General Reports

[Baxter Slade]

I was just curios awhile ago I signed up for the VIP at Hong Kong and I belive I provided my email address. Yesterday I got an email from The Tropical Bar about a big 20th anniversary party. Just wondering how they got my email is this place connected to HK or do they share info. Anyway I will be going down Thursday the 14 th to see what the party is all about. I know not to many gringos there so if you see me stop by and say Hi. Stay thirsty my friends.

[Ninguno Especial]

Dude all cabs charge 5 buck or less. A libre can get you for around 3-4 bucks. The key is never ask!

The small compact yellow cabs called "economico" will accept $3. Reluctantly and ask for a tip. I usually confirm by asking libre or yellow drivers "is $3. OK?" so they know that I know the going rates.

Returning I like the Diamonte (yellow & black) cabs in front of Chicago Club. All very nice drivers and will drop you at the sentry loop.

[Party God]

If you want to take a cab, use LIBRE because they only charge $5.

Dude all cabs charge 5 buck or less. A libre can get you for around 3-4 bucks. The key is never ask! This tells the cabbie you are a gringo that isn't familiar witht he scene and will quote you 10 bucks.

Simily go to the yellow cab, get in, tell the guy "Adelitas" or "Hong Kong". Upon arrival just hand the guy a five and done.

[Party God]

Any of you know what the F is up w Sentri?

Tomorrow will be three weeks since I was interviewed and approved. They said my card would arrive in 7-10 days and HAD to be activated within 30 days. Still not arrived.

I couldn't find a number that got through to a real person in Oyay Mesa. I got through to GOES tech support but they were of limited use.

I left a voicemail on a line that said a person would return my call within 48 hours. I'm not holing my breath.

Anyone else have a similar experience? Anyone have a better contact number or person?

I had a similar experience. They said 7-10 days. Mine came in the mail 2 weeks to the day of the interview, so I guess they meant business days. 10 business days.

[Party God]

When I went across to Nogales, everyone was selling viagra. I assume it is the same at Tijuana. Are these ligit? And does anyone know the cost of ligit stuff at the pharmacies near the boarder.

RamHer

Any pharmacy across the border. It was 13 bucks for a 100mg of the legit stuff. There are generic brands for cheaper.

[Keg]

What is the real deal about safty in regards to all the killings?

Ramher

The short and simple safety advice. Don't go around Tijuana trying to score drugs.

Certainly there are many issues invovled which would take up more space than I care to type on here, but the short answer is to stay in the zona for the chicas. From the border crossing take a yellow cab to AB / HK and afterwards take a yellow cab back to the border, and you'll be just fine.

Have fun.

[Ramher]

You are wrong. There are no Asian girls in Tijuana. There was one half-Japanese girl working CC a while back. Not sure of her whereabouts now.

It may surprise you to know, but you will not be the only lily-white non-Spanish-speaking gringo to ever grace the streets of Tijuana. In fact, that is the norm, not the exception.

Read the forum more, and just go. Don't try to get too cheap, that comes later.

Get a $5 yellow cab. They almost all speak perfect English. They'll take you right to the door. Don't let them con you into going to Purple Rain.

Stick to the more experienced girls. They will speak better English, but they MAY WELL be more mercenary. Don't be afraid to negotiate a bit. Stick to your target price. There is plenty of competition.

One tactic is to tell her that this is your first time in Tijuana, you've never done this before, not sure how it works, can she help?

If you want to eat, the waiters at the little "hooker restaurants" near the clubs speak English. All the meseros in the Revu restaurants speak English.

About the only words that will come in somewhat handy for the newbie is "La Linea" (la LEE-nee-uh in gringo-speak). The Line. It's local slang for the border. Tell the cabbie La Linea and he'll take you to the pedestrian line.

For the first time, go during daylight hours. Tijuana is less scary during the day.

Take copious notes and report back. Now March!

Thanks for the knowledge and inspiration Mr. Phordphan. Your information is very helpful. I will try to go there asap.

What is the real deal about safty in regards to all the killings?

Ramher

[Ramher]

As your trip gets closer, announce your travel date. If available I would be happy to show you around your first time. I'm show many other members would too.

That is great! I will look forward to it. Thanks!

Ramher

[Ramher]

Tijuana is great if you want to bang Mexican chicks. If you want an Asian chick, you can stay in the US or go to Asia.

You are right. Would does it mean to have a health card? Does the health card cover escorts too. Anyway, Thanks for your info!

Ramher

[Nauskas]

The San Ysidro SENTRI office isn't open yet. If it is like the new pedestrian bridge it will open sometime in the "spring timeframe."

I look forward to both. BTW- Its taken forever to finish that bridge.

The appointment process and scheduling is far worse than DMV. 3-6 month backlog at some sites in a wonderful example of mismanagement with a revenue making effort.

[Super Gato]

I went back online and, here is where it gets confusing. I know from this forum that there are offices in San Ysidro and Otay Mesa. However, applying for an interview in San Ysidro was not an option I was given and I had to pick the Otay Mesa office. Anyone else have this experience?

The San Ysidro SENTRI office isn't open yet. If it is like the new pedestrian bridge it will open sometime in the "spring timeframe."

[Artisttyp]

I just bought a one way ticket to san diego on April 26. I don't want to put my foot in my mouth but I should be in mexico for awhile.

As always I would like to meet up with any senior members.

Acapulco wasn't an option for me unfortunately. I do have other plans though.

[Blue Nose]

OK, just a quick update on my Sentri application, for those of you thinking of applying.

I filled out the online form and submitted it. Takes about 90 minutes to do this, when you factor in tracking down all the documents etc. That you need (car registration, passport numbers etc. Etc.) I waited two weeks, checking back into the online GOES (Global Online Enrollment System) every couple of days. I received an email two weeks after my application was submitted telling me that I was conditionally approved, and that I needed to schedule an interview.

I went back online and, here is where it gets confusing. I know from this forum that there are offices in San Ysidro and Otay Mesa. However, applying for an interview in San Ysidro was not an option I was given and I had to pick the Otay Mesa office. Anyone else have this experience?

So, bottom line is that the first interview I could get was three months from the date of scheduling, or shortly after the Independence Day weekend in July. That really sucks, but I suppose it's par for the course: DHS spends all their money on fancy equipment and staffing increases rather than on things that will actually facilitate legitimate border crossings.

Anybody have any luck with just doing a "walk in appointment" and showing up un-announced? I might give that a try, but any advice on this would be appreciated.

On a more positive note, the whole impending "vehicle inspection" check motivated me to get my windshield repaired. I had 4 stone chips and got all of them filled for $100. I had been putting this off for a long time, but at least it's done now so I'm safe and legal. Just hope I don't get any more between now and July!

Happy mongering, and see you soon in Tijuana!

Blue Nose

[Super Gato]

One of the main reasons for going to Tijuana is to have a great time with the fine Latin girls there. As with everywhere, I am sure there are Asian girls there too. Am I right and where do you find the goodlooking ones?

The bars and the alley attract women from all over Mexico. Sure, there's a random Honduran (one currently working at Adelita Bar) or Venezuelan in the mix. But for the most part, they're all pura mexicana. Although the bars of Zona Norte would love the novelty of having Asian girls, legally only girls that have health cards can work in the bars and only girls with the right to work in Mexico can have health cards. It is easier for a random chick from another Latin American county to fake her way through than an Asian might.

A few years ago I saw a Chinese girl working at CC but she was the exception to the pura mexicana rule. Lore has it that she was being deported from the US and decided to go to Mexico instead of returning to China. Nowadays there is a girl with Asian features working at CC but she's born and raised in Mexico. I've also seen a girl at Hong Kong with Asian features but never got a chance to get with her.

Tijuana is great if you want to bang Mexican chicks. If you want an Asian chick, you can stay in the US or go to Asia.

[Guitarrefreak]

As your trip gets closer, announce your travel date. If available I would be happy to show you around your first time. I'm show many other members would too.

Just wondering. Buddies in my immediate circle don't seem to be able to enjoy this as much as I would hope to. Nice way to meet some new people too.