What Could Go Wrong In Tijuana?
Joe Escalante ·
Jun 29, 2011 at 12:31am
To the horror of much of our family, my wife and I drove to Tijuana Sunday for a wedding. We drove to a seaside restaurant north of Ensenada for a ceremony, then back to downtown Tijuana for the reception in an open air garden exposed to a street perfect for spraying bullets from.
We finally turned in around 2 am. The next day we drove our family Lincoln to a taco stand pictured at left, then a quick 30 minute border crossing, cheating death once again. I report all this because I avoided TJ for close to two years due to reports of too much violence. What I saw there was just millions of people getting on with their lives, and having weddings and such. For what it's worth, I'm not avoiding it any more.
- Comment (4)
- · Quote
- · UnfollowFollow (0)
Comments :
Jun '10
Re: What Could Go Wrong In Tijuana?
I sort of know what you mean, Joe. I once got caught up in a riot in Srinigar. Rather than join the flood of people fleeing the police, I took a step to the side and watched the scene from the cover of a doorway. Eventually the mob, followed by the police, passed right by me. I made my way back to my hotel through side streets where people were going about their business completely unaware of the melee only a block away. I think the lesson here is that violence is very localized and normality the general rule.
Jan '11
Re: What Could Go Wrong In Tijuana?
I did not realize that TJ had an increase in violence over the last several years -- that's too bad. When I was in the Corps during the 90s it was one of my favorite places to go on a 72 or 96 [three-day or four-day weekend in jarhead jargon]. All the dog and taco vendors; the cheap beer and tequila; the bars teeming with young people doing their best to get to know one another; the haggling over the price of cheap, yet interesting, trinkets that I really didn't need while walking along the streets; and the cute 9-year old girl who wanted to sell some Chicklets before I crossed back into the United States. Good times. I'm glad to see that your trip there went well, Joe.
Feb '11
Re: What Could Go Wrong In Tijuana?
Joe, I'm glad the trip was uneventful but you never know when the fireworks will happen. Having said that it seems that since "El Teo" and his gang (he was the one leaving severed heads and dissolving bodies in acid among other things) was captured the really gruesome and public violent acts have diminished. Yet one never knows because journalists are not reporting what is happening anymore since they are under threat from cartels. It's definitely not Cuidad Juarez but I have not gone down there in years (I also have family there). The Navy and Marines enforce a strict no go area order for TJ ever since the cartel violence got out of control.
Oct '10
Re: What Could Go Wrong In Tijuana?
Depends on what kind of gambler you happen to be..