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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64858
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Offline
Mood: Have Baja Fever
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That's great news Lou! Mexican made soda is soooo much tastier to drink than the over fizzed, over sweet U.S. stuff!
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bajabeachbabe
Nomad
Posts: 150
Registered: 9-11-2006
Location: Loreto,
Member Is Offline
Mood: Loving life
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The first time is always the hardest
I’ve been waiting for the appropriate thread to share our recent experience at the border. This was our first time crossing the border into Mexico by
car, with our newly issued FM3’s in hand. We knew that we needed to get them stamped at the border, as well as getting our son a tourist visa. We
were pleasantly surprised when we approached the border as it was fairly early in the morning and there were no lines. In fact, we breezed through,
getting the green light. “Wow, was that easy!” we said to ourselves, but where do we go to get our FM3’s stamped? The next thing we knew we were
through the border and even missed our turn-off to the toll road. We were in Tijuana before we blinked. Oh No! “We need to go back and find out
where to get our FM3’s stamped”, we whined. We fought our way through the Tijuana traffic and returned to the line back to the US.
Of course, the line to back to the US was really long and we grumpily sat there being offered every sort of food and newspaper by the hawkers. If we
hadn’t already eaten breakfast we might have taken them up on it, as we had plenty of time to wait. When we finally got to the US booth, we tried to
explain to the officer that we had been in Mexico all of 20 minutes and actually wanted to go back! He was less than helpful and claimed he had no
idea where Mexican immigration was located on the other side. (He must have known, as once we found out where it was located, he could have
practically thrown a ball in that direction and hit the building – it was that close). He spent a long time looking over all our passports and FM3’s,
wrote up a slip of paper and put in under our wiper blade and sent us over to secondary!
When we got to secondary, the officer asked why we had been sent to him. We told him the whole story and he seemed incensed that we had been sent
over to waste his time. He looked at us very sternly and said “This is where they send the bad people”. He showed us how to get back to the other
side and we quickly departed.
As we were coming back to the Mexican customs we noted that there is a turnaround lane at the left edge of the US side. The US officer in the booth
could have easily sent us through that turnaround, but instead he subjected us to secondary. What a jerk! Fortunately, we actually stopped once we
got the green light at customs and asked where immigration was. We got our FM3’s stamped, obtained our son’s tourist card and were finally on our
way. It will be one of those experiences that we will often laugh about in the future, but at the time we didn’t think it was very funny.
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Bob and Susan
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8813
Registered: 8-20-2003
Location: Mulege BCS on the BAY
Member Is Offline
Mood: Full Time Residents
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lets see 20min in tj = you go to secondary
there IS no excuse
i certainly would have sent you...
and why show a border guy a FM3???
Never!!! you're an AMERICAN at the border...period
take longer next time
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DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 29510
Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: Punta Banda
Member Is Offline
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I've never seen that side gate used to return drivers to Mexico. I think the gate is actually in Mexico and they probable don't give the US
inspectors the key. Now, why wouldn't they? They all get along so well.
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DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 29510
Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: Punta Banda
Member Is Offline
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Giving a little thought to what I posted above, we arn't talking about the same turn-around. I believe you referred to the one just past the booths.
Turning you around there would have been really nice and helpful but, that isn't part of their training, evidently.
In my opinion, the border area can bring out the worst in people, drivers and inspectors. It just isn't a very friendly place.
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Oso
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 2637
Registered: 8-29-2003
Location: on da border
Member Is Offline
Mood: wait and see
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Paulina
I had an officer in secondary threaten to shoot my dog once. I guess he was having a bad day.
P<*)))>< |
Me too and I think my tocayo and I have had this conversation before. I agree that LE personnel have the right to not get bitten and should issue a
warning if and when someone's dog acts in a threatening manner. This was not the case, my dog was not growling or even looking at the peerick, so the
threat to shoot was gratuitous and uncalled for.
I believe the current acronym is ICE, Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
I've crossed the border many, many times and out of every 10 I'd say the ratio went like one jovial or humorous comedian, two pleasant even friendly
people, one grump, one real ( . ) and five simply straightforward professionals.
Once, long ago, when I was young and the Blue Fox was still extant, I got a good laugh from one when I was returning from TJ about 3AM. "Are you
bringing anything back from Mexico?"he asked. "God, I hope not." I replied. 
[Edited on 5-7-2007 by Oso]
All my childhood I wanted to be older. Now I\'m older and this chitn sucks.
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DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 29510
Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: Punta Banda
Member Is Offline
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The Blue Fox? That calls for a whole new thread.
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Barry A.
Select Nomad
Posts: 10007
Registered: 11-30-2003
Location: Redding, Northern CA
Member Is Offline
Mood: optimistic
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Ahhhhhhhhh yes, the BLUE FOX--------and it was only 11 miles from my house-----------
That takes me WAYYYYY back. Who will start the thread? (very possibly nobody will participate??????)
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DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 29510
Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: Punta Banda
Member Is Offline
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Well, I was there but my memory banks have been wiped out. It was a while ago, mostly after the bullfights.
I have to think about this.
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DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 29510
Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: Punta Banda
Member Is Offline
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The Foreign Club ----- The Long Bar ----- It's slowly coming back.
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Barry A.
Select Nomad
Posts: 10007
Registered: 11-30-2003
Location: Redding, Northern CA
Member Is Offline
Mood: optimistic
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Dennis------been there-------- done that---- loved it all!!!!!
The "Foreign Club" was our official station after the Bull Fights at the old arena in the late 50's, early 60's-----and wasn't the "Long Bar" right
next door?
Can't quite think of the name of the pretty classy little restaurant down the little alley off main street where the soft tacos were prepared that we
all ate there 100's of times------I was always amazed that a bottle of Carta Blanca cost more than the rest of the meal there, and the meal was
GREAT!!! Do you know where I mean??
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DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 29510
Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: Punta Banda
Member Is Offline
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Can't think of it,Barry. No doubt went there but memory isn't working today.
Foreign Club to the Long bar was, I'm sure, within walking distance and we probably had one or two of those stirred Margaritas together.
Jeezo......What a time, What a place. Where else in the world could a young man go to a bar after the fights and first, easily find a table, then
meet one of the bull fighters who survived to drink with the crowd? Rites of passage were fun for me. Remember what three bucks would buy?
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Barry A.
Select Nomad
Posts: 10007
Registered: 11-30-2003
Location: Redding, Northern CA
Member Is Offline
Mood: optimistic
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Dennis------
-----I just saw Ferna's post about his new "day job" and he mentioned dinner at the "La Especial" restaurant-------THAT'S IT------that is the
restaurant where we always ate lunch or dinner after the "fights".
I am amazed, and pleased, that it still exists and is doing well.
Yes, those WERE the days, and boy did I love them!!!! And as for safety in TJ????--------it never occurred to me (young and crazy) that safety was an
"issue", and therefore never had any significant problems there.
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DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 29510
Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: Punta Banda
Member Is Offline
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Good memory Barry but it escapes mine. Oh well.......can't remember everything.
You're right. In those days, safety was never considered. Probably because we were young and fearless but, more likely it was a less dangerous
environment. And, after a couple of tequilas, who cared? We were part of the scene. Those were the days.
People today, who are here talking about Baja as it was, should remember those perfumed bars and too sweet rum'n cokes, the smell of naugahyde from
the upholstery shops and diesel fumes at every corner mixed with the aromas from the street kitchens. All in all, Mexico. It was so close to home
but, so different.
I grew to love it. I hope I can keep the memories. They still smell good.
More, Barry, more. Keep the memories alive. I guess you don't want to answer the three dollar question but, I know you know the answer.
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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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Wow, you guys have to come and walk with me, it's all still right there exept for the long bar. The long bar was on the other side of the street
between 2nd and 3rd and the foreign club was / is between 3rd and 4th across from La Especial. Los tacos de La Especial are part of history, lomo,
chicharron or frijoles with the pickled serranos and carrots and the radishes and green onions 
I'm sure it would be fun and we can all have our pictures taken on a burro.
A well informed Baja California traveler is a smart Baja California traveler!
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DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 29510
Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: Punta Banda
Member Is Offline
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It's on for me but, only if the burro is striped with washable acrylic zebra paint, approved by the EPA and the Humane Society.
Kidding aside, Ferna, I would love to join your tour, especially since it crosses paths with my youth.
Wadaya think, Barry?
Anybody else want to relive a little part of their youth?
Im not afraid. Lets do it.
Hey Bernie.......... I know you were there...
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Barry A.
Select Nomad
Posts: 10007
Registered: 11-30-2003
Location: Redding, Northern CA
Member Is Offline
Mood: optimistic
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Boy, do I remember those "pickled carrots, seranos, and radish's" at La Especial, and I never got enough of them.
Being about 800 miles to the norte of TJ (Redding, CA) it is somewhat awkward to take that walk with you, Ferna and Dennis, but I sure would enjoy it,
I know.
Dennis, I ain't touching that "3 dollar" question with a 20 foot pole.
It sure is good to think about all that, tho.
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Debra
Super Nomad
Posts: 2101
Registered: 10-31-2002
Location: Port Orchard Wa./Bahia de Los Angeles BC
Member Is Offline
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I've never, ever had a bad experience with an agent, and I've ALWAYS been over the booze limit, I declare it. I've been asked if I was headed home
(I have Wa. plates) and I always say yes, they remind me "next time you blah, blah, blah" I smile and thank them and am on my way. I guess they
figure I won't be reselling it in CA.?
A couple of years ago the guy spotted my plates, asked where I live in Washington, then begain a long conversation with me, seems he was stationed
in Bremerton years back.....(I often wonder how POed the people behind me in line would have been knowing they were being held up because this guy
wanted an update on this old Navy stomping grounds.
Don't know why I seem to get such good treatment when others often have horror stories to tell. Maybe because I'm a woman traveling alone with a
young child? Don't know, but, I'll take it.
Mean people suck!
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sylens
Senior Nomad
Posts: 584
Registered: 4-6-2005
Location: Ensenada
Member Is Offline
Mood: ando bajando
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my best and worst
best was going north to visit family for christmas, i replied to the "what are you bringing" question, "a couple of pots, and..." when the customs
guy interrupted and said, firmly and conspiratorially, "NEVER mention pot here!!" husband and i laughed out loud and we wished him a merry christmas
and were on our way.
worst was when we both, simultaneously, responded, "nothing" and the border guard exploded at me, indicating that he was asking my husband, the driver
of the car, and that i had no business interrupting. wow. blew me away.  
talk about having a bad day
lili
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