BajaNomad - u can be reasonably safe in TJ

u can be reasonably safe in TJ

nancyinpdx - 1-19-2009 at 03:02 AM

I have spent a bit of time in T J. Yes, I have been a crime victim several times. But...I have rented rooms on and around Coahuila, Revolucion, and Madero. I even had a few friends who were not perfectly savory (I'm a street evangelist); poverty stricken ppl sometimes do things they would not do if they had a good job, lived in a good area and did not have hungry kids to feed. Anyway, the ppl I am afraid of in TJ, are mostly the cops!!!! They did horrible things to me when i was innocent and very naive. They also did horrible things to some friends and to some tourists.

If you are not out in night time and stay away from bad areas like Coahuila, First Street, and the red light district and other areas where prostitution and drug use and dealing are noticeable, you should be fine in TJ. Don't get intoxicated, use drugs, flash money around, do any illegal things, let strangers in your room, etc.
There are some decent kind people in TJ. Just be cautious, but not paranoid, vigilant, street smart, and you can still have a good and safe time!

[Edited on 1-19-2009 by nancyinpdx]

DENNIS - 1-19-2009 at 06:41 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by nancyinpdx
I have spent a bit of time in T J. Yes, I have been a crime victim several times. But...I have rented rooms on and around Coahuila, Revolucion, and Madero. I even had a few friends who were not perfectly savory (I'm a street evangelist); poverty stricken ppl sometimes do things they would not do if they had a good job, lived in a good area and did not have hungry kids to feed. Anyway, the ppl I am afraid of in TJ, are mostly the cops!!!! They did horrible things to me when i was innocent and very naive. They also did horrible things to some friends and to some tourists.

If you are not out in night time and stay away from bad areas like Coahuila, First Street, and the red light district and other areas where prostitution and drug use and dealing are noticeable, you should be fine in TJ. Don't get intoxicated, use drugs, flash money around, do any illegal things, let strangers in your room, etc.
There are some decent kind people in TJ. Just be cautious, but not paranoid, vigilant, street smart, and you can still have a good and safe time!

[Edited on 1-19-2009 by nancyinpdx]

Thanks for that, Nancy. Good post. Can't wait to read the book.

BajaGringo - 1-19-2009 at 08:36 AM

You haven't read the Bible? Or is she pushing a different book???

:?:

surfer jim - 1-19-2009 at 08:42 AM

.....being a "crime victim several times".......doesn't make me want to rush right down there......

DENNIS - 1-19-2009 at 08:59 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by BajaGringo
You haven't read the Bible? Or is she pushing a different book???

:?:

Actually, I was inspired to comment on her targets of salvation and this little ditty came to mind:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
"The Book of Love was a rock and roll song, originally by The Monotones. It was written by three members of the group, Warren Davis, George Malone and Charles Patrick, and it peaked at #5 on the Billboard Hot 100."
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Yessir....Seems like just yesterday. Oh my goodness.....maybe it was. My soul has probably been soiled and I don't remember any of it.

tjBill - 1-19-2009 at 10:01 AM

You can avoid most problems in TJ by staying out of the Centro.

Woooosh - 1-19-2009 at 10:32 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by DENNIS

Quote:

Thanks for that, Nancy. Good post. Can't wait to read the book.

What's the point of being an evangelical and then avoiding all the unsavory bad areas of TJ? Isn't that where you are needed the most? Or do you really just want to collect money and be safe while preaching to the choir of fellow believers? (this from a former altar boy BTW) Just wondering what the point is.

I did notice the poster changed thh subject from "CAN U be safe ?" to U CAN be safe". That's always telling from a newbie. There should be a whoop whoop sound any time a post headline is reversed like that without a poster explanantion.

[Edited on 1-19-2009 by Woooosh]

[Edited on 1-19-2009 by Woooosh]

Bajahowodd - 1-19-2009 at 11:31 AM

I try to stay safe by avoiding street evangelists.

BajaGringo - 1-19-2009 at 11:43 AM

Well I wonder now if she is saving them from sin or just from Catholicism???

:rolleyes:

Bajahowodd - 1-19-2009 at 11:54 AM

Bingo Gringo!

Then what's the point?

Dave - 1-19-2009 at 12:04 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by nancyinpdx
Don't get intoxicated, use drugs, flash money around, do any illegal things, let strangers in your room, etc.

I'd stay home.

BajaGringo - 1-19-2009 at 12:11 PM

Unless of course home is somewhere like South-Central LA, Detroit, Philadelphia, Baltimore or New Orleans...

:spingrin:

[Edited on 1-19-2009 by BajaGringo]

Woooosh - 1-19-2009 at 12:13 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by BajaGringo
Well I wonder now if she is saving them from sin or just from Catholicism???

:rolleyes:

I must have been an ugly altar boy - my gay priest never laid a hand on me. I coulda been rich!!! :saint:

BajaGringo - 1-19-2009 at 12:17 PM

:lol:

movinguy - 1-19-2009 at 12:34 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by BajaGringo
Well I wonder now if she is saving them from sin or just from Catholicism???

:rolleyes:

Hey, be nice to the Catholics - without first communion parties the economy would be in even worse shape.

BajaGringo - 1-19-2009 at 12:37 PM

How true...

:rolleyes:

Woooosh - 1-19-2009 at 01:03 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by movinguy

Quote:

Originally posted by BajaGringo
Well I wonder now if she is saving them from sin or just from Catholicism???

:rolleyes:

Hey, be nice to the Catholics - without first communion parties the economy would be in even worse shape.

That's Mexican catholicism for you! The point of Baptism is to remove "original sin" so should the baby die before their first communion- they would still go to heaven- not pergutory.

Everywhere else in the Catholic world one of the first things a new mother/father does is to gather their family at their church and have he baby baptized.

In Mexico they wait until the child is over a year old, figure out who the local priest is because they have never been to Mass and then plan the Baptism around an all night drinking party.

Maybe this is just how my Mexican family does it- but I don't think so.

[Edited on 1-19-2009 by Woooosh]

BajaGringo - 1-19-2009 at 01:05 PM

I think we should ask the OP...

Nancy, what do you say???

Woooosh - 1-19-2009 at 01:44 PM

I think there is no such thing as a "catholic evangelist" in 2009. They didn't do so well last time they passed through Mexico...

Now it's all the JoHo's and Mormons out saving the Mexicans. The rehabbers collecting money at stop lights always say "God Bless" but I'm not sure who they are affiliated with.

[Edited on 1-19-2009 by Woooosh]

[Edited on 1-19-2009 by Woooosh]

[Edited on 1-19-2009 by Woooosh]

BajaGringo - 1-19-2009 at 02:00 PM

Ask me sometime how I handle the "hermanos"...

:lol:

Woooosh - 1-19-2009 at 02:32 PM

hmmm. I think I would need a truck that rides higher and a latex mask of that avatar photo! Besides- they have way too many tatoo's and always want to practice their english.

BajaGringo - 1-19-2009 at 02:34 PM

I'll share it with you over a taco sometime. Works like a charm every time...

:lol:

Bajahowodd - 1-19-2009 at 04:24 PM

Would you believe that there are now atheist evangelists? A group in UK, British Humanist Association, in association with several other folks, including a noted professor/scientist (Richard Dawkins) raised 135,000 British Pounds to outfit 800 public busses with a banner that states, "There probably is no God. Now stop worrying and enjoy life."

BajaGringo - 1-19-2009 at 04:35 PM

I "probably" will...

staying out of el centro

nancyinpdx - 1-20-2009 at 12:39 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by tjBill
You can avoid most problems in TJ by staying out of the Centro.

exactly!

TJ

nancyinpdx - 1-20-2009 at 01:35 AM

I evangelize in the bad parts of the cities, including my own, because that's where the most down and out ppl are- suffering, hopeloss, lost, lonely, unloved, scorned, picked on... it's where I'm needed the most. I evangelize/minister to the ppl other evangelists, including the men, are scared of. Someone's gotta do it, and I'm not afraid, so I do it. Plain and simple.
I do it cuz i love ppl and care about them and would like to try to alleviate some of their suffering and offer them hope. I treat them with love, compassion,dignity and respect. But for the grace of God, there go I...(or you, your mom, dad, sister, brother, son, grandma, etc). I am not Catholic or affiliated with any group, I do not take donations.

I was a crime victim cuz I go to the bad areas and hang around unsavory, desperate ppl and I was very naive and too trusting at first, did not know TJ at all, etc. At first, I thought it was like other parts of Mexico' but, folks, TJ 'tis a whole 'nuther planet!!!

This thread was started to let others know TJ is not ALL bad and they can still be safe and have a good time. Of course, as another poster said, staying out of el centro is the best way to avoid the problems.

Buena suerte y que Dios les bendiga
P.S:
Uh oh, i forgot... contrary to what another poster said, the original post did NOT ask at first if it's possible to be safe in TJ. Sometimes I edit for clarity.
And, i removed a joke from the top of this part of my post.

[Edited on 1-20-2009 by nancyinpdx]

BajaGringo - 1-20-2009 at 10:14 AM

Good luck Nancy. Street smarts, prayer and a Kevlar Bible will go a long way to help you on your quest...

Woooosh - 1-20-2009 at 10:50 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by BajaGringo
Good luck Nancy. Street smarts, prayer and a Kevlar Bible will go a long way to help you on your quest...

I wish you well too.

protecion

nancyinpdx - 1-22-2009 at 03:28 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by BajaGringo
Good luck Nancy. Street smarts, prayer and a Kevlar Bible will go a long way to help you on your quest...

Thanks to both of you! Now where can i get that kevlar Bible? know a place that has a vat of instant kevlar- just add water and i plug my nose, close my eyes and just jump in and it will set a min after i get out?!

Woooosh - 1-22-2009 at 09:01 AM

Any chance you have $800K with you??

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7845031.stm

The more I studied the worlds religions (even to the point of living in a commune with a guru in the 70's) - the less I believed in any of them individually. Priests spending $800K for mistresses and gambling... could have been worse I guess- the boys were safe.

On the kevlar topic- I read that some of Obamas clothes he wore for the Inauguartion and stroll down Penn Ave. were bulletproof. A new line of clothing made by a designer in Columbia for the drug lords- where demand for them is high.

They even make a pullover polo shirt that can stop a 9mm bullet! The way of the bulky Kevlar vest is gone- for those with enough money.

http://www.spike.com/blog/bulletproof-clothes/67919

[Edited on 1-22-2009 by Woooosh]

[Edited on 1-22-2009 by Woooosh]

[Edited on 1-22-2009 by Woooosh]

Dave - 1-22-2009 at 09:46 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by nancyinpdx
Protecion

I think there's a chunky in your armor. :rolleyes:

barneyb - 1-22-2009 at 07:59 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by nancyinpdx

Quote:

Originally posted by tjBill
You can avoid most problems in TJ by staying out of the Centro.

exactly!

Most of the bodies from the current cartel war in TJ have been dumped in the eastern region of TJ. The La Mesa and La Presa delegations have been mentioned regularly in the news stories.

So why is centro more dangerous or problematic than these areas?

Woooosh - 1-22-2009 at 08:17 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by barneyb

Quote:

Originally posted by nancyinpdx

Quote:

Originally posted by tjBill
You can avoid most problems in TJ by staying out of the Centro.

exactly!

I went through two different army checkpoints in east TJ today near the Airport. I think the bad guys live and dump bodies there- but that's not where their victims are. Mr. Three Letters (the guy who was doing all the grisly stuff to dead bodies) only does kidnappings and extortions- and those victims are probably more likey to live in upscale central TJ near the racetrack and casino- not in east TJ.

The last kidnapping in central TJ that I heard of was daytime, downtown TJ on a busy street. The man was kidnapped from his Mercedes SUV and his wife was shot dead in the commotion. (btw- Who do they try to collect the ransom from then? )

There were some nasty killings in san diego today too. Parts of every city are bad news and bad things can happen in good places too. TJ just had more heads with less bodies attached than the others.

[Edited on 1-23-2009 by Woooosh]

tjBill - 1-23-2009 at 10:31 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by barneyb

Most of the bodies from the current cartel war in TJ have been dumped in the eastern region of TJ. The La Mesa and La Presa delegations have been mentioned regularly in the news stories.

So why is centro more dangerous or problematic than these areas?

The centro is more problematic is you are foreign looking. There's are thiefs, scam artists and crooked cops who have learned what easy targets gringos are.

Also, the Centro is a more transient area. Whereas, East Tijuana is more working class families.

CaboRon - 1-23-2009 at 10:41 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bajahowodd
I try to stay safe by avoiding street evangelists.

Right On Brother :lol:

CaboRon