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Alex
Junior Nomad
Posts: 56
Registered: 3-18-2008
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Packoderm
So, I'd have to admit that there is some trepidation every time I navigate through TJ. Call it fear. Call it what you like. |
No, definitely your trepidation is warrented. I understand completely.
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BajaGringo
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3922
Registered: 8-24-2006
Location: La Chorera
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Mood: Let's have a BBQ!
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Tijuana is no different to me than most large cities around the world I have been. If you don't speak the local language and understand the local
culture it can seem like a scary place at times. Hell, I speak English and grew up close to LA and LA still seems like a scary place to me.
Over the years I have come to know Tijuana and see it for what it is - good and bad. It is an interesting place for sure and I even met my wife there
in a cooking class a few years back. There are some great restaurants and even better people who are working hard trying to improve the city they call
home and where they raise their families.
If you take the time to get to know Tijuana outside Revo you will see a city with a lot of character, pride and noble people. Don't judge it by a few
headlines or crooked cops.
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Alex
Junior Nomad
Posts: 56
Registered: 3-18-2008
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| Quote: | Originally posted by BajaGringo
Tijuana is no different to me than most large cities around the world I have been. If you don't speak the local language and understand the local
culture it can seem like a scary place at times. Hell, I speak English and grew up close to LA and LA still seems like a scary place to me.
Over the years I have come to know Tijuana and see it for what it is - good and bad. It is an interesting place for sure and I even met my wife there
in a cooking class a few years back. There are some great restaurants and even better people who are working hard trying to improve the city they call
home and where they raise their families.
If you take the time to get to know Tijuana outside Revo you will see a city with a lot of character, pride and noble people. Don't judge it by a few
headlines or crooked cops. |
Thank you! This is the answer I was seeking. I am happy that there are others on this board who have taken the time to experience for themselves what
Tijuana is to them rather than sheepishly listening to others.
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larry
Nomad
Posts: 233
Registered: 8-22-2005
Location: Orinda, CA
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Alex
| Quote: | Originally posted by Packoderm
I try to steer clear of TJ much like I try to steer clear of Oakland when going to and from S.F. Actually, Oakland is less of a pain in the burro than
T.J. |
interesting, I just spent three days in Oakland & survived to tell the tale! |
I love Oakland and try to avoid San Francisco for the same reason I prefer crossing in Tecate or Mexicali to Tijuana--less traffic and parking
hassles.
east bay larry
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tjBill
Senior Nomad
Posts: 516
Registered: 10-6-2007
Location: Tijuana
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I have lived in Tijuana for over two years and love it. It has an excitement and energy that is reminds of the three years I spent in New York City.
If you like big cities than TJ has a lot to offer. Fancy restaurants, lots of nightlife and sophisticated locals.
Even though crime and crooked police are a problem. I have never been a victim nor have I ever paid a mordida to a policemen.
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BajaGringo
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3922
Registered: 8-24-2006
Location: La Chorera
Member Is Offline
Mood: Let's have a BBQ!
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Tijuana is a great city for folks with "Street Smarts". Obviously you have that talent. I think it is funny how so many different people can travel
through a city and have such a different view of it. If I were to judge a place solely because I had some bad experience there would mean there are a
lot of cities NOB I would never go back to.
I take each place for what it is and try to judge it by its best qualities, not its worst. The same that I hope folks would do with su servidor.
I have gotten philosophical in my old age...
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Mango
Senior Nomad
Posts: 685
Registered: 4-11-2006
Location: Alta California &/or Mexicali
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Mood: Bajatastic
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The fist time I went through TJ was in the back of a taxi with no seat belts that was running red lights at 70+ mph.
Other than that.. no, I'm not scared of TJ; but, I would rather avoid it if driving mainly just because I don't know the city well and don't want to
deal with the cops. Via bus, on foot and taxi.. no problem.
I've been through most of the big cities in Mexico. They really are no different than the big cities here in the states when it all boils down.
Mexico can be shocking to newcomers because of it's foreignness or congestion sometimes. Most of Baja is remote and quaint.. and thus not that
shocking. TJ on the other hand, is just.. well in your face.
Although this photo is from another part of Mexico, it demonstrates they type of chaos and congestion found in large cities... . This is a typical
street in the "Centro Historico" district of Mexico City.. (The locals often call it "Centro Histerico" for good reason.)
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thebajarunner
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3718
Registered: 9-8-2003
Location: Arizona....."Free at last from crumbling Cali
Member Is Offline
Mood: muy amable
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Mexico City is my favorite city in the entire world, and I have been in many major cities.
Years ago I spent lots of time in TJ and came to know it and appreciate it. For all the reasons cited above, and more. Lots of really nice people
live there, for sure.
In recent years it has been easier just to try and skip past it, actually my goal is to skip past everything until the bridge south of San Quintin.
The "real Baja" starts after the Los Pinos slave camps, IMHO.
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BajaGringo
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3922
Registered: 8-24-2006
Location: La Chorera
Member Is Offline
Mood: Let's have a BBQ!
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Hey - Wait a minute! We are in the process of moving south from Rosarito into San Quintin. You mean we STILL won't be in the REAL Baja???
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thebajarunner
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3718
Registered: 9-8-2003
Location: Arizona....."Free at last from crumbling Cali
Member Is Offline
Mood: muy amable
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Yep, sad to say, it don't start 'til near El Rosario.
But, the good news, you are getting closer (sure a lot closer than Oakdale)
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Hook
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9010
Registered: 3-13-2004
Location: Sonora
Member Is Offline
Mood: Inquisitive
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The only thing I am scared of is Lackey pitching poorly in the first game against the Red Sox.
PEOPLE.....GET YOUR PRIORITIES IN ORDER !!!!!!!!
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Shark18
Banned
Posts: 79
Registered: 5-4-2007
Member Is Offline
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If nothing else they have a sense of humor about it
"Garantiza Estado seguridad en Tijuana
Por medio del trabajo de coordinación que se realiza en la lucha contra el crimen, el Estado garantiza la seguridad de los tijuanenses, señaló
Francisco Blake Mora, secretario de Gobierno.
“El Estado garantiza la seguridad en el ámbito de los tres órdenes de gobierno, se trabaja y se toman las precauciones, y seguiremos dando un combate
frontal al crimen”, declaró."
http://www.frontera.info/EdicionEnLinea/Notas/Noticias/27092...
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MexicoGringoGuy
Nomad
Posts: 159
Registered: 6-20-2008
Location: Tijuana, Centro/Rio
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Hi everyone!
Well.. I have lived here 3 months now.. and I can say I am NOT really scared of Tijuana.. BUT scared to do MANY things here..
I am scared to go out at night
I am scared of TJ Cops
I am seriously cosidering moving back to Acapulco..
Havent made my mind up yet, BUT I have been throwing that ball back and forth..
Acapulco is Dirty, and crazy, BUT its a diffrent type of city.. I am not scared to go out at night there in certain areas.. If I get stopped by
police there (they ususallu only bother you IF you ARE breaking the law)... the worste that they will do is write you a ticket, and if you so wish a
5 buck 'tip' will get you out of that!
I have also lived in other parts of mexico, and I have to say I feel MUCH more comfortable EVERYWHERE else in Mexico better than I do here in
Tijuana...
So I guess as One that lives in Tijuana, uses public transit to get around day to day.. Shops here, etc etc.. I can say personally I guess I am a
little scared..
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Shark18
Banned
Posts: 79
Registered: 5-4-2007
Member Is Offline
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| Quote: | Originally posted by MexicoGringoGuy
I am scared to go out at night
I am scared of TJ Cops
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Yeah, for good reason. Two TJ Tourist police grabbed an American in the Tourist Corridor today, stole his wallet and cellphone, then put a gun to his
head and said if he ever came back they would kill him. You can read about it here, in Spanish.
http://el-mexicano.info/nota.aspx?idNota=320783&esSecc=t...
I guess the poor guy didn't have Bajagringo's "street smarts", and foolishly assumed the Tourist Police were there to protect him.
Oh, and there was another shoot-out in Rosarito tonight. Three dead and four wounded. Don't know much about it, but the truck the guys were in had
California plates.
[Edited on 9-29-2008 by Shark18]
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Ken Cooke
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8947
Registered: 2-9-2004
Location: Riverside, CA
Member Is Offline
Mood: Pole Line Road postponed due to injury
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While I'm not afraid, I sure watch my back while in Tijuana.
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capn.sharky
Senior Nomad
Posts: 686
Registered: 9-4-2003
Member Is Offline
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I avoid Tijuana at all costs. Not scared, but cautious. Police are corrupt, drug guys all over the place. Violence. Just an ugly place. I avoid
areas of Los Angeles too for the same reasons. Why take a chance. I'm old and just don't need the thrills anymore. Any large, poor city is just as
well avoided. Tijuana in the early 50's was great. Used to go every weekend to the track at Caliente. I will leave TJ to you young folks. By the
way, I also avoid skydiving, bungie jumping, leaky boats and ugly wemon.
If there is no fishing in heaven, I am not going
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movinguy
Nomad
Posts: 257
Registered: 3-19-2004
Location: Chula Vista, CA and Tijuana, MX
Member Is Offline
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| Quote: | Originally posted by BajaGringo
Tijuana is no different to me than most large cities around the world I have been. If you don't speak the local language and understand the local
culture it can seem like a scary place at times. Hell, I speak English and grew up close to LA and LA still seems like a scary place to me.
Over the years I have come to know Tijuana and see it for what it is - good and bad. It is an interesting place for sure and I even met my wife there
in a cooking class a few years back. There are some great restaurants and even better people who are working hard trying to improve the city they call
home and where they raise their families.
If you take the time to get to know Tijuana outside Revo you will see a city with a lot of character, pride and noble people. Don't judge it by a few
headlines or crooked cops. |
Since I started dating my Tijuanense novia I have spent a lot of time there - couldn't agree with you more. Lots of beauty beneath the ugliness . .
.
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BajaGringo
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3922
Registered: 8-24-2006
Location: La Chorera
Member Is Offline
Mood: Let's have a BBQ!
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| Quote: | Originally posted by movinguy
Since I started dating my Tijuanense novia I have spent a lot of time there - couldn't agree with you more. Lots of beauty beneath the ugliness . .
. |
I suppose most are in a hurry to get to parts further south and never have the opportunity/time to find out for themselves. That is their perception
of the city and I always say that your perception is your reality.
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Ken Cooke
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8947
Registered: 2-9-2004
Location: Riverside, CA
Member Is Offline
Mood: Pole Line Road postponed due to injury
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My first Jeeping adventure took place on the streets of Tijuana in 1991. I won't/can't say any more... 
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BajaGringo
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3922
Registered: 8-24-2006
Location: La Chorera
Member Is Offline
Mood: Let's have a BBQ!
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Ken Cooke
My first Jeeping adventure took place on the streets of Tijuana in 1991. I won't/can't say any more... |
But do you have pictures???
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