The last time we were in Mexico was a short day trip we made to Tijuana. Even if the trek was easy enough to get there from San Diego, it was a considered a waste of time. The whole time we were there to look around, we were heckled by vendors trying to sell there wares. It was intimidating. After a couple of blocks of walking through the area, we hopped back to the bus faster than you say San Ysidro.
When I suggested to include a trip back to Mexico, J quickly shot down the idea. Back in San Diego, I talked to some folks we met and asked about their experiences going across the border. Most of them had a great time, the only difference was that they passed on Tijuana, instead, they drove down to Baja California. Personally, I want to give it another shot.
My plan was to park our rental car in a gated lot close to the border and hop in the Mexicoach bus that would take us straight to our hotel. It sounds easy. Unfortunately, we got stuck in traffic. The usual 3 hour drive from L.A. to San Diego became a 6 hour nightmare. We missed the last bus. The Mexicoach bus driver wasn't as helpful. He advised us to get the next day bus or catch a $50 taxi. Unacceptable. We already had a nonrefundable hotel reservation. There should be another way. Upon my insistence, the driver told us to walk across the border where we can get a bus that goes to Rosarito Beach.
As we walk to the border gates, my heart is pounding and my mind wandering. The border gates is this huge cagelike metal that you might have seen in most subway station. Once on the other side, there is no way back. Somehow, I expect to get mugged once we cross the border.
We kept on walking till we saw a taxi station. There wasn't any bus in sight. I walked over to the guy that was washing a car and explained that we have to take the taxi to the bus station. It would cost us $5. We went through it. The bus station isn't a station but an intersection were all the mini vans were lined up. It doesn't have a time schedule, it leaves whenever it fills up with passengers. This reminds me a time when I was going to college in Manila. The bus drops me off to Buendia and I need to catch an fx to Escolta.
When we hoped on mini-van, all fears gone and I am more than excited to get to our hotel. The fare cost us $3. If we took the Mexicoach , it would have cost us $30. It was a huge cost savings for the mere inconvenience of walking across the border on foot.
All the Tijuana anxiety are wiped off. We had a new found love for Mexico. J was more excited than me to go around the area. Tomorrow, we plan to have lunch at Puerto Nuevo, visit Foxploration and dip to the hotel pool.
Photo credit: wikipedia.com
When I suggested to include a trip back to Mexico, J quickly shot down the idea. Back in San Diego, I talked to some folks we met and asked about their experiences going across the border. Most of them had a great time, the only difference was that they passed on Tijuana, instead, they drove down to Baja California. Personally, I want to give it another shot.
My plan was to park our rental car in a gated lot close to the border and hop in the Mexicoach bus that would take us straight to our hotel. It sounds easy. Unfortunately, we got stuck in traffic. The usual 3 hour drive from L.A. to San Diego became a 6 hour nightmare. We missed the last bus. The Mexicoach bus driver wasn't as helpful. He advised us to get the next day bus or catch a $50 taxi. Unacceptable. We already had a nonrefundable hotel reservation. There should be another way. Upon my insistence, the driver told us to walk across the border where we can get a bus that goes to Rosarito Beach.
As we walk to the border gates, my heart is pounding and my mind wandering. The border gates is this huge cagelike metal that you might have seen in most subway station. Once on the other side, there is no way back. Somehow, I expect to get mugged once we cross the border.
We kept on walking till we saw a taxi station. There wasn't any bus in sight. I walked over to the guy that was washing a car and explained that we have to take the taxi to the bus station. It would cost us $5. We went through it. The bus station isn't a station but an intersection were all the mini vans were lined up. It doesn't have a time schedule, it leaves whenever it fills up with passengers. This reminds me a time when I was going to college in Manila. The bus drops me off to Buendia and I need to catch an fx to Escolta.
When we hoped on mini-van, all fears gone and I am more than excited to get to our hotel. The fare cost us $3. If we took the Mexicoach , it would have cost us $30. It was a huge cost savings for the mere inconvenience of walking across the border on foot.
All the Tijuana anxiety are wiped off. We had a new found love for Mexico. J was more excited than me to go around the area. Tomorrow, we plan to have lunch at Puerto Nuevo, visit Foxploration and dip to the hotel pool.
Photo credit: wikipedia.com
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