It's not so bad...I met my husband there!
Written: Jan 04 '01
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Product Rating:
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Pros: A choice of bars, a place for those between the ages of 18&20 to go dancing
Cons: Dirty, different justice system, can be unsafe if you are not smart
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| wifemommyteach's Full Review: Tijuana |
Yes, I'll admit it, I met and MARRIED a man I met on Avenue de Revolucion in Tijuana (TJ). YES, he was a sailor and YES I was a college student. So what? We've now been together for nearly 5 years and are happy as clams! Okay, now that I'm done being defensive, I'll tell you a little bit about this town that seems to conjure up nightmares in mothers of daughters who are fresh 18-year-old meat.
I know, that sounds harsh, but if you're stupid and go to TJ, you could end up in a lot of trouble. However, if you go there with a decent head on your shoulders, a wad of about 20 $1 bills, and a designated driver, you could have a very good, relatively safe time.
By day, TJ is a shopping mecca. You can easily walk to the plaza with your family, spend less than $100, and head home with loads of stuff. That is, if you can bargain. For example, you see this great blanket. They say "$25." You should say, "$12," and pay no more than $18. There is a system to it, and the trick of the trade is to walk away. I swear, if they want to make the sale, they'll run you down for it.
There are many impoverished children on the streets of TJ who will beg you for money. If you choose to drop a quarter in one child's cup, be prepared to do so for the 20 others who see you do it. In my opinion, it is better to buy gum or flowers from the children selling items. Personally, I like to drop a few coins into the cup of the little kid who sits by the immigration office singing his heart out to the off-tune sounds of his little guitar. One thing I plead is that you at least nicely refuse if you choose not to give out charity or buy items from the children or adults. It breaks my heart to see how ruthlessly mean some Americans are to these people who sleep in huddles on the streets because they have no home.
When the sun begins to set, it's time to head back across the border with the family. It's at this time that the stands begin to close up shop, and the party begins.
So, you want to party hard for minimal money? Here's an itinerary of my perfect evening in TJ, and I should be an expert. I have been to TJ countless times in the past 7 years of my life with both good and bad experiences. Let me premise this first by saying that the only good nights to go partying in TJ are Friday, Saturday, and Wednesday, which is college night.
In my opinion, the best place to park is in the US (do NOT drive into Mexico without Mexican Insurance. It's almost assured that your car will get hit) on the east side of the freeway. You have a longer walk into Mexico, but a shorter walk on your way out when you're tired. If you park here, there is a Jack in the Box on your left-hand side on the way to the border. Stop here to use the bathroom as the toilets in TJ are pretty seedy, and you'll be pressured into paying the toilet-paper wielding restroom attendant on your way out the door.
There are several ways to get across the border.
--You can take the bus. For $1, you can wait at the bus stop right by the entrance to the border bridge. The bus gets rather crowded, and you may end up standing, but it saves the walk over th bridge and into town.
--You can take a taxi. If you don't mind walking the bridge into Mexico and finding a taxi driver who will drive you for no more than $1 per person (anything more than that is a rip off), this is another quick way to go. However, the taxi rides are quite frightening as the drivers are ruthless. If you don't mind seeing your life pass before your eyes more than once in a 3 minute ride, be my guest.
--My personal choice is walking. Since I know the area well, I really don't mind the 3 mile stroll into town. I also like browsing through the remaining stands. Heck, I need the exercise anyhow. To do this, you walk over the bridge and into Mexico. When you run into all of the taxi drivers looking for passengers, simply say, "No thank you," and hang a right. You will walk straight for quite a ways through a plaza, until you see a huge fluorescent green cement bridge. Cross it. You then hang a right. You'll pass several taco stands on your right. Get some. They're really good. I suggest the carne asada, NOT the carnitas. These tacos are usually about $1 for 3. If you continue just a bit further, you will hit Ave. de Revolucion. You can't miss it.
You are here. The heart of the TJ party. If you hang a left, the first good club you will pass is on your left. It is called People's. They play a variety of music, and usually have a good crowd. A bit further up on your left is Tequila Sunrise. This is a fun bar in the summertime as they have pool tables and an indoor volleyball court. Across the street is Iguana Rana's. This is the first bar I ever went into in TJ. Most of the taxis drop off in front of here, so it's more happening early in the evening, but the crowd dies off later. Not much further down the street is El Torito (not the restaurant). I have to mention this place as this is where my husband and I shared our first kiss. However, this place is another that is more happening during the summer. They have a trampoline, pool tables, and other fun activities, but not usually during the winter. If you cross the street again, you will land yourself in my personal favorite of the TJ bars, Club A. I think the reason I like this place the best is that, as a woman, I can get in for $5 and can drink all I want for free. Men pay $10 - $15 for entrance, but their drinks are free, too.
These are the only bars I frequent since they are the least expensive and the most American and Woman friendly. There are many more bars on "the strip", but some of those cater to a more male audience, if you know what I mean, and many just do not have the crowd that makes me feel a bit more safe in a foreign country.
If you get hungry for anything other than the carne asada tacos, there are American restaurants such as Jack in the Box, Carl's Junior, and Denny's right there on Ave. de Revolucion. There's even a Hard Rock Cafe, but it's only open during daylight hours.
Here are several ideas for making your party in TJ the safest and most fun it can be.
--Use the buddy system. If you go with a group of women, do NOT split up. There should never be one person away from the group. There is safety in numbers.
--Split up your money. Never have one person holding all the money or I.D.s. If anything goes awry with that person, everyone else will be out of luck.
--Don't carry large bills. If you have any way of doing so, break up your money into $1 bills. Buying drinks and bargaining for souvenirs is much easier when you don't have to ask for change. You also won't have people trying to pickpocket you because you have that corner of a $20 sticking out of your pocket.
--Don't forget your I.D. (guilty) It's a long walk back to the car, and NO PLACE will let you in without it.
--You can drink, but do NOT get drunk. It is legal to drink at the age of 18 in Mexico. However, far too many teenagers go there, get smashed, and end up sick, lost, or in bad predicaments. DON'T BE THAT GIRL! Guys who get hammered also have a tendency to get into fights. This is very uncool, and from what I have heard, TJ jails are not the most pleasant, so DON'T BE THAT GUY! Also, the San Diego Police Department has begun setting up sobriety checkpoints across the border on the busiest nights. If you are under 21 and drunk, they will apprehend you and call your parents.
--Finally, ladies, do not dress like a streetwalker. TJ has its fair share of these, and you might be mistaken for a lady of the night. If all you're looking for is a good time dancing, you can do that in something that you can bend over or sit down in. This can also get you into trouble with men who did not follow the previous rule.
Tijuana, Mexico can be a great day or night out for a group of people with good common sense. I'd be the first to volunteer for an outing to TJ, but I'd also be the first to leave if people I was there with started getting careless. Just keep a heads up, be smart, and go for a good time (not necessarily a crazy time), and it can be a day or night you'll remember for a long time to come.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
wifemommyteach
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Location: Walnut, CA
Reviews written: 113
Trusted by: 71 members
About Me:
Mommy to Aidan Thomas (8) and Asher William (5)
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