Tijuana Gringo | |
Daniel's Journal | by Daniel Charles Thomas |
2 January 2002. Wednesday. |
Well, it's a good thing Tere's plane didn't get in until after ten o'clock at night because I woke up late with a champagne hangover, if you believe that then I have some bridge property on the moon I'd like to sell you believe anything you read or see on TV or here? Get a grip, get a clue, this is the INTERNET!!!!! This is Salondotcom land where anything goes and hey, I may tell you the truth, but I tell you it is fictional.
Except that Tere's plane really did get in after ten oclock at night last night and I have just spent the whole damn day crossing over to Tijuana with her and escorting her home in La Mesa and then THREEEEE HOURSSSS waiting (no only two-and-a-half) in line to cross over the border again. Yum yum september eleven and holiday afternoons. REMEMBER, WEEKEND AFTERNOONS (that means HOLIDAYS, Too, like January 2nd when alll the Mexican U.S. citizens and residents are coming back from vacations in Mexico....) WEEKEND and HOLIDAY AFTERNOONS are NOT a Good Time to cross back to the U.S.
We took a cab from Plaza Viva Tijuana to Tere's door -- it was Isaac driving, coworker of Angel. Twelve dollars. That expense because of her suitcase and backpack and bag of stuff.
After I kissed her goodbye at her house I came back to downtown via the Taxis de Ruta, the Red&Black line that runs along the Bulevar Diaz/Agua, only five pesos.
I shared the back seat with two busdrivers from Guadalajara, Paco and Eduardo, who drive for Pacifico. They got out on Madero, but I went on to the downtown sitio. Wanted to walk through downtown, down Constitution. What with staying in San Diego with the parents' for the holidays, it has been almost two weeks since I've been back to Tijuana. Everything seemed rather quiet -- no big surprise for the day after new years, eh? Things not really back into swing yet.
But the line waiting to cross north was Back INTO SWINGGGGG yeessshhhh. Cars were lined up all the way back into downtown, and up the big Paseo toward CECUT in the river zone.
Walked across the river pedestrian bridge. Saw Hector selling gum at his spot. Crossed on toward the border gate and saw, that, yes, as I had feared, there was a humongous line of pedestrians, too. But then, partway up from the end of the line... look... it's Paco and Eduardo waving at me. Mmmmm hello boys, good to see you, yes! You just saved me half an hour of extra waiting!
But it still took more than two hours. At least we had good conversation. They asking questions about San Diego. Talking about the weather. It was getting cold as the afternoon wore on. Finally we got through to the U.S. and they went off to shop in the San Ysidro outlet stores. I got the trolley north to San Diego, and then the bus up to my parents' house. Got here (where I'm typing tonight) (LIAR You Write THIS ON FRIDAYYYYYyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy) at 6:30.
Moral of the story: Listen to my own advice. Do NOT COME Back North on Weekend or Holiday Afternoons!
But I had to get back. The parents have gone off on post-xmas vacation and I promised to watch their house.....
*Sigh* but I miss Tijuana....
And now Mom says they won't be back until next week. And she had promised me she would be back by this weekend. I have planned to spend Saturday night (the 5th, when the three kings come and give gifts) with Tere in my apartment. But....
Well, I guess I won't have any Christmas at all with her. Weep weep weep bring on the violyns.
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January 2002 |