BajaNomad

US citizen attempting to return with no passport

Curt63 - 9-16-2010 at 07:55 PM

What are you experiences with this? He will be crossing back at Tecate. What will the Customs agents likely do?

David K - 9-16-2010 at 08:27 PM

Our son Josh spent Labor Day weekend on Shell Island and crossed back north at Mexicali, without a passport... just his birth certificate and drivers license and had no problem what-so-ever. The lady agent was friendly and no secondary or extra questions. He was with his girlfriend (who had a passport) and her two dogs (who had their rabies papers) and they had a great time even with the heat, wind and his Ford Ranger's 4WD not working and getting them stuck in the sand.

[Edited on 9-17-2010 by David K]

Pacifico - 9-16-2010 at 08:34 PM

Hey Curt,

Does this person have any identification at all - Driver's license or birth certificate? I'm looking forward to hearing the outcome of this....:?::?::?:

sanquintinsince73 - 9-16-2010 at 08:34 PM

Depends on the color of your skin. Really, no BS.

DENNIS - 9-16-2010 at 08:49 PM

Your friend's attitude will have everything in the world to do with his painless passage. They won't/can't keep him out, but they can ruin his day if he gives them reason to.
Props work well in circumstances such as this. Does he have one of those border patrol baseball caps? They work well.
How about some Rosary Beads? Shows a strong spiritual side. That works well too.
Can he dance like James Cagney and sing the Yankee Doodle song? :lol:

Sallysouth - 9-16-2010 at 09:06 PM

oooh,Dennis you are on a roll !! Gotta love it.:O sorry but had to edit, got a really good visual on that .Too funny:lol:

[Edited on 9-17-2010 by Sallysouth]

mcfez - 9-16-2010 at 09:44 PM

My 28 year old son pass in Mexicali with only a Ca DL.....there was no problem at all

Curt63 - 9-16-2010 at 09:46 PM

Yep, I was expecting this.

Now all I need is Skeeters take on it.

He is super Mexican looking and a genuine badass.

I'm reluctant to take him with no passport, but he's a great friend.

gnukid - 9-16-2010 at 09:50 PM

It's really no problem They listen to your voice and if there is a question they can look you up. Everyone who has a social security number and DL can cross.

woody with a view - 9-17-2010 at 04:43 AM

worst case he gets the rubber glove/vaseline treatment. :no:

DENNIS - 9-17-2010 at 05:47 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by woody with a view
worst case he gets the rubber glove/vaseline treatment. :no:



That's one of the things I was talking about up there. It's all a result of attitude.

Dennis

bajadave1 - 9-17-2010 at 06:04 AM

The Cagney reference was great. I just re watched the movie a couple of weeks ago.

Dave

:cool::cool::cool:

BajaDove - 9-17-2010 at 06:25 AM

Dennis
Think you ought to drop the rosary that's for entering Baja.

[Edited on 9-17-2010 by BajaDove]

DENNIS - 9-17-2010 at 07:51 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by bajadave1
The Cagney reference was great. I just re watched the movie a couple of weeks ago.




For your re-viewing pleasure and for those who have no idea:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2R1jiVcIGcg&feature=relat...

Bajajorge - 9-17-2010 at 08:15 AM

Good Luck

dtbushpilot - 9-17-2010 at 08:17 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by woody with a view
worst case he gets the rubber glove/vaseline treatment. :no:


If that's the case maybe I'll leave my passport at home next time......wait a minute, who is going to be wearing the glove, me or her?:lol::lol::lol:...dt

Woooosh - 9-17-2010 at 09:01 AM

I forgot my passport just last week. All I had was a driver's license when I got to the booth. No problem.

Arturo - 9-17-2010 at 01:40 PM

Wow that kinda sucks, I didnt bring my Brother with us on our last fishing trip cause he didnt have a Passport. "Who Knew?"
Always good info. here on this site.

Thanks to everyone.

David K - 9-17-2010 at 01:50 PM

If your brother is an American, they cannot deny him from returning to his own country... They ask that we have passports because it is a standard I.D. that is less likely to be counterfitted or questioned vs. other forms of ID... makes the job of border agents easier to spot non-citizens.

Bajahowodd - 9-17-2010 at 02:12 PM

One issue that has not been addressed. Curt did not mention how far into Mexico and for how long. Mexican IMM requires a passport to issue the FMM. While it's always a crapshoot as to whether anyone will ask for it, fact is, especially if one gets into an accident or is stopped for doing something that may be perceived illegal, not having the FMM could result in a hassle.

That said, the law requires the passport. The passport regulation has been a major deterrent to border area tourism. If we aren't going to enforce the law, then we really ought to change it back to where it was.

k-rico - 9-17-2010 at 02:25 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by David K
If your brother is an American, they cannot deny him from returning to his own country...


There's a problem with that logic. What happens if they don't believe he's a citizen and he has nothing to prove that he is? Can't illegals get drivers licenses? I'm sure there are plenty of citizens who wouldn't dare leaving the country without their passports because they look foreign or don't sound like native English speakers and know it would be a major hassle getting back in.

Curt said "He is super Mexican looking and a genuine badass."



[Edited on 9-17-2010 by k-rico]

Woooosh - 9-17-2010 at 02:41 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by k-rico
Quote:
Originally posted by David K
If your brother is an American, they cannot deny him from returning to his own country...


There's a problem with that logic. What happens if they don't believe he's a citizen and he has nothing to prove that he is? Can't illegals get drivers licenses? I'm sure there are plenty of citizens who wouldn't dare leaving the country without their passports because they look foreign or don't sound like native English speakers and know it would be a major hassle getting back in.

[Edited on 9-17-2010 by k-rico]


I think that's why an earlier poster mentioned your color was important. No one is whiter than me and I crossed with just my CA drivers license. When I got to the inspection booth I smiled, handed the DL to the inspector and told him I needed to go the the "penalty box" because I forgot my passport. He asked if the passport had my named exactly the same as my DL, did a little typing and then waved me right through.

The real answer is as stated- an American cannot be denied entry into his country. You may go to secondary (the penalty box) , but you'll get in. Next time just say you forgot it, show show your DL and see what happens (have your passport under your floor mat in case you chicken out).

k-rico - 9-17-2010 at 02:55 PM

True they can probably verify your citizenship, most probably if you have a passport and the systems are working. But if you don't have a passport, not you have one and forgot it, the law is:

"Regardless of the destination in Mexico, however, all U.S. citizens age 16 or older must present a valid U.S. passport or passport card to re-enter the U.S., even by land."

http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_970.html

So if you've never gotten a passport, and they are suspicious, they can enforce the law until you somehow convince them you are a citizen.

mulegejim - 9-17-2010 at 03:40 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Woooosh
I forgot my passport just last week. All I had was a driver's license when I got to the booth. No problem.


There is a big difference between not having your passport with you and not having a passport at all. Jim

k-rico - 9-17-2010 at 04:21 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Bajahowodd
If we aren't going to enforce the law, then we really ought to change it back to where it was.


I dunno. Perhaps allowing law enforcement officers to use discretion in enforcing some laws is a good thing. There have been a couple of times where I've been stopped for speeding and let go with a warning. Good!!

The passport requirement is relatively new, that might have something to do with the situation.

And, not allowing discretion smells too much like the zero tolerance policies infecting society, and they really stink.

"There is no justice without judgement." - James T. Kirk, Captain, Starship Enterprise.

[Edited on 9-17-2010 by k-rico]

Bajahowodd - 9-17-2010 at 04:47 PM

How about a show of hands. Who really thinks that a passport requirement to visit Mexico is a good idea?

DENNIS - 9-17-2010 at 05:01 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Bajahowodd
How about a show of hands. Who really thinks that a passport requirement to visit Mexico is a good idea?


It may have value as an idea for departing folks, but your question would be better posed from the Mexican side.

Terry28 - 9-17-2010 at 08:29 PM

Let's hear from someone who was denied entry...........

Curt63 - 9-18-2010 at 08:35 AM

Thanks for your input.

We're going for it!

JoeJustJoe - 9-18-2010 at 10:59 AM

Woooosh wrote: The real answer is as stated- an American cannot be denied entry into his country. You may go to secondary (the penalty box) , but you'll get in. Next time just say you forgot it, show show your DL and see what happens (have your passport under your floor mat in case you chicken out).
------------------------------

I believe Woooosh is right the bottom line is the border patrol can't deny US citizens entry to their own country, however you could be delayed by going to secondary while they try to verify your identity by pulling up your drivers license information or some other methods.

On my forum where I spend most of my time we had a couple of guys either get mugged by "choke hold" or just lose their wallet and/or passport and still get through the US border and back home.

Even the new passport laws you saw US citizens both gringos and Mexican-Americans still passing through the Border Patrol gates with nothing more than their drivers license, and birth certificate.....sometimes with only a California drivers license.

Most of them weren't even sent to "secondary" but were sometimes told they need a passport/passcard next time.

This was going on for months, and I usually see it because I live in the states now, and frequently park and walk over over so I don't have to deal with the long lines coming back, and many people were crossing with drivers license, with or without their "BC."

However, the last few months I see more and more people having the proper paperwork, but if I forgot my passport and wanted to go to Mexico. I wouldn't let the fact I forgot my passport keep me from going, because I know I'll get back in the US.

Bajahowodd - 9-18-2010 at 03:38 PM

Gotta go back to an earlier post. All this is fine and dandy for folks on short trips in the border zone, but beyond that, they need an FMM and need a passport to obtain one. In reality, more times than not, people can get away without carrying the FMM. But, every once in awhile, there can be a bad day.

k-rico - 9-18-2010 at 04:21 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by JoeJustJoe
I believe Woooosh is right the bottom line is the border patrol can't deny US citizens entry to their own country


Well duh, of course that is right. I wish people would stop saying that.

That's not the issue. The issue is the problems caused by not being able to prove you are a citizen when they are suspicious of you for whatever reason. They no longer take simple declarations like they used to.

White skin, blue eyes, native English speaker, you're in. Otheriwse, who knows.

Mulegena - 9-18-2010 at 04:52 PM

Some thirty years ago on a walk-in thru Mexicali into Calexico I got in easily with my drivers license i.d. My companion was a first generation Chicano, pure Mexican-American from the get-go, with no identification whatsoever. They stopped him at the turnstile-- I in the US, he in Mexico. Boy, that 10 feet sure looked looonng! "No i.d.?," said the B.P. guard, "Then answer this question, 'What was the civil war about?" Without hesitation he answered the question correctly. "Ok, you're IN, no problems." That, ladies and gentlemen, was 30 years ago.

These years I routinely cross in with a British citizen who lives in Baja, passports and visas in hand. We routinely get thrown into Secondary so they can hassle him about something or other. They make us both get out of the car, "Stand away from the car; No, you can't go to the restroom, Open the hood of the car, and so it goes for a half-hour or more". Other times they whisk us right through. Can't figure it out.

A few months ago I crossed in with a woman, US citizen with only California Drivers' License for i.d. No problem whatsoever.

Another time I crossed in with a woman who'd just had dental surgery. The border guard insisted she speak to him.

So yes, I'd say if you're a US citizen crossing in by land be sure to have a US picture i.d. You'll more than likely be ok, but you may get hassled. Its really up to the the Border Patrol Agent and your luck of the day.

sanquintinsince73 - 9-18-2010 at 05:17 PM

Like I posted earlier in the thread, it depends on your skin color and the CBP officer. I've forgotten my American passport and first of all you get treated like crap by the CBP. I've shown my Marine Corps tattoos and recited the National Anthem. Still, secondary inspection and on one occasion fingerprinted. My CDL was not enough for these guys. The worst guys are the Filipino officers. The nicest and most understanding are the white and Afro-American officers. I will say that as a veteran and an American of Mexican ancestry, it feels like crap to be treated like an illegal.

DENNIS - 9-18-2010 at 05:28 PM

It's an area where nothing can be expected to be nice, proper or legal. It's their world and there's only one way to avoid it if it's too bothersome. Don't go there or, develop some of that Oriental Patience that the Mexicans use when power is having it's way with them. They've been dealing with power abuse since the beginning of time.

Ken Cooke - 9-18-2010 at 08:49 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by sanquintinsince73
Depends on the color of your skin. Really, no BS.

Agreed. My wife and I were put through the 3rd degree. The border guard rolled his eyes at me several times like I have no business traveling Central & South America?

sanquintinsince73 - 9-18-2010 at 11:16 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Ken Cooke
Quote:
Originally posted by sanquintinsince73
Depends on the color of your skin. Really, no BS.

Agreed. My wife and I were put through the 3rd degree. The border guard rolled his eyes at me several times like I have no business traveling Central & South America?

Right on!! Finally someone who's experienced it. I've served my country, I speak better English than I do Spanish, and I don't look illegal, but thats not good enough. I had a pacific islander officer ask me how I became an American citizen, I replied " I was born in Los Angeles". His reply was "I am not going to ask you again, how did you become an American citizen?". I was peeed!! I told him " I was born in East Los Angeles!! I didn't come over on a boat like you did, A**H***!!".
He was so peeed he just waved me thru.

mtgoat666 - 9-18-2010 at 11:23 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by sanquintinsince73
Like I posted earlier in the thread, it depends on your skin color and the CBP officer.
I will say that as a veteran and an American of Mexican ancestry, it feels like crap to be treated like an illegal.


now you know why so many think arizona is so wrong.

of course, what do you expect border patrol to do?

perhaps y'all should suck it up, and carry your passports like the law requires?

boycott arizona!

carry your passport when crossing border!

Ken Cooke - 9-19-2010 at 06:25 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by sanquintinsince73
Quote:
Originally posted by Ken Cooke
Quote:
Originally posted by sanquintinsince73
Depends on the color of your skin. Really, no BS.

Agreed. My wife and I were put through the 3rd degree. The border guard rolled his eyes at me several times like I have no business traveling Central & South America?

Right on!! Finally someone who's experienced it. I've served my country, I speak better English than I do Spanish, and I don't look illegal, but thats not good enough. I had a pacific islander officer ask me how I became an American citizen, I replied " I was born in Los Angeles". His reply was "I am not going to ask you again, how did you become an American citizen?". I was peeed!! I told him " I was born in East Los Angeles!! I didn't come over on a boat like you did, A**H***!!".
He was so peeed he just waved me thru.


I'm sorry you deal with this after fighting for this country. In my case, I always carry my Passport in my front pocket, so the 'swipe' function doesn't work, and the numbers have to be manually keyed in. Not my fault, since I literally carry my passport EVERYWHERE I go.

Mulegena - 9-19-2010 at 08:25 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by DENNIS
It's an area where nothing can be expected to be nice, proper or legal. It's their world and there's only one way to avoid it if it's too bothersome...

From experience I have to agree with Dennis on this, so I'll elaborate a bit further.

It doesn't seem to make much rhyme nor reason what happens when you cross La Frontera by land because you're in their hands, the US Border Patrol; they got ya' and can do pretty much what they want. Essentially, whenever you cross the border, you're under arrest for that duration, whether they're nice and polite and professional and wave you on through, whether they throw you in secondary, take you into their offices; whatever they decide to do, during that time they have your i.d., passport, they have ya' body & soul-- you're their's for the duration, you're essentially under arrest.

I've crossed over many, many times and have come to recognize the individual Agents on duty; some are always nice, polite and professional. Other ain't. Period. End of Story.

It doesn't really seem to correlate with your skin, eye or hair color; it does appear to correlate with who the attending Agent is and their personality and take on life.

JoeJustJoe - 9-19-2010 at 10:33 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by k-rico
Quote:
Originally posted by JoeJustJoe
I believe Woooosh is right the bottom line is the border patrol can't deny US citizens entry to their own country


Well duh, of course that is right. I wish people would stop saying that.

That's not the issue. The issue is the problems caused by not being able to prove you are a citizen when they are suspicious of you for whatever reason. They no longer take simple declarations like they used to.

White skin, blue eyes, native English speaker, you're in. Otheriwse, who knows.


How funny K-rico believes the Border Patrol has some kind of "white privilege" system "white skin, blue eyes" your in, but for everybody else all bets are off. You just might have to endure a stay in Mexico like in the Cheese Martin movie "Born in East L.A."

A lot of time they will question the white skin, blue eye guy more than they will the Mexican-American who fits the profile of somebody passing back and forth between counties.

But like I said everybody who is a US citizen makes it back to the US side after they verify who you are, and they don't just have to accept a simple declarations although they could do that too.

If you give them your name or drivers license number they could pull up a picture of you, and I been told they could pull up your passport information if you have one.

sanquintinsince73 - 9-19-2010 at 10:39 AM

I agree with most of what you say, Mulegena. But as you approach the actual little hooch where the officer is located, you will notice a metal sign that proclaims "we are the face of America" and it shows several agents smiling back at you. Very rarely do you come up to an agent who is smiling at you. If they are bored with their job's then go do something else, hell retire to Baja. Some of you do not agree with the skin color issue so I would recommend reading "Black Like Me", I don't recall the author but it is good reading. In closing, I am not at all politically correct. I don't run around waving a Mexican flag because I was born in U.S.A. I am American first.

k-rico - 9-19-2010 at 10:44 AM

Joe, you mean I joined the blue eyed, white men club for nothing? Damn.

Sarcasm, Joe, sarcasm.

Whether or not you get hassled by the border guards not only depends upon you, but also each guard's prejudices.

[Edited on 9-19-2010 by k-rico]

DENNIS - 9-19-2010 at 10:54 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by sanquintinsince73
If they are bored with their job's then go do something else, hell retire to Baja.



Could you have retired from the Corp in the late sixties in Saigon? That would be unthinkable as would a border customs officer retiring in Baja.
I've had them question me as to how I could possibly live here and it wasn't because they were curious. Generally, they don't care for Mexico.

As for their demeanor, they're acting pretty much as their superiors want then to act. It's just the degree of nastiness in the individual that differs.

Everybody should grin and bear it. That's the path of least resistance.

sanquintinsince73 - 9-19-2010 at 10:57 AM

I concur, Dennis. Let's wrap up this thread and get back to talking Baja stuff.

Ken Cooke - 9-19-2010 at 11:15 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by DENNISEverybody should grin and bear it. That's the path of least resistance.


I just sit and wait it out since I know that I'm not one of the bad guys.:!:

Woooosh - 9-19-2010 at 02:01 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by sanquintinsince73
I agree with most of what you say, Mulegena. But as you approach the actual little hooch where the officer is located, you will notice a metal sign that proclaims "we are the face of America" and it shows several agents smiling back at you. Very rarely do you come up to an agent who is smiling at you. If they are bored with their job's then go do something else, hell retire to Baja. Some of you do not agree with the skin color issue so I would recommend reading "Black Like Me", I don't recall the author but it is good reading. In closing, I am not at all politically correct. I don't run around waving a Mexican flag because I was born in U.S.A. I am American first.


I always get a chuckle out of that sign... especially the first line where it says you will be given a cordial welcome back to the USofA. Anyone ever get one?

[Edited on 9-19-2010 by Woooosh]

Bajahowodd - 9-19-2010 at 02:12 PM

Closest thing to that was one time, after spending two weeks traveling the peninsula, the officer's first words were, "Boy, I'll bet you're glad to be back in the US"! I didn't react. Fact was I was sad that I was leaving Mexico. Had such a great time. Just figured that if i took issue with his statement, I'd find my journey interrupted.

I Wish That This Had Been an Issue

Gypsy Jan - 9-19-2010 at 02:37 PM

When I had to commute from Baja to my job in San Diego.

"Hey, Boss! They wouldn't let me over the border, sorry!"

I would have turned around, headed home and gone back to bed.

DENNIS - 9-19-2010 at 04:21 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Gypsy Jan
When I had to commute from Baja to my job in San Diego.

"Hey, Boss! They wouldn't let me over the border, sorry!"

I would have turned around, headed home and gone back to bed.



That was a long time gone. Yes...indeed.

Ken Cooke - 9-19-2010 at 08:41 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Bajahowodd
Closest thing to that was one time, after spending two weeks traveling the peninsula, the officer's first words were, "Boy, I'll bet you're glad to be back in the US"! I didn't react. Fact was I was sad that I was leaving Mexico. Had such a great time. Just figured that if i took issue with his statement, I'd find my journey interrupted.


For that reason, I prefer to cross in Tecate. The crossing in Tijuana kills the fun much faster when dealing with the "linea" there.

Woooosh - 9-19-2010 at 10:03 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Ken Cooke
Quote:
Originally posted by Bajahowodd
Closest thing to that was one time, after spending two weeks traveling the peninsula, the officer's first words were, "Boy, I'll bet you're glad to be back in the US"! I didn't react. Fact was I was sad that I was leaving Mexico. Had such a great time. Just figured that if i took issue with his statement, I'd find my journey interrupted.


For that reason, I prefer to cross in Tecate. The crossing in Tijuana kills the fun much faster when dealing with the "linea" there.


Yeah, but do they have the drive-thru food court?

The Best Churros Are Sold in the TJ/SY Drive Through

Gypsy Jan - 9-20-2010 at 12:09 PM

Also, music CD's (very good quality), cell phone charger cords for 1/3 the price at the store, life size, paper mache Rottweiler statues. Too chicken to try the tamales, burritos, or cocteles, but I hear that they are tasty and no one I know has ever reported getting sick.

Borderland, almost Disneyland; all the entertainment without the exorbitant prices.

DENNIS - 9-20-2010 at 12:12 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Gypsy Jan


Borderland, almost Disneyland; all the entertainment without the exorbitant prices.



I like the Fire-Eaters. Are they still around?

Woooosh - 9-20-2010 at 12:20 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by DENNIS
Quote:
Originally posted by Gypsy Jan


Borderland, almost Disneyland; all the entertainment without the exorbitant prices.



I like the Fire-Eaters. Are they still around?

Maybe they are out at night- just child jugglers for now. Don't be afraid of the food, the frozen yogurts or the great coffees. I think the sushi place closed- that was the only thing I cringed at. Bon appetit!

The Fire Eaters are at the Traffic Lights

Gypsy Jan - 9-20-2010 at 12:46 PM

On Cuahatemoc Sur (sp?), near the Aguacaliente intersection, but, I imagine they wander around, according to time of day, looking for the best location for tips.

This is strictly speculation, but I think that they got chased out of the border area. All the vendors and charities have to be licensed and carry a picture ID. I know that CRREAD does.

DENNIS - 9-20-2010 at 01:13 PM

OK...No fire eaters at the line.
How about the 6 year old kids who stand there and belt out a Ranchera Ballad at the top of their little lungs? That's always worth a buck or two from me.

Woooosh - 9-20-2010 at 01:33 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by DENNIS
OK...No fire eaters at the line.
How about the 6 year old kids who stand there and belt out a Ranchera Ballad at the top of their little lungs? That's always worth a buck or two from me.

Ya know- I miss them too Dennis. Def worth a buck. Those kids sing their hearts out. Maybe they are there on Saturday or Sunday afternoons when more tourists are passing through. Hope so.

sanquintinsince73 - 9-20-2010 at 01:44 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Woooosh
Quote:
Originally posted by DENNIS
OK...No fire eaters at the line.
How about the 6 year old kids who stand there and belt out a Ranchera Ballad at the top of their little lungs? That's always worth a buck or two from me.

Ya know- I miss them too Dennis. Def worth a buck. Those kids sing their hearts out. Maybe they are there on Saturday or Sunday afternoons when more tourists are passing through. Hope so.

Many of these little amigos are Oaxacan and I've read where they are forced to go out and sing/beg for money. Sadly, many are also victims of child predators.

DanO - 9-20-2010 at 01:46 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Gypsy Jan
Also . . . life size, paper mache Rottweiler statues.


And the surfing chimp statues. I got one of those for my brother for his birthday. Told him it was the closest thing I could find to an actual statue of him surfing.

DENNIS - 9-20-2010 at 01:46 PM

OhhhMan....Have you ever been at the SY gates at around 4-AM Saturday or Sunday morning, before the Passport suggestion was put in place? It was a sight to behold. After the bars on Revo closed, the gang-bangers from NOB headed home after a night of eighteen year old revelry.
Lots of cars, more than normal for that time, with people hanging out the windows barfing like winos.......fist fights going on all over the place....horns honking.

Made you proud to be an American. :no:

DENNIS - 9-20-2010 at 01:49 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by DanO

And the surfing chimp statues. I got one of those for my brother for his birthday. Told him it was the closest thing I could find to an actual statue of him surfing.


That's cold :lol:

sanquintinsince73 - 9-20-2010 at 01:50 PM

Fell asleep in line a few times. The car behind you starts honking like crazy. Never did get arrested for DUI, although a couple of friends did.

Woooosh - 9-20-2010 at 02:07 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by sanquintinsince73
Quote:
Originally posted by Woooosh
Quote:
Originally posted by DENNIS
OK...No fire eaters at the line.
How about the 6 year old kids who stand there and belt out a Ranchera Ballad at the top of their little lungs? That's always worth a buck or two from me.

Ya know- I miss them too Dennis. Def worth a buck. Those kids sing their hearts out. Maybe they are there on Saturday or Sunday afternoons when more tourists are passing through. Hope so.

Many of these little amigos are Oaxacan and I've read where they are forced to go out and sing/beg for money. Sadly, many are also victims of child predators.

Are you sure you're not confused with Slumdog Millionaire? Yeah, I know all third world countries have many abused kids, women and whole families. I've watched some of the border kids grow up over the years and they are still there. It's the money, not slavery. Not giving them a buck doesn't improve their day any. At least they are entertaining me and not just banging a Styrofoam cup against my car window.

DanO - 9-20-2010 at 02:25 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by DENNIS
Quote:
Originally posted by DanO

And the surfing chimp statues. I got one of those for my brother for his birthday. Told him it was the closest thing I could find to an actual statue of him surfing.


That's cold :lol:


Seriously, you'd have to see him surf. Have you ever seen a gibbon walk? Very similar in style.

DENNIS - 9-20-2010 at 02:28 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by DanO

Seriously, you'd have to see him surf. Have you ever seen a gibbon walk? Very similar in style.



I hope it's nothing like that statue in San Diego of "Kiki The Hospital Attendant" on a surf board.