| Friday, April 5, 2002 5:45 p.m. Cafe Internet Snack, Tijuana, Baja
California, Mexico Just a quick note to let you all know that, at long last, I have
gone INTERNATIONAL!
After an 8 day vacation (from my vacation), in Albuquerque, New Mexico, I flew back to
San Diego, CA on Thursday. Early this morning, I boarded a local bus for the two hour trip
to downtown San Diego from Escondido, northeast of the city, where I was staying with very
kind friends. (Thanks Wendy, Al, and Dylan.)
In SD, I transferred the bike to the Trolley, which then travels for an hour to the
border at San Ysidro. Fortunately, about 5 stops before the border, a biker got on who
explained to me how to get to the bike border crossing point, which is actually
complicated for novices. As I approached the border, all I could think was "Oh my
god, I'm really doing this!" After over a year of planning and preparation, it seemed
very strange to actually be BEGINNING. After passing by the office for tourist cards, I
circled back and got my 180 day tourist pass.
Tijuana is quite hectic and a bit overwhelming. My guidebook says it's a city of
900,000 and I immediately got lost trying to find the central tourist area, where the
hotels are. But, calming myself down, and braving what was, for all intents and purposes,
a freeway (yikes), I made it over the Tijuana River and into downtown. As it's the
weekend, the hotels all raise their rates because of the college kids and assorted crazy
Americans who invade for cheap margaritas, but I found a nice hotel. Contrary to the
guidebooks, once off the main drag, NO ONE SPEAKS English. But, people could not be nicer,
and seeing the look of panic on my face, speak VERY SLOWLY and smile at me allot.
Once in my hotel room, I have to admit, there was an overwhelming urge to turn around,
get back on the trolley, and rush back to San Diego with my tail between my legs. All I
could think was "WHAT HAVE I DONE!"
But, changing out of my bike clothes and into jeans, snacking on a little food, and
unpacking a bit, I ventured out. Once out of the touristy area, my feelings changed. I
realized I was in a real city, not some sleazy tourist trap. I found an ATM and got Pesos
with my bank card, and then ventured to the Cultural Center of Tijuana . . .the CUCET . .
. and saw a great exhibit on the history of Baja California from native time to the
present.
I then went to the Rio Tijuana Mall and felt very adventurous as, what appeared to be
the only NorteAmericano. I must admit I felt comforted by all the familiar brands in the
clean, modern and very nice supermarket. (About the only difference, there are people in
ALL the aisles passing out free samples, and when getting bread you bring your items to
the checkout lady on a tin platter, who then bags them for you. One of those culturally
different moments where I REALLY wanted some bread rolls, and couldn't figure out how to
get them, until I saw someone else walking around with his tray! Look and Learn!)
Finally, I just happened to see the sign for this Internet Cafe while wandering the
City, and am feeling quite . . . well, PROUD of myself. This international travel thing
seems like it could be pretty easy after all. Maybe I'm not crazy.
So, tomorrow, I should be on my bike and off to Rosarito or Ensenada (some where
south), and see what I shall see. By next week, I don't even think I'll need supermarkets
at all.
Best to all,
P.S.
For those of you interested, some brief notes catching you up from my last report until
the present:
Have cycled about 400 miles so far. From Santa Cruz, as last noted, I drove down the
coast with my friend Joyce, (stopping at Hearst Castle, which I hadn't seen in about 30
years), and finally she dropped me off at the Hostel in San Luis Obispo . . .
I got rained on the next day (yikes), while intending to bike to Lompoc. But, rather
than be stubborn and get drenched, I stopped, and unpacked my rain gear which worked
perfectly. I AND my bags stayed dry and warm (i was warm . . . i don't thing my bags cared
one way or the other). . .
>From Santa Maria, I cycled through beautiful Foxen Canyon and over the Gaviota Pass
into Santa Barbara . . . where I spent a day exploring the old Spanish colonial buildings
and the mission, then took Amtrak down to Glendale and rode 25 miles to my little
brother's house in the San Gabriel Valley . . . spent a long weekend with him, my other
brother, and a mess of nieces and nephews . . . quite a blast. I threw in a day at the
Getty Museum which is amazing as you may have heard. Definitely worth a stop if you're in
LA.
I cycled out of Arcadia due south to Huntington Beach in Orange County, then down the
coast to Dana Point and San Diego, where I parked the bike at a friends house and flew out
to Albuquerque, as note above. |
