BajaNomad

Saturday in TJ (VIP treatment) at TIANGUIS (PHOTOS added 5-26)

David K - 5-23-2005 at 07:25 PM

There was a big event in Tijuana this past Saturday (May 21, 2005) and it was very well organized and a lot of fun, as well.

Called ' Tianguis ', this event was designed to promote tourism to Tijuana and the entire state of Baja California.

Baja Angel and I traveled with BajaNomad to the Amtrac station in San Diego were we boarded one of three busses for the ride to Tijuana's Grand Hotel (the twin towers). Already on board the bus was my web host Dick Van Bree (BajaLinks.com) and his wife Giesla... I knew it was going to be fun day already.

At the border we were met by the Tijuana police for an escort across town... Several motorcycle police escorted our caravan and stopped all other traffic at intersections to speed us through!

At the Grand Hotel, the Mayor of Tijuana, Jorge Hank cut the ribbon at the doorway to the ballroom, to officially open the event.

Inside were several booths from various hotels, and government tourist agencies. We visited with Tillie Foster of the San Nicolas Hotel in Ensenada. Mexico Ted (Baja Talk Radio) was there too...

Wine was freely given to guests and Tijuana Beer was there too. The buffet luncheon was a mix of fantastic food from various restaurants... Included lamb, prime rib, shrimp pasta, ceviche, carne asada, and more!

While we ate we were entertained by a fantastic Aztec dance troup doing the fire dance... excellent!

Following the Aztec performance, was a Charro lasso (lariette) performance by a family (father, wife, son) called 'Charro or Churro'... Very fun and entertaining... Then what was real fun, was when he asked for volunteers (or picked them, I should say)... Baja Angel was picked (Baja Nomad may have been standing behind us helping with the selection (LOL)! Of the eight contestants, each was given the opportunety to spin the lasso... Baja Angel won! (photo coming)...

From the Grand Hotel, we took the charter bus to the Tijuana Brewery for a tour of the facility and met with the brewmaster... David from the Czek Republic. We were very impressed with the operation and learned why Tijuana Beer is a true lager beer in the Czek/ European tradition. It is made to be the finest beer in Mexico... We ended the tour with plenty (I mean plenty) of beer served in their upstairs 'beer garden'... Live music was played while we enjoyed the beer (guerra, morena, lite, and rare specail mix), chips, salsa. I must say, the dark 'Morena' beer was excellent (I usually don't like dark beer)...

From the brewery, we (much happier) were taken by bus up to Channel 12's mountain top studios... Very impressive... they create programs there that are shown all over Mexico and in the U.S. Spanish language stations... All was very modern and state of the art.

Next, we were bussed (with police siren escort) to the Tijuana Cultural Center (CECUT) for a private viewing of the IMAX film about the Mayans... That was followed by a private tour of the Baja California Museum at CECUT...

The whole day was full of interest, fun, and good food! The plan was to show that Baja is a great place to spend your vacation time and Tijuana has great facilities for tourism and business.

[Edited on 5-24-2005 by David K]

[Edited on 5-27-2005 by David K]

Cyndarouh - 5-23-2005 at 07:32 PM

How is Tille we have had so much fun at her hotel in Ensenada what a great lady. Glad all went well, sorry we missed it just to much going on. Thanks for the report. Can't wait to see Baja Angel.

David...

Mexray - 5-23-2005 at 07:36 PM

It sounds like you've finally been convinced that Baja's got a lot to offer we visitors from the North!...:tumble:

...sounds like a great time.

What do you think of my new 'logo'...got some printed up...I intend it to tie into some other stuff in the future.

If you or any other Nomad's want a sticker, drop me an email...

PHOTOS 1 of 3

David K - 5-26-2005 at 08:51 PM

Here is my web host's esposa Gisela with Tijuana mayor Jorge Hank... Jorge sure had a lot of body gaurds with him (I don't blame him at all).

Photo 2 of 3

David K - 5-26-2005 at 08:56 PM

Here is the famous 'Charro or Churro' rope show with audience 'volunteer' Baja Angel ready to take over swinging it around her!

Photo 3 of 3

David K - 5-26-2005 at 09:02 PM

Here is the contestant line up... there were 8... 4 were voted as Charros (good with the lasso) and 4 as Churros (not good)!

Baja Angel won overall... she is laughing there in line holding her prize, a burro statue!!:bounce::lol:

yankeeirishman - 5-26-2005 at 10:36 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by David K
Here is my web host's esposa Gisela with Tijuana mayor Jorge Hank... Jorge sure had a lot of body gaurds with him (I don't blame him at all).


No offense...HUN?! Wrong message for a tourist promo! ""Called ' Tianguis ', this event was designed to promote tourism to Tijuana and the entire state of Baja California.


Why would anyone want to visit an area where the Mayor needs bodyguards at a event to promote tourism ?

I'd rather just have a good time in safer areas.

[Edited on 5-27-2005 by yankeeirishman]

Duh...he's a billionaire

Gypsy Jan - 5-27-2005 at 06:49 PM

Yankeeirishman, no disrespect.

But, would you refuse to go as a tourist to New York City because the mayor, Michael Bloomberg (also a billionaire), is followed around by a huge contingent of bodyguards, as well as Mary Kate and Ashley Olson, Jay Z, Damon Dash, Donald Trump, P. Diddy, Jennifer Lopez, Rev. Al Sharpton and etc., etc., etc., are also similarly accompanied to the point that it becomes news and is avidly reported when a celebrity (media or politics) arrives at an event or even strolls on the sidewalk without an escort?

Gyspy

Baja Bernie - 5-27-2005 at 06:53 PM

Very well said!!! And sadly so true no matter what nation.

yankeeirishman - 5-28-2005 at 09:17 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Gypsy Jan
Yankeeirishman, no disrespect.

But, would you refuse to go as a tourist to New York City because the mayor, Michael Bloomberg (also a billionaire), is followed around by a huge contingent of bodyguards, as well as Mary Kate and Ashley Olson, Jay Z, Damon Dash, Donald Trump, P. Diddy, Jennifer Lopez, Rev. Al Sharpton and etc., etc., etc., are also similarly accompanied to the point that it becomes news and is avidly reported when a celebrity (media or politics) arrives at an event or even strolls on the sidewalk without an escort?

Perhaps you missed my point (with all due respect to you, seriously!). The event was designed to promote tourism...because... tourism is down.... from the negative events going on in that area (drug wars and other nuisances). Having a very high profile of bodyguards in such an event (PROMOTING TOURIOUSM)?does exactly the opposite of what they are trying to acquire (to show that it?s safe in Mexico)! You never saw Michael Bloomberg on a public stage with bodyguards as he spoke to all of us that New York is safe! Donald Trump does not attend the speaker platforms with a high visibly of bodyguards, they blend in the landscape. Movie stars love the attention of all them guards, I guess!

[Edited on 5-28-2005 by yankeeirishman]

Bob H - 5-28-2005 at 09:24 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Gypsy Jan
He is a billionaire, duh!


Is that in pesos or dollars? :lol:

BajaNomad - 5-28-2005 at 11:23 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by yankeeirishman
The event was designed to promote tourism...because... tourism is down.... from the negative events going on in that area (drug wars and other nuisances). Having a very high profile of bodyguards in such an event (PROMOTING TOURIOUSM)?does exactly the opposite of what they are trying to acquire (to show that it?s safe in Mexico)!
The only thing that has affected tourism to any great degree in the recent past was 9/11, and that affected visitors throughout Baja, not just Tijuana.

Fear of safety is what stops people from visiting throughout Baja California and all of Mexico - not just Tijuana. The U.S. government has magnified this to the U.S. population with recent travel advisories about Mexico as well. This safety fear of Mexico is why so many of us have found an isolated peninsula to fall in love with. It's actually a perception many of us do NOT wish to overcome... otherwise the peninsula would be overcome and overrun with tourists.

And no, they were NOT trying to promote the "safety" of Tijuana, they were promoting the cultural aspects of the city in an effort to promote tourism. We visited the TJ Brewery, Televisa's television station (Ch. 12), and the Tijuana Cultural Center (Cecut). There was no emphasis on safety concerns in Mexico. I would imagine it would be preaching to the choir, since everyone there obviously did not have safety concerns - otherwise they wouldn't have attended.

And my understanding is they've been having this event for a few years now, so this was not a first event in an effort to increase any decline in tourism.

--
Doug Means

[Edited on 5-28-2005 by BajaNomad]

BajaNomad - 5-28-2005 at 11:30 AM

Speaking of safety fears, here's something I wrote on USENET almost 9 years ago:

Sep 19 1996

Newsgroups: rec.travel.latin-america
From: bajano...@aol.com (BajaNomad)
Date: 1996/09/19
Subject: Baja/Mexico Paranoia (Was:Robbed by cops in Baja)

In article <51iuqr$...@mark.ucdavis.edu>, ez018...@dale.ucdavis.edu (Marc Crepeau) writes:

<snip>
>allegations about raping and knee-cap shooting police in
>Baja... <snip>... this is
>just a lot of paranoid hogwash.
<snip>

I think I'll raise a Pacifico to all of the paranoia that surrounds North Americans on travel to Mexico, and *especially* Baja. For if it wasn't for this, the place would be DELUGED with tourists!!!!!

Here's the address/phone for the Baja California Secretary of Tourism (if you need it):
P.O. Box 2448
Chula Vista, CA 91912
Phone#: 01152.668.19492
Fax#: 19579

Yeah, I've been hassled for $$$ at times, but that's about the extent of it. And I CERTAINLY haven't had ANY problems when I'm away from the cities in a rural locale. People are at their most basic element in these locations, and they live life "close to the bone." People like this have little knowledge of politics, living-class, etc. They know what it takes to survive and enjoy every precious minute of life that's been given to them. If you were out there in your $20,000 automobile/truck in the backcountry, and went hiking in your $100 Nikes, with your $500 Nikon around your shoulder, and hurt yourself..... these people (with few possessions), would take the last shirt off their back if they needed to to stop you from bleeding.... and not expect anything in return (except maybe a little mutual respect). Their reality is that everyone helps everyone else out.

GOD, what has happened to us in the big cities of North America????? We're afraid to walk out the door, in fear someone may shoot us down today (I live in L.A. area, okay!). We're all defensive.... and it all boils down to the rotten apples making it miserable for the rest of us in the bunch. We end up not being able to trust anyone, unless you already know them somehow. Life in largely populated areas becomes more impersonal than it does in sparsely populated areas.

South Ensenada, I trust ANYONE if I'm in a bind.... and with just reason. Those who've been there, know it. Those who haven't, don't worry about it. Stay where you're at. You're right, Mexico is dangerous. And where you're at, I will presume, is not.... allrighty?

This basic theme has been seen before on the r.t.l-a board. Yes, crime happens in Mexico (yes, there are rotten apples there too!!). But it also happens in the U.S. Just look at your newspaper. I see a lot more shootings/major crimes in Southern California than in Baja on a daily basis. For me, case closed.

Yes, I have to be smart when in Mexico to avoid being taken advantage of, but I need to do that in the U.S. too. Some of us just happen to be in the wrong place at the wrong time, wherever we are, and whatever country we're in. The luckiest among us, make our own luck by just plain being aware of our surroundings, and being the smartest travelers we know how to be.

-------
Doug, the "Baja Nomad"
bajano...@aol.com
Baja California Resource Guide for travelers,
located at:
http://members.aol.com/bajanomad/guide.htm
-------
"Escapist" magazine is in the works!!! (escapist.com)
-------
"We know we must go back if we live,
and we don't know why."
--John Steinbeck, Log from the Sea of Cortez



Reference:
http://groups-beta.google.com/group/rec.travel.latin-america...

[Edited on 5-28-2005 by BajaNomad]

Bad People, Big City

MrBillM - 5-28-2005 at 02:02 PM

The danger level in any Mexican Big City may be no more than that in any Big City in the U.S., however, the available resources to prevent harm and apprehend the Bad Guys is certainly better in the U.S. Mexican law enforcement and Mexican Politics are so rife with corruption that you have absolutely no guarantee that justice will be done. Add to that the Mexican legal system, based upon the Napoleonic code, you are probably much safer in Los Angeles.

Not that I would want to defend L.A. either. I am an aging second-generation native of Los Angeles whose antecedents first arrived in L.A. prior to WWI. Growing up, I thought that L.A. was paradise, but moved away forever in 1969 because it had become such a sewer. I once turned down a lucrative promotion because I would have had to move back.

As far as attracting tourism, I would bet that the vast majority of those who come as tourists to Baja have very little interest in the indigenous culture.

[Edited on 5-28-2005 by MrBillM]

yankeeirishman - 5-28-2005 at 02:25 PM

?The only thing that has affected tourism to any great degree in the recent past was 9/11, and that affected visitors throughout Baja, not just Tijuana.?

**Wrong! The drug wars of the borders are scaring away kind folks too. I don?t have a clue where your facts are coming from. Not just 911. Do not try to use this site to promote your righteousness? with impartial information that suits your needs! I have been in international travels way too much to allow that statement of yours to be true. All countries have their little scares. All travelers fray away from these scares?and the 9-11!


OH YA....IS THIS 911 RELATED TOO?

The Arizona Republic
MEXICO CITY - Mexican tourism officials are bracing for a slow summer along the border after the U.S. State Department renewed a warning about drug violence in the region.
The warning took the wind out of tourism in border cities when it first came out Jan. 26. A new version came out last week, with almost identical language.

"A power vacuum within criminal organizations resulting from the imprisonment of several of their leaders along the Mexico-U.S. border continues to contribute to a deterioration of public safety in the region," the statement said.

OR FROM TWO YEARS AGO......
The Miami Herald
Tintos fights every day against Tijuana's long history as a playpen for drunken
American sailors and teenagers, prostitutes and drug lords. His message, that Tijuana is a nice place for a family to visit, seems at odds with reality. But reality has never been simple in Tijuana.


Now...just where do you get off, on chewing me out for my viewpoints? I never said that they were trying to promote safety. I was using the information of this DavidK post to question "this way of promoting a event for tourist"! I was questioning having a gang of guards ?Jorge sure had a lot of body guards with him (I don't blame him at all)? during a tourist promo (DavidK said tourist promo event BTW). Get off you high throne and allow others to have their viewpoints. I'd be happy to do debate on these matters with you, on any forum.
I bet this post ends up at the off topics!
]

[Edited on 5-28-2005 by yankeeirishman]

BajaNomad - 5-28-2005 at 02:59 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by yankeeirishman
**Wrong! The drug wars of the borders are scaring away kind folks too. I don?t have a clue where your facts are coming from. Not just 911.
I will reword my statement to this: The only thing I feel has created any significant economic change in tourism in the recent past has been 9/11. Much of that stemmed from the difficulty to return to the U.S.

The drug wars - and inherent violence - have been scaring away potential visitors since 1989. This is not recent news.

Quote:
Do not try to use this site to promote your righteousness? with impartial information this suits your needs!
You have GOT to be kidding?!? :rolleyes:
Quote:
OH YA....IS THIS 911 RELATED TOO?

Already noted. I repeat: "The U.S. government has magnified this to the U.S. population with recent travel advisories about Mexico as well."
Quote:
OR FROM TWO YEARS AGO......
The Miami Herald
Tintos fights every day against Tijuana's long history as a playpen for drunken American sailors and teenagers, prostitutes and drug lords. His message, that Tijuana is a nice place for a family to visit, seems at odds with reality. But reality has never been simple in Tijuana.
Exactly my point. It's a long history, not new news, nor is it making any significant changes in the tourism numbers recently.
Quote:
I never said that they were trying to promote safety.
I must've not understood your comment then. Will you please clarify:
Quote:
Originally posted by yankeeirishman
...what they are trying to acquire (to show that it?s safe in Mexico)!


Quote:
I was questioning having a gang of guards...
What constitutes a "gang"? I do not believe that was a term that DavidK used.

I do not see a visible "gang" of bodyguards around the mayor in the picture above. Looks like he was quite accessible and friendly with the visitors.

You mentioned people like Donald Trump, whose guards would "blend in" -- Mayor Rhon's did the same while he was in attendance.
Quote:
Now...just where do you get off, on chewing me out for my viewpoints?

Quote:
Get off you high throne and allow others to have their viewpoints.
Throne? What throne?

The only person getting chewed out here, I believe, is me.

I think I have a long history of allowing others to share their differing viewpoints here, including yourself. Why are you chewing me out for mine?

:?:

--
Doug

Baja Bernie - 5-28-2005 at 03:55 PM

Doug.
think I have a long history of allowing others to share their differing viewpoints here, including yourself. Why are you chewing me out for mine?

Your qoute speaks volumes for your appreciation of others---to the point of negating your own well thought out ideas!!

I would tell them to stuff it and be done with it. You do realize that you can pull the plug--I used to tell the people who worked for me that--"most people would rather cut the legs out from the others who stand above them than raise to their achievements"--Double that here.


I

[Edited on 5-28-2005 by Baja Bernie]

yankeeirishman - 5-28-2005 at 04:08 PM

round and around and around

It seems to me that you have peeed off a few folks here with you responses to their veiwpoints. So its not me alone thats upset with you. You are not a God here, stop try'in to override personal statements here.

Okay..you reworded your statement. Sounds more in turn to reality now.

?The only thing that has affected tourism to any great degree in the recent past was 9/11? your quote. That was very incorrect.

?What constitutes a "gang"?? Defined 4 u: A group of laborers organized together on one job or under one foreperson: a railroad gang. You know..a group?you thought I meant a hoodlum gang? Spanky and His Gang?.remember that nice guy gangs exist too?
?Already noted. I repeat: "The U.S. government has magnified this to the U.S. population with recent travel advisories about Mexico as well." Well?not true again. I read the European columns too and guess what? Mexico has their markings there too. Yes?highly unfair newspaper articles that are plumbed to all the negative junk of Mexico and not of the good stuff much. Also?the very politicians of Mexico have stated themselves that there are problems. It?s NOT only the big bad USA doing its disinformation game.

Back to the ORIGINAL remark that I made in this post?and not about all this other stuff you threw in. I don?t think that one should have a bunch of bodyguards in view, during a promo for tourist to come! It sends the ?beware? messages to newcomers that don?t have a clue about this great country called Mexico.
We both love Mexico alot...now you wish to drop this crap?

Hose A

Baja Bernie - 5-28-2005 at 04:15 PM

I am beginning to love your understanding of life.

Irishman---My Grandmothers name was Netty Powers so get lost or I will call on the little people upon you and you will surely be gone.

In other words you may have a point but you will lose by pursuing it!!!!!!
Hell---why are we all here and not in Baja?????

yankeeirishman - 5-28-2005 at 04:25 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Baja Bernie
I am beginning to love your understanding of life.

Irishman---My Grandmothers name was Netty Powers so get lost or I will call on the little people upon you and you will surely be gone.

In other words you may have a point but you will lose by pursuing it!!!!!!
Hell---why are we all here and not in Baja?????


If you dont like the reading..turn the page! It's totally amazing how some readers here are missing the point and trying to get me to NOT show my point as well. Oh....wishing me to disappear? Now Now....calm down and dont wet your pantties!

[Edited on 5-29-2005 by yankeeirishman]

Sticking my toe or nose back in this subject

Gypsy Jan - 5-28-2005 at 05:48 PM

...both of which BTW are teeny tiny, the better to discourage having them bitten off.

Tourism is way up in Rosarito and, by extension, I guess in the rest of Baja.

Thirty thousand people attended the recent Rosarito-Ensenada bike ride, with ten thousand entrants, way up from years before (and no, I'm not going to site source my statistics, I'm too lazy, I have to do my hair and Doug is far more meticulous).

All I can tell you is that I needed to cross the street when the parade was going by - I waited an hour and a half.

Aside to Grover, glad I could give you a "best laugh", I admit the sentence was convoluted, but I reread it and I still claim it was grimmatical!

Tucker - 5-28-2005 at 06:19 PM

Did you mean gramatically correct?