Ken Cooke - 1-6-2009 at 01:29 AM
Here is a run through of my weekend in Tijuana. It was great being part of an effort to improve the lives of others while getting out and enjoying
myself. I hope to do this again in '10. Fernando is a great guy for launching this toy drive and making it so successful.
Our group had the use of a Mexicoach open air bus from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. This was the coolest pickup truck I have ever ridden inside of! Pickup
truck? Scroll down, and you'll see what I mean.
CG's wife and son (Miriam and Miguel)
CG and wife
CG, family and Ken Cooke
Fernando and CG's daughter enjoyed the Mexicoach's ride through Tijuana's streets.
Fdt's other daughter and CG's son Miguel laughed it up and found lots to talk about.
We had a full police escort - I already felt safe, but sensationalism sells ad time on TV stations...
The view from Fdt's swanky hilltop residence
Loading up the pickup truck
The police had time to sit and talk
I had a wonderful time videotaping this experience for everyone to see on both sides of the border.
Fdt & CG's children surveying their cityscape
Spotted! The children and their families in the park adjacent to the church they attend
Unloading the pickup truck - Nomad Scott, Miriam, CG, Fernando, Mrs. Simone (FdT's wife) and even Fernando Junior! BTW, Fernando Jr. was in charge of
assembling and maintaining the bicycles. He really felt great about the work that he did for the young people of Lomas Taurnias.
Our Mexicoach driver even brought his family along. Here he is in front of the church.
[Edited on 1-6-2009 by Ken Cooke]
Ken Cooke - 1-6-2009 at 01:39 AM
FdT's wife Simone unloading gifts for the children.
I'm sitting, watching the toys being sorted and organized.
Miriam and her daughter Nayelli sitting alongside Nomad Scott.
Sorting the toys involved gifts by age group and gender.
Ken Cooke - 1-6-2009 at 01:51 AM
Baja Nomad's own Doug Means arrived shortly after the event began - driving from El Rosario that morning to get there 
on time. 
Fernando setting up the bicycles for the children
The young people were so happy to receive these bicycles.
By 2 p.m., we had to return with the bus to Mexicoach in Tijuana. Here, FdT's daughter rides with Nayelli on the Merry-Go-Round: (sorry, I forgot the
names of FdT's daughters)...Thanks to our guide for paying the 50cents for their pony rides. I forgot his name too, but as a former college professor
in Tijuana, he had SO MUCH KNOWLEDGE TO SHARE about the history of Tijuana, the families of Tijuana, Myth and Lore...(also in the background of this
photo is another organizer, but I cannot remember his name at this time..) 
After returning home, we got cleaned up and headed into town for some China de Oro buffet!! At only $5 per person this was an
All-You-Can-Eat buffet will never forget.
Cousin Alex joined Miguel for some Japanese Sushi, Calamari, Lo Mein, Noodle soup, etc., etc., etc...
Shrimp & Fries for Nayelli, Chicken and Sushi for Ken! 
Es Todo, Ya!
fdt - 1-7-2009 at 04:11 PM
Great pictures Ken. Thanks so much. Can't wait for the video.
ELINVESTIG8R - 1-7-2009 at 04:14 PM
Thanks Ken for being there and taking pictures. I love seeing happy kids.
David
David K - 1-7-2009 at 04:21 PM
Thanks Ken...
Bajafun777 - 1-7-2009 at 10:48 PM
Fernando, Simone, Ken, Doug, David, Miriam, CG and their kids that helped make others kids for that day experience the excitement and fun along with a
whole lot of love, greatttttttttt work!!! Wish I could have been there and know that the same thing happened for the kids in Mexicali who had toys
given out on same day but due to me getting ill I missed it. Hope other Nomads try to give next year earlier, so Fernando does not have to stress so
much. The motorcycle group out of Calexico has a member from the Mexican Consul that works with them to do fun meetings at different places in the
Valley during the last three months where money and toys are brought preparing for the giveaway in January(we also eat and enjoy a few "pop the cold
ones" also. They have all of the gifts, food supplies, and money to buy other needed items before X-Mas to avoid the stress like our amigo Fernando
went through. The pictures that Ken took says it all. Remember, if you bend your knee to share with a child you help them believe others care.
Showing one's love and care for children is what it is all about and Jesus placed children at the top of his list for all of us to care and love.
Like the say,"Jesus, is the reason for the season." Later, Nomads bajafun777