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FARASHA
Senior Nomad
Posts: 848
Registered: 6-3-2006
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KenS - Please check your U2U - >f<
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KenS
Newbie
Posts: 12
Registered: 1-18-2007
Location: San Diego
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Thanks
Thank you all very much for you responses. Sorry I kind of dropped off the thread after I started it, but I began to think it was a little silly to
have even posted it. What happened to me is so insignificant in the larger picture that I'm now a little embarrased.
However, I think that putting what I was feeling in writing and seeing thoughtful responses that were sensitive to my feelings have helped me feel
this way. (I actually wrote my original post about five times, changing it from a CAPS ON rant to something that was hopefully a little more rational)
Some people asked me specific questions or raised issues that I'd like to address, so I will do that in direct response to those postings.
Thanks again and BTW, in spite of what I said in my original post, I won't stop going to Baja... what a goofy thought. I'm thinking of going to
Ensenada this weekend.
Ken
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KenS
Newbie
Posts: 12
Registered: 1-18-2007
Location: San Diego
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| Quote: | Originally posted by bajabound2005
What's happening in TJ is not normal. Tijuana is pretty much under military law right now due to its enormous problems. A trip to TJ is NOT a trip
to Baja, not even close! Next time, drive down, and get further south. Or walk over and hop on the ABC bus to take you wherever it might go! You'll
have a much more pleasant experience. |
I have actually thought of taking a bus just for a change of pace. Where do he ABC busses leave from?
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KenS
Newbie
Posts: 12
Registered: 1-18-2007
Location: San Diego
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| Quote: | Originally posted by fdt
I am very upst at this that happened to you, it is not normal. I really don't have great writing skills, specialy right now that I read your post.
These abusive %$@?*^$%$ should be sent to some shark or piraña infested waters. There are many, if not the vast majority of us Tijuana residents that
are really trying very hard to change this. For 3 weeks now you could sense a certain degree of peace in the city, when the above mentioned
%^$%#*)*(&%^ had no weapons, call it coinsidence if you want, but we all felt prety good, there was some doubt, but as time passed we did not feel
unsafe without them having guns. They, the ^$%^^%#$%%&^are so ridiculous, with that slingshot BS they did. Believe me, most of us did not feel bad
for them. Now they have their guns back and we realy hope they don't come back with a vengence. Were they armed? I know that they aren't all
^%&^$&&^*, but the 2 or 10 or 100 that are make a name for them all. I know for a fact that there are people with power or position that
are trying to make a difference and there are some of us that are doing it in our own different ways, because we want to know that we live in a good
city, a peaceful, noble, welcoming, friendly, safe and hospitalarian city. I have to dissagree with those that say that Tijuana is not México or that
is not Baja California, because it is. This is not Baghdad, we are not and never were under martial law, whoever sais that IMHMO resembles the
sligshot cops, just ridiculous, not worthy of a response.
I've done it before and will do it again and again and every time I see that I can, I will intervene. First thing tomorrow I will drop everything and
persue your case with whatever authority can give response to this. I am sure you realize that in order to do this I will need some info from you, ie.
names? badge #'s? time of day? etc. Can you do this?
What a way to start this day,  |
fdt - thank you for your kind words and I'm sorry this was so upsetting for you. Unfortunately all I can tell you is it was about 8ish pm on the
pedestrian bridge that many of us take to downtown (can't explain where it is, but hopefully you know what I'm talking about) The bridge was nearly
empty but not completely and I was not the only person stopped. I did not see if they were armed as they were both wearing big jackets. I didn't ask
names, badge numbers or anything all I thought of was getting home.
Sorry I don't have more information but I do applaud your efforts to make positive changes.
Ken
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KenS
Newbie
Posts: 12
Registered: 1-18-2007
Location: San Diego
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Hook
I hope this doesnt appear callous, as you were clearly violated. But could you clarify something.....did the policeman proceed to relieve you of the
contents of your wallet? It was unclear to me.
A groping of a 40ish man would be, well, something that I have never heard of by TJ police, unless it was simply a thorough weapon search.
[Edited on 1-28-2007 by Hook] |
Hook - No, the policeman didn't take anything from my wallet and he actually counted the bills without removing them (maybe he wasn't counting, just
looking for something between each one?) he was the only one I encountered who cared to look in my wallet and he did not look in the small shopping
bag I was carrying
Ken
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FARASHA
Senior Nomad
Posts: 848
Registered: 6-3-2006
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Great to see you are back on KenS ! Welcome BACK - sometimes memory comes back, after couple days you might remember some things!
>f<
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DianaT
Select Nomad
Posts: 10020
Registered: 12-17-2004
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| Quote: | Originally posted by KenS
Thank you all very much for you responses. Sorry I kind of dropped off the thread after I started it, but I began to think it was a little silly to
have even posted it. What happened to me is so insignificant in the larger picture that I'm now a little embarrased.
Ken |
It is easy to become embarrased, but don't! You were violated by a power and control freak with an act of violence--and because of his power, you
were not able to respond toward him---a wise decsion.
Glad you didn't just shake if off----might have come back on you.
Take care of yourself --- good to hear you feeling better.
Diane
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fdt
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4059
Registered: 9-7-2003
Location: Tijuana, Baja California
Member Is Offline
Mood: Yeah, what if it all goes right
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OK
A well informed Baja California traveler is a smart Baja California traveler!
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SoCalAl
Nomad
Posts: 156
Registered: 6-8-2004
Location: Punta Banda, Ca
Member Is Offline
Mood: Hungry
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Hello KenS,
Many years ago, 16 to be exact I was stoped by TJ Police for urinating in a parking lot structure. I walked for blocks back then and could not
find a toilet and or an empty lot or foeld or anything and I had to go. So I walked into the parking lot structue where I had parked my car after
dropping my little brother off at the airpost that afternoon and decided to take a wiss right there. By the time i was getting ready to get into my
car, the police magically showed up. I could not figure out how they had made it inside the parking structure on foot and then the nightmare began.
At first it was about money.... They just wanted a bribe but the truth was I did not have much, about 15 dollars in my wallet. They searched
my car, my pockets, my wallet and in particular there was one officer (jerk) that was very agressive. They asked me to explain why I did what I did
and the one officer agreed there was no restrooms in the area while the jerk was like, well that is no excuse, your not a little boy. So I knew right
there I was in deep crap.
The one officer told the other guy let's get out here as they took my fifteen bucks but the jerk insisted no. So they or rather said the jerk
put me in the back of the patrol car and started cruising the city wit me in the car all the meanwhile trying to convince me to go to the ATM and get
him some cash.
I got to a point where I said I do not have any. All I had was what I gave you. So this JERK, decided he was going to intimidate me further by
driving the patrol car into some hills (I think in Otay Mesa) or somewhere towards the airport. The sun was already sitting on the horizon and it was
geting dark. This guy wanted the money at all costs and I knew it was a volitole and dangerous situation. All the mean-while the partner was politly
trying to tell the guy to forget about it and just take me back. But the jerk insisted and began to get angry.
I remember I did have some money in my account enough to withdraw the maximum at the time, I think 200 dollars and I had told these guys I did
not have it so I knew I could not back down. I had to stick with my story if it cost me my life. I knew that if I had given in to the Jerk's demands
I be i deep crap. So up on the hill and already in the midst of dusk and nightfall upon us, the two officers began to argue. So the Jerk began to
walk around into the driver seat and the other officer opened the back door and asked me to get out. I got out and they left me on top of that hill
with about 10 mintes of daylight left.
In my heart I was always thankful to God and that one officer who told me to get out. I knew that he saved me from at least a beating if not
my life. I was not excited about taking my brother into TJ but did it cause he is family and look what happend. Anyway to make a long story short
after walking for a few minutes, I convinced a family living on the hill to give me a ride to my car and I walked into the ATM across the parking lot
pulled out a few bucks and gave it to the people. I felt a little redemtion as I handed them a $20 and thought about all the other possibilities.
When I drive to Baja, I drive right through TJ, I don't stop to eat, I don't stop to drink or socialize, I just drive through cause I have to but
I consider TJ the Compton of Baja. No a days I drive right through Rosarito and soon I know I will be driving right through Ensenada as I already do
half the time. I guess it is just the nature of the beast of greed. Give them a chance and they will stick you. But south of Rosarito I feel safe,
at least for now.
Don't be discuoraged, that kind of stuff happens even in America as it something similar happend in San Diego few years later with INS officers.
It a power trip for many of those guys.
SoCalAl
Ahh Baja.... Where you can hear yourself think & commingling with the locals will humble you.
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Iflyfish
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3747
Registered: 10-17-2006
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Good to see you back online Ken and I am glad to see this is getting resolved for you. There are some wonderful and amazing people on this forum.
Many of us have this sort of experience and remain silent and then carry the scars. Your sharing of your experience will, I hope help us all to be
cautious and more open in sharing our experiences with others.
I really like what jdtrotter, Diane, said about embarrassment. Embarrassment is often what keeps us from talking about these experiences and then
these experiences can become internalized i.e. "what could I have done to cause it?", "what did I do different this time" etc. and negative decisions
can be made that further affect our lives, like, "I caused this", "I will never do..........again." This further victimizes the victim.
Female victims of sexual abuse and rape often do not report their experiences due to shame and the inevitable blame inherant in the questions about
how they might have handled things differantly etc. I think it is often even more courage for men to report these experiences.
I mentioned a film in my previous post. I now remember the name of the film. It is called "Crash". It is an excellent movie that explores that complex
dynamics involved in this sort of experience. I would highly recommend this film to anyone interested in this issue.
Iflyfish
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Mike Supino
Nomad
Posts: 351
Registered: 10-16-2002
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| Quote: | Originally posted by SoCalAl
But south of Rosarito I feel safe, at least for now.
SoCalAl |
I'm thinking El Rosario not Rosarito!
Therianthropic
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SoCalAl
Nomad
Posts: 156
Registered: 6-8-2004
Location: Punta Banda, Ca
Member Is Offline
Mood: Hungry
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Mike,
You may be right... Maybe I did mean south of El Rosario Really though,
once you are away from the border towns it gets better. Once you are away from the hustlers and etc. Border towns tend to be inhabited by people
from all over the country and mostly with people from major cities. So even when a say "farmer" or someone from the country or a small pueblo come to
places like TJ, they themselves are victimized. I am Mexican born in Mexico, speak fluent Spanish, became an American Citizen and yet I have been
targeted several times in Mexico and each time it has been by police. I can think of three incidents right off the bat. Two in TJ and once in La
Jolla (believe it or not) For the cop in La Jolla I had to pop out my US
Passport and as soon as I did that he stoped dead in his tracks about how he was treating me. You know I still have the cactus leaf forhead look
(Cara de nopal) but these guys do not know that I am an American Citizen... 
Once I traveled to Puerto Vallarta and the Mexican Customs agents, would not let me into Puerto Vallarta and or out to return to the USA. They held
me for about 30 minutes trying to get me to pay them a few hundred dollars. I finally gave in to their demands and forked out 15 dollars I remember telling them, is this the way you treat Mexicans that come back home.
The guy said how do I know your Mexican? I said do you not see my birth certificate? He said you could be Central American? I said and you can't
tell simply by looking at my Cactus Face? Like I said I speak fluent Spanish and I told the guy since when did you ever here a Central American speak
like a Mexican does.
Ohh in that one they had a woman frisk me well at least this time it got me
thinking, , never mind..
Ahh Baja.... Where you can hear yourself think & commingling with the locals will humble you.
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kellychapman
Nomad
Posts: 246
Registered: 9-19-2006
Location: Loreto CBS
Member Is Offline
Mood: heavenly
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It seems like I hold my breath from the TJ border till south of Ensanada.......my hands have to almost be pried from the wheel upon first entry...but
after that it is all good......at least for me in the years of living here....This all sounds like a horrible experience and it is not normal in my
eyes and being a woman I can relate.....hope your feeling better. Mexico is a great place and horrible things happen everywhere.....it sucks......
My only experience was a horrible time in the wee hours of the morning just out of Ensanada (talk about stupied) and the cops wanted me out of the
car....I refused and put my stafford shire terrier in my lap....cost me 600 pesos but sure made me sweat....and I DID NOT GET OUT OF THE CAR......
I am alot more careful now!!!!
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zforbes
Nomad
Posts: 334
Registered: 4-11-2005
Location: Bahia Asuncion
Member Is Offline
Mood: Living the dream
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I appreciate all the responses and info
I have been debating if I have enough experience to drive from San Diego to Asuncion. After hearing these stories, I think I'm not yet familiar enough
with the roads and turns to venture on my own through TJ. Beyond that, I feel ok (well, except for those hairy grades with skinny roads). Thanks for
sharing your experiences. Zoe
\"You cannot prevent the birds of sadness from passing over your head, but you can prevent them from nesting in your hair.\"
Swedish proverb
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Bajalover
Nomad
Posts: 227
Registered: 9-16-2006
Location: The Cottage at Ocotillo Hills
Member Is Offline
Mood: Strongly - Missing Baja
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zforbes, it's not that bad. The first time is alittle stressfull but once on Hwy1 toll road it's quite easy. If you're driving south to Asuncion on
Sunday 2/4 - I'll gladly join you on the southerly route. Shall be towing a Coors Can Condo (airstream trailer).
If not - good luck with your travels and don't let TJ traffic get in the way of your Baja experience. Baja's great.
Sometimes you really do question; why you are and where you are.
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kellychapman
Nomad
Posts: 246
Registered: 9-19-2006
Location: Loreto CBS
Member Is Offline
Mood: heavenly
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It is one of the most beautiful drives ever and is very stressful at first....then you can relax and have a wonderful time....but being a defensive
driver helps alot....I have traveled it many times and love it....you should team up Bajalover if it works out for you....what fun....I cannot wait to
go up to Asuncion and shake rattle and roll...
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Iflyfish
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3747
Registered: 10-17-2006
Member Is Offline
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zforbes,
you wrote: I think I'm not yet familiar enough with the roads and turns to venture on my own through TJ.
I recently inquired on this site for information as to how to navigate through TJ. If you search my posts you will be able to find it. My internet
connect is bad here in Todos Santos or I would do it.
You will find an excellent post on how to navigate TJ.
It is actually rather easy. Just stay in the right hand lane. Always the right hand lane and follow the signs to Ensenada, that will lead you to the
toll road. Others may have even better advice. I just know that it was easy for me. The only difficulty I had was finding the office where one gets
the tourist visa's and long term permit for our RV. That too is not hard if you know where you are going and folks here can tell you.
I would highly recommend that you come to Baja. You will love Asuncion and Shari, Juan and Serena will introduce you to the culture in a wonderful
way. You will be very safe there.
Travel during the day and you will be fine. Thousands do this every year. There are bad things that happen, they can happen anywhere. Knowledge is
power and you have a wonderful resource here with the Nomads.
Iflyfish
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