General Reports

[YyzTravel]

I applied for SENTRI Feb 25th 2021 and still waiting. Called today in Arizona and found out the wait is a Year at this point anyone else been waiting longer than me?

Apply for Global Entry. Wait is less than a month and includes Sentri is what I was told when I applied for Sentri back in the day. I got an email on the site asking me to "upgrade" to Global entry which included Sentri at the same price.

[Dogers69]

Things certainly quieter right now than in long time. Bars are open in USA so Tijuana is not the only place to go drink anymore. The travel restrictions and covid issues definitely cutting down on men here and hence cutting down on woman. Still a ton options but of the guys don't show up the woman go home quicker.

[Cocr Brotheler]

Are you kidding? It's the "progressives" that are behind this nonsense. Conservatives may be opposed to prostitution, but it's the left, led by the feminists, who are absolute death on it. This "Nordic model" type of law is the brainchild of radical feminists, and directly targets men. Women are always the victims in any sex-for-money situation. Texas, in general, may be pretty conservative, but Austin (where the laws are made) makes Sacramento look like a Barry Goldwater convention.

I can buy Nordic having lived in Iceland for 18 mos. (met some very strong willed women but some easy ones too) but what about Western Europe? Western Europe very liberal and strong on rights for women but also p-tution tolerated.

I don't think this TX law coming from the lib. side. I think it is related to all the extra humans being trafficked in lately and more measures by conservs to rapidly deport those undocumented pimps and organized crime that exploit these recently imported women (johns unfortunately happen to bear the pain).

But then who really knows? Afghanistan (Taliban and sharia law) yesterday 31st of August 2021 reverted back to the stone ages with zero rights for women (sad).

[Cocr Brotheler]

When I walk across from San Ysidro into Tijuana at initial pedestrian Migracion building, not the airport, and request a 5 day FMM permit and be as vague as possible, will they be cool and hand it over or are they going to press for exact details and call me out for abusing a loophole (which I am but that's aside the point) and demand immediate full payment?

If they see I'm from TX not CA am I pretty much SOL? When trip ends I'm flying Tijuana to Monterrey then same day bus back to Texas.

If you Google 'FMM Mexico' you can fill out and print the form on-line. I went ahead and did 180 days but a poster on MTY thread mentioned 7 days or less is free. I didn't know 7 or less free or would have tried that first. I would think if have a printed out FMM stating no charge it would be hard for them to phuck you.

[Ctytek]

Are you kidding? It's the "progressives" that are behind this nonsense. Conservatives may be opposed to prostitution, but it's the left, led by the feminists, who are absolute death on it. This "Nordic model" type of law is the brainchild of radical feminists, and directly targets men. Women are always the victims in any sex-for-money situation. Texas, in general, may be pretty conservative, but Austin (where the laws are made) makes Sacramento look like a Barry Goldwater convention.

You are off base here. Progressives by and large are in favor of decriminalizing sex work, and are behind most of the recent decriminalization push in the US. DAs in a number of counties will no longer prosecute sex work, and repeals of various "loitering for sex" laws are being passed in many cities run by the Democrats:

https://www.manhattanda.org/d-a-vanc...ensed-massage/

https://www.losangelesblade.com/2021...ate-committee/

Are you now going to tell us that Manhattan and LOS Angeles are being run by conservatives?

And I realize those laws aren't going as far as completely legalize sex work, but they are still a step in the right direction. Certainly way better direction that State of Texas is going, which as we all know is run by a bunch of religious conservative republican nutbags.

[Gregyyr]

When I walk across from San Ysidro into Tijuana at initial pedestrian Migracion building, not the airport, and request a 5 day FMM permit and be as vague as possible, will they be cool and hand it over or are they going to press for exact details and call me out for abusing a loophole (which I am but that's aside the point) and demand immediate full payment?

If they see I'm from TX not CA am I pretty much SOL? When trip ends I'm flying Tijuana to Monterrey then same day bus back to Texas.

Didn't know about the 5 day FMM. I got tired of telling them I was visiting the dentist and they got tired of me going to the dentist so I just purchased the 6 month tourist visa for $30 and now I don't need to worry about it. I just told them I am planning on traveling down Baja and then also later traveling to Mexico City and other places. When I just mention first I was going to Mexico City they said get the visa at the airport. But when I told them I was traveling down Baja they then said I could buy the visa for $30 (but only on a credit card) for some reason.

Anyway I have it now and it's nice to have.

G.

[CenTexCrash]

When I walk across from San Ysidro into Tijuana at initial pedestrian Migracion building, not the airport, and request a 5 day FMM permit and be as vague as possible, will they be cool and hand it over or are they going to press for exact details and call me out for abusing a loophole (which I am but that's aside the point) and demand immediate full payment?

If they see I'm from TX not CA am I pretty much SOL? When trip ends I'm flying Tijuana to Monterrey then same day bus back to Texas.

[MmaufcFan]

I applied for SENTRI Feb 25th 2021 and still waiting. Called today in Arizona and found out the wait is a Year at this point anyone else been waiting longer than me?

[Phordphan]

On new TX felon law for johns maybe is a silver lining in that they sense our progressive Govt. will legalize it nationally? A few months back I was considering visiting some AMPs but now oh hell no!

Are you kidding? It's the "progressives" that are behind this nonsense. Conservatives may be opposed to prostitution, but it's the left, led by the feminists, who are absolute death on it. This "Nordic model" type of law is the brainchild of radical feminists, and directly targets men. Women are always the victims in any sex-for-money situation. Texas, in general, may be pretty conservative, but Austin (where the laws are made) makes Sacramento look like a Barry Goldwater convention.

[Jackie888]

In my opinion, use pesos if you are regular that go to Tijuana at least once a week. If you are not a weekly regular, use dollars because you are going to fuck it up and over pay when you use money that feels like monopoly money.

[Turgid]

Yes we are unfortunately.

I bought some PMs (precious metals) earlier in the year and adding some more slowly. Going to start buying some Crypto too. Not that complicated but as explained to me need buy a hardware cold storage wallet (like a USB) that only the holder can access since on-line accounts are at risk due to hacking or Coinbase locking accounts when they see fit. Not getting real extravagant with it but plan on buying some Bitcoin, Ether and some XRP when I see dips and not a large percentage of my holdings. My full time job could be pursuing and manning my investments every day but my portfolio not that relatively large and still need work a regular job for 1-3 more years +/-. Is fun for me like another hobby that helps feed my lady habit which I don't spend that much on cause I don't date in the USA (and now won't even consider hobbying in Texas).

On new TX felon law for johns maybe is a silver lining in that they sense our progressive Govt. will legalize it nationally? A few months back I was considering visiting some AMPs but now oh hell no!

The US is indeed headed towards Weimar. However, I do not think anyone knows exactly when that will happen. When it does occur we will not be as civilized as Germany was, there will be hordes of individuals with guns in the streets, neighborhoods and rural areas roaming and searching out anyone with precious metals and especially food, in houses, groceries, supermarkets, cars and other means of transportation. You ask about the police? They will be led by police.

[KC Questor]

With the exchange rate being about 19.5 pesos per dollar, you can often find sellers rounding their price up to 20:1. In that case, you'll get a bit better deal buying with dollars.

You are right. With the exchange rate just below 20:1, you are losing out if you use quick mental math to figure a price. It's a small amount, but can add up.

The bars in the zona peg their prices to the dollar. What that means is that when the exchange rate changes, they change the PESO price, not the DOLLAR price. At 18:1, a beer is $4 or 72 p. If the rate moves to 19:1, the beer is $4 or 76 p. So if you give the guy a $20, he is going to bring you back $16 and you can tip him $1. If you give him a 200 p note he'll bring back 124 p or maybe 128 p or maybe 120 p. If you are lucky. The waiters know that Americans are not as familiar with the money. He may offer you a 50 p note and a small pile of change. If you can look at it and know that it is 74 p in coins, that's great. A lot of guys will pick up the single 50 p bill and leave the change as a tip, not knowing they tipped almost the full price of the beer. Best would be to pick up all the coins and then leave 10 p as the tip.

Bottom line, if you are not perfectly comfortable translating prices in your head and recognizing foreign money in a dark, noisy bar after having a few drinks, stick with dollars. Use pesos on the street.

[Cocr Brotheler]

Yes we are unfortunately.

I bought some PMs (precious metals) earlier in the year and adding some more slowly. Going to start buying some Crypto too. Not that complicated but as explained to me need buy a hardware cold storage wallet (like a USB) that only the holder can access since on-line accounts are at risk due to hacking or Coinbase locking accounts when they see fit. Not getting real extravagant with it but plan on buying some Bitcoin, Ether and some XRP when I see dips and not a large percentage of my holdings. My full time job could be pursuing and manning my investments every day but my portfolio not that relatively large and still need work a regular job for 1-3 more years +/-. Is fun for me like another hobby that helps feed my lady habit which I don't spend that much on cause I don't date in the USA (and now won't even consider hobbying in Texas).

On new TX felon law for johns maybe is a silver lining in that they sense our progressive Govt. will legalize it nationally? A few months back I was considering visiting some AMPs but now oh hell no!

[Member #4730]

California RE uptick is unrelated to any $3.5 T bill being discussed and not passed. People pay for RE what they feel like. If there are others that want to pay more, the price will go to that amount. Supply and demand. One thing I know is that there is such a wealth gap especially after the $3 T tax cut in 2017 for mainly already rich people, so those people drive up prices. RE is cyclical. Back in the day, RE never went down. Now it's like a stock but has hard assets. None of it has to do with a bill in Congress that hasn't passed.

All I know is that I'm enjoying the bubble forming in my investment portfolio, RE holdings, and money printing to infinity and beyond. They are handing it out like it will never end. It isn't sustainable was my point. Hope everyone has alternative investments as we are going Weimar.

[DrinkItDown1]

They are passing that infrastructure bill on the way to $3. 5 T. I wonder how high prices are going to skyrocket? Hopefully my assets follow suit as the banks definitely don't pay you enough interest on your money to keep it with them. SoCal RE jumped 25% in 1 year on a median of $700 k so $175 k in equity built in one year on each property that someone owns. Cash is flowing in SoCal. Enjoy while it lasts. If the markets dump, then there goes the neighborhood and parents pension plans and retirement acct. Tied to the equity markets.

California RE uptick is unrelated to any $3.5 T bill being discussed and not passed. People pay for RE what they feel like. If there are others that want to pay more, the price will go to that amount. Supply and demand. One thing I know is that there is such a wealth gap especially after the $3 T tax cut in 2017 for mainly already rich people, so those people drive up prices. RE is cyclical. Back in the day, RE never went down. Now it's like a stock but has hard assets. None of it has to do with a bill in Congress that hasn't passed.