BajaNomad

Tijuana is back!

JESSE - 3-21-2011 at 03:39 PM

On my 4th day on a visit to TJ, the city seems back to its normal self. Lots of people everywhere, stores full, restaurants doing good, and a thriving culinary scene. Still a long way to go, but i am really enjoying this visit unlike other times in the past when you could cut the tension with a knife.

David K - 3-21-2011 at 03:43 PM

Good to hear Jesse! Have a good visit and a safe return trip...

krafty - 3-21-2011 at 03:52 PM

Music to my ears......!

sancho - 3-21-2011 at 03:55 PM

Being such a skeptic as I am, I would have to see
that to believe it. I walked down Revo Ave last
summer, no exaggeration 40% of storefronts
closed. Longtime Restaurants closed. This was on
a Sat. afternoon, there were 12 Gringo tourists
on Revo Ave. And about 5 gringos returning in
the pedestrian line that was 5 blks long.
However the original post did not specify who, in the
way of tourists or locals, were populating these
restaurants




[Edited on 3-21-2011 by sancho]

JESSE - 3-21-2011 at 04:03 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by sancho
Being such a skeptic as I am, I would have to see
that to believe it. I walked down Revo Ave last
summer, no exaggeration 40% of storefronts
closed. Longtime Restaurants closed. This was on
a Sat. afternoon, there were 12 Gringo tourists
on Revo Ave. And about 5 gringos returning in
the pedestrian line that was 5 blks long.
However the original post did not specify who, in the
way of tourists or locals, were populating these
restaurants




[Edited on 3-21-2011 by sancho]


I am having lunch at the new Caesars in ave Revolucion as i type this. Place has about 30 people, lots of people on the street, tourists, not bad at all. Yes its not back to what it was, but its getting back on track.

mcfez - 3-21-2011 at 04:08 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by JESSE
Quote:
Originally posted by sancho
Being such a skeptic as I am, I would have to see
that to believe it. I walked down Revo Ave last
summer, no exaggeration 40% of storefronts
closed. Longtime Restaurants closed. This was on
a Sat. afternoon, there were 12 Gringo tourists
on Revo Ave. And about 5 gringos returning in
the pedestrian line that was 5 blks long.
However the original post did not specify who, in the
way of tourists or locals, were populating these
restaurants




[Edited on 3-21-2011 by sancho]


I am having lunch at the new Caesars in ave Revolucion as i type this. Place has about 30 people, lots of people on the street, tourists, not bad at all. Yes its not back to what it was, but its getting back on track.


Wow! Hopefully good news.
Hey....order me a salad and FedEx it here please :-)

JESSE - 3-21-2011 at 04:09 PM

Just saw a CoachUSA bus full of tourist arriving, havent seen one of those in here in a while.

tripledigitken - 3-21-2011 at 04:11 PM

We had lunch on Revolution about 3 weeks ago and I agree it is improved over what we saw one year ago. Still lots of boarded up shops, but.......unlike a year ago they have for rent signs on them.

Bajahowodd - 3-21-2011 at 04:24 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by JESSE
Just saw a CoachUSA bus full of tourist arriving, havent seen one of those in here in a while.


Really sounds like great news.

However, as I've mentioned in the past, the "official" passport requiremnent has to put a damper on things there.

If the threat of violence went away tomorrow, the old days of extemporaneous trips across the border would not return.

Would be interesting to know just who it was in that bus you saw. That's because no sanctioned tour operator is going to transport people who don't have a passport.

Or.... just wondering.:?:

Javier Plascencia Is Reclaiming His Homeland

Gypsy Jan - 3-21-2011 at 04:34 PM

The people with a passionate conection to their city and thier home, will take it back.

[Edited on 3-22-2011 by Gypsy Jan]

Yeah, But ................

MrBillM - 3-21-2011 at 04:57 PM

How about business at the Beaver Bars ?

I'm always thinking that, before it becomes immaterial, about taking a Nostalgia tour even though the spots I remember enjoying are long gone.

[Edited on 3-22-2011 by MrBillM]

are bus riders illegal aliens?????

mtgoat666 - 3-21-2011 at 05:04 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Bajahowodd
Quote:
Originally posted by JESSE
Just saw a CoachUSA bus full of tourist arriving, havent seen one of those in here in a while.


Would be interesting to know just who it was in that bus you saw. That's because no sanctioned tour operator is going to transport people who don't have a passport.


i don't understand. how do you know the bus passengers had no passports????????????????????

rayfornario - 3-21-2011 at 05:33 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by mtgoat666
Quote:
Originally posted by Bajahowodd
Quote:
Originally posted by JESSE
Just saw a CoachUSA bus full of tourist arriving, havent seen one of those in here in a while.


Would be interesting to know just who it was in that bus you saw. That's because no sanctioned tour operator is going to transport people who don't have a passport.


i don't understand. how do you know the bus passengers had no passports????????????????????

mcfez - 3-21-2011 at 05:39 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by MrBillM
How about business at the Beaver Bars ?

I'm always thinking that, before it becomes immaterial, about taking a Nostalgia tour even though the spots I remember enjoying are long gone.

[Edited on 3-22-2011 by MrBillM]


What are Beaver Bars ? :rolleyes:

Hook - 3-21-2011 at 05:40 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by JESSE
On my 4th day on a visit to TJ, the city seems back to its normal self. Lots of people everywhere, stores full, restaurants doing good, and a thriving culinary scene. Still a long way to go, but i am really enjoying this visit unlike other times in the past when you could cut the tension with a knife.


So, you'll be moving back next month?

Say What ?

MrBillM - 3-21-2011 at 05:43 PM

"Assuming" that the Question is sincere, I can only say that "IF you don't know at your age, there's just no point for you to find out.

grace59 - 3-21-2011 at 05:50 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by mcfez
Quote:
Originally posted by MrBillM
How about business at the Beaver Bars ?

I'm always thinking that, before it becomes immaterial, about taking a Nostalgia tour even though the spots I remember enjoying are long gone.

[Edited on 3-22-2011 by MrBillM]


What are Beaver Bars ? :rolleyes:

Why, a place for rodent rendezvous of course!!!:lol::lol:

DENNIS - 3-21-2011 at 05:58 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Hook

So, you'll be moving back next month?




I doubt he'll be leaving McJesse's before Rick Bayless gives his approval. May take a while.
Hang on.



.

[Edited on 3-22-2011 by DENNIS]

Alan - 3-21-2011 at 06:00 PM

They were merely undocumented tourists

DENNIS - 3-21-2011 at 06:07 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by JESSE
I am having lunch at the new Caesars in ave Revolucion as i type this. Place has about 30 people, lots of people on the street, tourists, not bad at all. Yes its not back to what it was, but its getting back on track.



It's Benny's birthday. There's hardly a card-carrying Mexican in the country on the job today.
HOLIDAY...............Big time.
Didn't you take this into consideration, Jesbo?
I'll bet you did.

JESSE - 3-21-2011 at 11:23 PM





Woooosh - 3-22-2011 at 08:45 AM

I wonder if there is some subtle effort by the TJ business community to lower rents on the still-closed shops. Any improvement in sales will be incremental. Blight is never good for business. Same for Rosarito- unless boarded up nightclubs is a new Rave thing for covert college parties? I think Jesse is onto something though- businesses coming back could (wishfully) be a signal TJ has turned the corner and deals are being made with the narcos to restore public security without hurting the flow of narco-dollars. Just like before.

BornFisher - 3-22-2011 at 08:54 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by MrBillM

I'm always thinking that, before it becomes immaterial, about taking a Nostalgia tour even though the spots I remember enjoying are long gone.

"before it becomes immaterial"--- too funny!!

sancho - 3-22-2011 at 09:40 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Woooosh
deals are being made with the narcos to restore public security without hurting the flow of narco-dollars. Just like before.



Interesting take on TJ and the situation there, I
know you have a closer knowledge than the
average BN Poster

Woooosh - 3-22-2011 at 10:01 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by sancho
Quote:
Originally posted by Woooosh
deals are being made with the narcos to restore public security without hurting the flow of narco-dollars. Just like before.



Interesting take on TJ and the situation there, I
know you have a closer knowledge than the
average BN Poster


There is just too much money to stop it. No one has the will to stop taking the money, so they must find a way to make it work for everyone. People would rather have the narcos make their money from moving drugs- than kidnapping and extortions against the Mexican people. I think that's just the reality for the short term, and Mexico needs a short term fix that brings security and safety before it can take the next step to eliminate the problem- if ever.

Martyman - 3-22-2011 at 03:43 PM

I could use a zombie at The Long Bar

DENNIS - 3-22-2011 at 04:22 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Martyman
I could use a zombie at The Long Bar


She's been asking about you, Marty:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3635/3470530477_7b77a1f787.jp...

Bajahowodd - 3-22-2011 at 04:31 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Alan
They were merely undocumented tourists


My point.

Tour operators are regulated by a bunch of authorites both NOB and SOB. They are not going to get their ticket yanked for filling seats with folks who don't meet the current US requirements.

At least that makes sense to me.

Just perhaps, there are tour companies who accept all customers, hoping that they won't get held up too long at the border.

But, bottom line is that inasmuch as the official US policy is that one must have a passport in their posession upon return, it is a significant chill on those who might consider taking a side trip to TJ.

sancho - 3-22-2011 at 07:49 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Martyman
I could use a zombie at The Long Bar

The Long Bar, when did it close, 20 yrs. ago?
I think the story goes that a Borracho cloud relieve
himself while standing at the bar?

Ken Cooke - 3-24-2011 at 08:52 PM

Thanks for the thread, Jesse. I always had faith in this great city. Have you seen the movie, "The Line?" I hope to spend some time there this summer.

Here's the latest film I rented...

Martyman - 3-25-2011 at 10:30 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by DENNIS
Quote:
Originally posted by Martyman
I could use a zombie at The Long Bar


She's been asking about you, Marty:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3635/3470530477_7b77a1f787.jp...


HAHA She cute, compared to some of the horsefaces I've dated!