Baja Nomad 2012 Dia de los Reyes Toy Giveaway (Hi-Res)

Leidys and I were real eager to help with the 2012 Baja Nomad Toy Drive - with Tijuana always being the fun place that it is known for being, how could we sit at home and watch the paint peel?

Our first stop down I-15 was for Thai - we visited the reknown Sala Thai Restaurant near SDSU. The Yellow Curry was delicious. http://salathaisandiego.com/

Leidys at Sala Thai



Driving down Cajon Blvd. revealed a number of Thai, Cambodian and Middle Eastern Restaurants. My kind of budget dining!
Look at the '69 Camero on the lift behind Leidys.


Our sunset along I-5 in National City. God Bless America.


The next morning - at exactly 7:14 A.M.


We spotted the MEXICOACH bus speed past our pickup location, so we decided with plenty of time to spare, we would walk to downtown Tijuana.

Not so fast - Doug BAJA NOMAD Means honked at us as we walked across the street in his little Tacoma. We returned (in traffic), tired, blurrey-eyed, and hopeful that the bus would return to its' intended stop...which it eventually did.

Leidys sitting on-board


At 7:50 a.m., the kiosk magically opened and we were able to purchase tickets to Calle Revoluccion. Who would have thought?

Doug purchasing tickets - $6/round-trip - WHAT A BARGAIN!


Doug and family boarding the MEXICOACH




Cindy "Wilderone" eventually boarded the bus, too. She is real nice and had lots of stories to tell about her adventures in Baja.

At the MEXICOACH bus stop in Tijuana, things were slowly coming alive. Standing outside, every 5 minutes a Taxi would sound its' horn and offer to drive us (at a premium) around the city. We waited about 1 hour for Fernando to arrive by shooting video and talking about Baja Nomad.

Doug Means being interviewed for 2012 Toy Drive Video.





Fernando arrived in a rather kick-### Baja ride (by Baja sandards!) (Too bad it was only on loan to him, or I might have had to borrow it!)


Everyone had to stop and get a look at the people inside!


Fernando sped off - He was crazy-busy all day. No wonder he lost so much weight!


[Edited on 1-16-2012 by Ken Cooke]

As soon as Fernando sped off, the MEXICOACH arrived. We boarded the bus and when Fernando returned (sans BAJA PRO-TRUCK), we were off to pick up our bus load of passengers.


Sparkling-clean - I bet Fernando washed the bus - it was clean, just like his Pro-Truck he was loaned.


Fernandos daughters helped this year. Boarding the bus are daughters Daniella (on crutches from a broken ankle) and Sofia. You can just make out Wilderone to the left and Ladies is front/center.

ALL ABOARD!


The Baja Pro-Truck owner emerges with Fernando as the passenger - ready to hit the blvd.!


Fernando with the Papparazii!

En route to our destination (part one)

Rain clouds threatened our day, but never presented a problem.


Happy families boarding the bus - ready for a great day.



Fernando and Doug talked logistics all day.


Tijuana street sign


The bus filling up




Some of Tijuana's youngest residents attended.



Big brother looking after little sister


A young Tijuana family



Children a-plenty!


The girl (in the back) won a bicycle!


Lots of family togetherness



The bus is now full of passengers and ready to take us on a short tour of Tijuana on the way to our destination - El Trompo



[Edited on 1-16-2012 by Ken Cooke]

[Edited on 1-16-2012 by Ken Cooke]

[Edited on 1-16-2012 by Ken Cooke]

Touring some of Tijuana's most prestigeous neighborhoods!

I would gladly move here if the right opportunity presented itself!






The new Caliente casino is an example of "Mex-I-Can!" (did anyone see the film 'Machete'?}


My wife commented how beautiful Tijuana is.



The new Tijuana WORLD TRADE CENTER!


Entering the new EL TROMPO CHILDRENS MUSEUM OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY!


Upon arrival, three additional busses had picked up children from some of Tijuana's most impoverished sections to receive gifts compliments of members of the Baja Nomad forum.


Ladies with "Sleepy Eyes"


This little guy was happy throughout the day thanks to our hard work!


Anticipation for todays events.



[Edited on 1-16-2012 by Ken Cooke]

Before going to the event, Ladies and I walked through the exhibits and were impressed by what we saw inside

El Trompo Tijuana




Fernando located some great volunteers for the days events.
Here, a volunteer is handing out tickets to the children.





Fernando and his daughter Daniella stood by and watched as the lines progressed smoothly.



Ladies (Leidys) enjoyed the museum. (Did I say that already?)


I took a few photos throughout the day (believe it or not)


Wilderone, Doug, Fernando, Ken Cooke - BAJA NOMAD!



[Edited on 1-16-2012 by Ken Cooke]

The event

Face painting!







The event was filled with so many children - more expect to come next year!


Children's names were read from a list.













[Edited on 1-16-2012 by Ken Cooke]

After cleaning the venue, stacking chairs and tables, and hauling out trash bags, we made our way to the front of the museum.

Videotaping the train exhibit!




The bus ride back...



"Buckle your seat belts!"


Bye, bye El Trompo!


Fernando spoke to families and we laughed on our way back to "La Linea".



Here's to a successful 2012!


[Edited on 1-16-2012 by Ken Cooke]

Quote:

Originally posted by Ken Cooke Fernando arrived in a rather kick-### Baja ride (by Baja sandards!) (Too bad it was only on loan to him, or I might have had to borrow it!) Everyone had to stop and get a look at the people inside!

a Kick-### Baja ride indeed

Quote:

Originally posted by Ken Cooke The Baja Pro-Truck owner emerges with Fernando as the passenger - ready to hit the blvd.![/size]

I can't imagine how much he has to spend on gas

Yeah, I've had that suburban for the past 2 years, making monthly payments of course. The guy that took it was one of the volunteers that helped with the toy drive and I asked him to drive it so I could be on the bus with all of you.