At a minimum it is worth $8 per visit, which includes the first drink plus a ride to the border (or to Ticuan). When you show your card at Cascadas you need to push the extended stay perk. I apparently didn't do that properly my first visit and the knock came after only a short time. After that I made it clear that I didn't want to hear a knock for 45 minutes. That extended stay is important to me because the normal time isn't enough for a first shower, sex, and a second shower. I didn't take advantage of the other perks, such as border pick up or the personal waiter (like they don't have enough waiters already).

One problem with the VIP card is they check your ID, which forces you to register with your real name. That wasn't a problem until about the 5th visit when I got my free beer and the customer service agent wrote my real name on my card and put a piece of clear tape over it. Still not a problem until I checked into Cascadas and the girl looked at my card and realized that I was using a fake name every time I've seen her over the last 1. 5 years. She gave me some shit over that but I really don't care.

The Cascadas towel issue appears to be real. Sometimes there was one towel, sometimes two. When extra towels were needed the naked girl would crack the door open and scream for another towel (or soap or whatever) and within a minute another towel would be passed throught door.

I had read about increased girl prices at Hong Kong. Personally, I didn't experience higher prices than during my February through May visits. Most girls asked for $80 and took $60 or $70 without problem. My personal favorite asked for $60 and I happily agreed, perhaps that is why I took her upstairs twice.

One time I asked a HK waiter for my favorite girl, just then I spotted her sitting with a local man. The waiter said he would get her and I told him not to disturb her. He did it anyway and within 20 seconds she left the other man and came to me for a trip arriba. Three things were interesting about this. First, the waiter disregarded what I said. Second, the girl actually tipped the waiter as we went out the door. Third, the girl told me that this particular man bought her one drink the prior day and he only had a single dollar in his pocket this day. I'm wondering why in the world a man would go to Hong Kong with only $1 in his pocket?

I made 4 crossings and the border was empty 3 times, my new Global Entry card saved me no time at all on those crossings. Twice the agent scanned my GE card and said absolutely nothing at all. But for one crossing the line looked to be about 1. 5 hours long, I walked by everbody and right up to the agent with no delay at all. That was the only time I had any significant questions including what I'm bringing back (nothing) and why I went to Tijuana. I answered night life, food, dog track, and shopping. After I said shopping I added that I didn't buy anything. He then seemed a little concerned and asked me how I got the global entry card, perhaps trying to verify that I got it legally. No more questions.

If you have Global Entry you will have a choice of either the Ready Lane or the Senti Lane and you won't be able to see which line is shorter. As it turns out, the Sentri lane was much shorter than the Ready Lane.

I spent my nights at Ticuan, which has always been good. I still haven't figured out how to effectively use those air conditioning units. I even called the front desk and had someone come to my room and set the thermostat to 23C (74F) ; the darn thing kept blowing out cold air until about 4 am when I finally hit the reset button to turn it off completely. The next morning my room was too warm and I couldn't get the AC turned back on. My next rooms seemed to be set at a comfortable temperature so I didn't have to mess with it.

Until this trip I always had good food at the Ticuan restaurant. This time the food was about the same as I would expect at a Denny's. There are too many other good places to eat and I doubt I'll be eating at Ticuan again.

I did a personal survey of 4 taco carts and 2 taco restaurants. My personal favorite is Los Tacos at the corner of Calle Coahuila and Ninos Heroes. They charge a little more money than the carts but they make their own tortillas and they fill them a little fuller with better stuff. IMHO.

One questions for those more experienced. What is the deal with the zebra painted donkeys? They seem to be about 2 per block along Revolution.

I tried to meet with two forum members, that didn't work. Next visit I need to do a better job of coordinating times and places.

Sorry for the length of this report. I just started writing and this is where it finished.

Horsetrader

[Keg]

The post from Hugotheman about possible Phorphan sighting got me thinking about an experience I once had. Just curious if anyone else has seen someone they know in the zona, when neither of you care to be seen by the other.

I once walked into a bar and thought I recognized an associate from work, and I froze, I thought for a moment that "it's over, I'm busted". Fortunately for me, it was only someone who bore a very similar resemblance, and wasn't the person I thought it was. Upon this relief I quickly ordered a shot of tequila to celebrate dodging a bullet.

Running into fellow mongers is always fun, but being seen by someone you'd rather not see you is a bummer, anyone else have it happen to you?

Keg

[Phordphan]

Hey Phordphan I saw a couple in Las Pulgas on Saturday night. Seemed to fit your M O. Gringo with a better than girl next door type (not slutty) wearing striped pants. Drinks, dancing, flowers and that wonderful 1 block walk back to Ticuan at around 3 a. M. You know the walk where your mind is focused on what lies ahead. Anyways just curious if that was you and another Craigs list gem. Or maybe someone else on this board.

Ha ha. No, it wasn't me, although I was there Saturday. I was with Rocky the Flying Squirrel (short TR to follow when I have a few minutes). But at 3am we were in the club down Revu, something like Downtown, or Your Town, or something like that. They advertise "Top 40" and 150 peso cubetas (bullshit, BTW). When the joint closed they told everybody we were invited to go upstairs for the after-hours club that would be going until 7 or 8am. I hit the wall about 5.

In my case, what lay ahead was some "drunk food," and hoping we'd get back to the room before one of us passed out or puked.

[Phordphan]

So they will hold me and my girlfriend I'd until check out. That doesn't sounds good. Anyway since you said burro, that reminds me my girlfriend's text."Si no me atropella burro, yo estare alli" Which means " If I don't get hit by car (donkey) , I will be there."

No, they'll just hold your I'd. And only until you check out so you don't do a runner and leave a dead hooker in your room. Yes, it's happened. If you have a car you can't drive out without breaking down an automatic arm, so they don't ask for I'd. When you leave they check the room and then the arm goes up and you're free to go.

[Don Smith 10]

$30 for a single I believe and maybe up to $40 for a double. They showed me an upstairs suite for $50 that had a couch. What I like about this place is they have HEAT AND AC. Something hotel owners don't consider as being a selling point!

Not all is rosey though. I've read reviews that security measures are a little laxed. Ie." Hi I am here to visit mike" " Sure here is his key". Make sure your stuff is locked up and give specific instructions to the desk to only let YOU in and nobody else.

HOLD ON TO YOUR RECEIPT. That was another issue that comes up with this place. Always have proof of your dates and payment. Maybe pay as you go to avoid a problem.

I am sure this is mexico. So if they want to take advantage of me, they can do it. Thank you for your advice.

[Artisttyp]

That hotel looks good on their website. Just wondering how much they charge. I will check on that hotel next weekend. Thank you for the info.

$30 for a single I believe and maybe up to $40 for a double. They showed me an upstairs suite for $50 that had a couch. What I like about this place is they have HEAT AND AC. Something hotel owners don't consider as being a selling point!

Not all is rosey though. I've read reviews that security measures are a little laxed. Ie." Hi I am here to visit mike" " Sure here is his key". Make sure your stuff is locked up and give specific instructions to the desk to only let YOU in and nobody else.

HOLD ON TO YOUR RECEIPT. That was another issue that comes up with this place. Always have proof of your dates and payment. Maybe pay as you go to avoid a problem.

[Don Smith 10]

How will you get there without a car or taxi?

Assuming you've arrived via some other mode of transport (burro, perhaps?.) , you can just walk up to any of these hotels and get a room. They will hold an I'd unless you're driving a car. Payment will be in advance.

BTW, there is a similar one within walking distance of the zona. I can't remember the name but somebody here will. It's about 3 blocks west of Ninos Heroes on Calle Primero, south side of the street. It's not as nice as Premier or Mansion. But it's clean and the guard is friendly.

So they will hold me and my girlfriend I'd until check out. That doesn't sounds good. Anyway since you said burro, that reminds me my girlfriend's text."Si no me atropella burro, yo estare alli" Which means " If I don't get hit by car (donkey) , I will be there."

[Don Smith 10]

You might want to look into Hotel Velario located on Calle Primera about one block from Nino's Heroes. You can walk there from the zona. It's roughly 3 blocks from Hong Kong Club. Nice digs and they have a website. Chica friendly.

That hotel looks good on their website. Just wondering how much they charge. I will check on that hotel next weekend. Thank you for the info.

[Baxter Slade]

Hey Phordphan I saw a couple in Las Pulgas on Saturday night. Seemed to fit your M O. Gringo with a better than girl next door type (not slutty) wearing striped pants. Drinks, dancing, flowers and that wonderful 1 block walk back to Ticuan at around 3 a. M. You know the walk where your mind is focused on what lies ahead. Anyways just curious if that was you and another Craigs list gem. Or maybe someone else on this board.

[Artisttyp]

Is that the one with alot of ladyboys outside even during the day time?

Reminds me of Thailand.

YES. You need to walk through a battle zone of Tranny IEDS to get to your bunker BUT it's cheap and they have VERY nice rooms.

[Guitarrefreak]

You might want to look into Hotel Velario located on Calle Primera about one block from Nino's Heroes. You can walk there from the zona. It's roughly 3 blocks from Hong Kong Club. Nice digs and they have a website. Chica friendly.

Is that the one with alot of ladyboys outside even during the day time?

Reminds me of Thailand.

[Artisttyp]

I have a question. I heard Motel premier and La Mansion are very good motel. Which hotel doesn't need car or taxi to check in and out?

You might want to look into Hotel Velario located on Calle Primera about one block from Nino's Heroes. You can walk there from the zona. It's roughly 3 blocks from Hong Kong Club. Nice digs and they have a website. Chica friendly.