General Reports

[QUOTE=HornyTraveler;1901425]My passport is about 8 months old I don't have that chip. That chip should work same as the chip in a debit credit card if you don't have the chip they swipe it my guess is the chip must work with a scanner.[/QUOTE]I am very surprised that your passport does NOT have a chip, being 8 months old. Mine is older. I went to SEA last November and my passport was issued March 2015 with chip. Passports without chips also work but they have 'bar codes' as when you fly, at the ticket counter they swipe your passport. Different technology.

[QUOTE=LifeIsABeach;1901474]I am very surprised that your passport does NOT have a chip, being 8 months old. Mine is older. I went to SEA last November and my passport was issued March 2015 with chip.[/QUOTE][URL]https://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/passports/FAQs.html[/URL]

"Since August 2007, the USA Has been issuing only e-passports. An electronic passport has a small integrated circuit (or "chip") embedded in the back cover and has a new look with additional anti-fraud and security features."

"Can I request my passport to be issued without a chip? No."

[QUOTE=Bbond;1901297]Budget.

According to information on [URL]Budget.com[/URL]:

Taking a rental car into Mexico is permitted by United States residents only if you purchase Mexican Automobile Liability Insurance at the USA Rental location. You cannot purchase this insurance in Mexico. This insurance is available only at specific locations in Texas, Arizona and California.[/QUOTE]Thanks. Mr. Bond. I rent a lot of cars for business but never from Budget. Good information.

[QUOTE=BaronVonGrimm;1901306]You could have saved a lot of typing to have just said you can't drive a rented car from USA to Mexico. No, I was not aware of that, but I was going to ask first when I make my reservation today not just do it.

And going to Tijuana without a passport is not a big deal, done it so many times. Like I said, even the lady at the US passport agency told me the same thing. I don't mind a little hassle.

No, I have tried La Mansion yet, I've tried emailing all these places but they never email back and trying to call today. Otay Hotel email doesn't even work, bounces back.[/QUOTE]Don't take your handle too seriously. I was just busting your balls. But, seriously, you can't cross on foot as San Ysidro anymore without a passport and very soon you won't be able to cross on foot at Otay either. Sure you can get away with it. You can get away with an amazing amount of shit in Tijuana. But we know the cops like to fuck with gringos for no reason. The question we have to ask ourselves is do we want to give them a reason? Only the individual can answer that.

Are you emailing in Spanish? Few emails are returned by anybody, in my experience, and even fewer in English.

So, I crossed the border last night. Now I know the new routine. I get to immigration. Show the guard my passport and form from last night. He immediately asks where I'm going. I say dinner. He looks at my form, and says its good for 7 days. Says next time, just walk through with the Mexicans.

After my session at HK, I go to my favorite taco stand, in the corner by Chicago. Doesn't look the same. No scwarma. Very few condiments. Need a new taco stand that's clean and good?

[QUOTE=AthTrainer;1901668]After my session at HK, I go to my favorite taco stand, in the corner by Chicago. Doesn't look the same. No scwarma. Very few condiments. Need a new taco stand that's clean and good?[/QUOTE]Walk the opposite way past Hong Kong. On that corner is the taco stand that everybody goes to.

[QUOTE=MaskedTurbator;1901478]"Either he's stupid or he's lying." [URL]https://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/passports/FAQs.html[/URL]

"Since August 2007, the USA Has been issuing only e-passports. An electronic passport has a small integrated circuit (or "chip") embedded in the back cover and has a new look with additional anti-fraud and security features."

"Can I request my passport to be issued without a chip? No."[/QUOTE]For Newbie this is The correct way to use this forum: "Either he doesn't know or He wasn't informed" Next time try it.
I made a mistake Mr smart, mine has that chip I just didn't noticed it ASSHOLE! No need to call me stupid!

The taco stand on Coahula & Ninos now also owns the restaurant next to it. The same guys alternate doing the cooking at both. They sell the same taco Al Pastor with pork grilled on the spindle for 18 pesos.

The restaurant also sells other cuts of beef, like grilled brisket and offals with all sorts of condiments, grilled green onion, Serrano pepper etc. And a few tables to sit down. They make a special tacos with 2 large soft taco shells grilled with cheese and any sorts of meat you want inside, like a 10-inch double pizza for 45 pesos.

I had them fill it with grilled beef and pork, it was a lot tastier and juicier than the normal Al Pastor. It was a big and delicious meat pizza, I could only ate half and was full. Gave the untouched half to HKs chubby valet parking guy. Don't remember what they call it, may be "Paloma," but just ask the cook for tacos con quesos and he would bring out the large soft tacos shells.

That restaurant has some of the freshest and tastiest food anywhere. You can hang out next to the chefs and tell them how well to cook the meat.

[QUOTE=MrEnternational;1901687]Walk the opposite way past Hong Kong. On that corner is the taco stand that everybody goes to.[/QUOTE]

You can, but you may got stopped at border but most likely let in, Hassled on the way back. So a friend and I decided to head to Tijuana for first time, him with his expired passport, state ID and birth certificate me just my state ID and birth certificate, we were initially going to drive across and head into Mexico in a rental car with Mexican insurance purchases thru (fox rental car 60 usd daily which was including 31$ Mexican insurance you must have Mexican Insurance while driving in Mexico) we went to agency and were given hell for not reserving days before so decided to drive to otay border, we had nothing to declare so just parked and crossed via the bridge and took a cab Into downtown Tijuana, on the way back walked to gate showed ID got sent to right side and was thru in 15-20 minutes after showing documentation, it depends on who you get when crossing back, just state a simple honest activity you did while in Tijuana and your knowledge of your hometown and basic American questions, speak proper English and realize that they have been dealing with hundreds of people so some appreciation in your tone for them letting you back home goes a long way.

[QUOTE=BaronVonGrimm;1901306]You could have saved a lot of typing to have just said you can't drive a rented car from USA to Mexico. No, I was not aware of that, but I was going to ask first when I make my reservation today not just do it.

And going to Tijuana without a passport is not a big deal, done it so many times. Like I said, even the lady at the US passport agency told me the same thing. I don't mind a little hassle.

No, I have tried La Mansion yet, I've tried emailing all these places but they never email back and trying to call today. Otay Hotel email doesn't even work, bounces back.[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=Phordphan;1901516]Thanks. Mr. Bond. I rent a lot of cars for business but never from Budget. Good information.[/QUOTE]I have rented from them to visit Cuidad Juarez, I always, along with the Mexican insurance, get the LDW, which pays for any and all damage, up to and including, theft of the vehicle.

[QUOTE=MrEnternational;1901687]Walk the opposite way past Hong Kong. On that corner is the taco stand that everybody goes to.[/QUOTE]Agree! The best el pastor tacos in el mundo!

[QUOTE=MrEnternational;1901687]Walk the opposite way past Hong Kong. On that corner is the taco stand that everybody goes to.[/QUOTE]Assuming you mean the open air building on the corner. Not, one of the stands on the street, right?

[QUOTE=AthTrainer;1901824]Assuming you mean the open air building on the corner. Not, one of the stands on the street, right?[/QUOTE]The taco stand next to the open air building. Look for the crowd!

[QUOTE=AthTrainer;1901824]Assuming you mean the open air building on the corner. Not, one of the stands on the street, right?[/QUOTE]No, they do not mean the open air building on the SE corner (Taco Sherry). They are writing about a street cart on Nino Heroes in the street. Walking south on Nino Heroes from the corner with Coahuila avenue (in front of Tacos Sherry) you first run into a hot dog cart, then the good taco cart, and then a really good seafood cart. It is that taco cart in the middle, on the street, that they are talking about and recommending.

There used to be two sister carts in LZ under common ownership: The cart being recommended and a taco cart that used to be in front of the Tecate beer store on the NE corner of Coahuila & Constitution. This conversation started because a poster noticed that the good cart by the Tecate store is gone, and now replaced with a lessor cart. The old, original good taco cart in front of the Tecate store relocated three or four months ago (after many years at that location) because the employees felt unsafe there after numerous gun related violence incidents in LZ at the beginning of this year (according to QW, who spoke to them as they were pulling up their "stakes".).

[QUOTE=Tomjackin;1901826]The taco stand next to the open air building. Look for the crowd![/QUOTE]Found it! OMG. That was good. And a ton of meat. Plenty of toppings and fresh. My new go to taco.

THANKS!

Went trough the Mexican border crossing, walking through with the Mexicans, as if I was one too.

Traffic was soo bad Fri night, that cars were going down the old access road circle to drop people at the border, making a you turn, to avoid the long line of cars, waithing to go into Mex.

Quality of chicas at AB was down. Quality at HK was up.

HK is much higher in cost than AB. Beers cost more. Fischa drinks are more. Tip for the grls robe to the room. Chicas are more expensive.

Was told at the border crossing, coming home, you can use the ready line with your passport. Not an issue late at night, though.

Had a little girl near the border, begging for a tip, with her mother sitting across, using her lap top computer, that was nicer than mine.

Should have used pesos, instead of dollars. Definitely will next time. Saw 18.5, no comission, at a place in san ysidro.

Thanks for everyones assistance!