Oh my dear, Neal. Why did you do that? I would agree with the above poster's recommendation about Rosarita Beach, but I've heard in recent few years it too has gone down the slippery slope. Even the immigrant Mexican folks here in CA snicker about Tijuana. Having been there a couple times, the first thing one wants to do upon return is to have a long, hot, soapy shower! There are a lot of medications available without prescription in TJ (Lomotil for travel, antibiotics etc) but I've never been able to feel comfortable swallowing them! Border towns are pretty grim!

I understand perfectly why Neal would go to Tijuana. When you love to travel--to experience life--like he does, you take the hamburger when the prime rib isn't available. I've been to Tijuana twice (I, uh, went one day and found it so fascinating that I returned the next). I bought lots of cheap crap, none of it that I still own. I bought the fake Rolex watch, ate tacos made by street vendors, drank a few Coronas, saw some cheesy musicians playing "authentic" music, had my picture taken with the "zebra", and bought penny candy from urchins for 25 cents. Travel, I think, is what you make of it. <BR> <BR> I live in Iowa and edit a magazine about travel here (no web site address will be listed because I've seen how flame throwers can destroy a person). Iowa takes plenty of bad raps on this forum, but it's a beautiful state with a growing list of attractions, including some fine art museums (and I've traveled around the world and seen the best), some classy European-style hotels, a couple of terrific summer signature events, and a whole lot of nice people. My job, naturally, is to give people information about traveling here. Many people go away happy, some are very disappointed. <BR> <BR>With that frame of mind I try to visit places like Tijuana, South of the Border in South Carolina, Wall Drug in South Dakota, etc., expecting the worst and often times coming back with great memories. Any day I can learn something (even if that something relates to the number of hats with fake dog poo on the brim available available at Wall Drug) I consider it a worthwhile exercise. I travel to be entertained. But I also travel to be challenged, to be educated, to be exposed, to be overwhelmed, to be coddled and to be disapointed. As the song goes: "I think I'll bang my head against the wall, because I'd rather feel something than nothing at all." <BR> <BR>Thanks Neal, for the memories of my time in T.J. (Now, work your way up to Pat Pong in Bangkok. Now that's a tourist slough for you.)

Hey Jwagner: <BR>I disagree that Iowa gets a bad rap on this forum. As a matter of fact, I think it is rare that anyone ever mentions Iowa in any forum, travel or otherwise.

Cute.

JWagner: Your sanguine sappiness is sickening! But then again, most of you "life is what you make it" people usually are!!! (Tijuana, indeed! NOT!!)

Bad Ideas: <BR>--Taking up golf to get some exercise <BR>--Serving frozen pizza to someone because he told you he loves Italian food <BR>--Going to a bar in hopes of meeting someone nice <BR>--Going to Tijuana to experience a foreign culture

Tim, <BR> <BR>Geez, you really need to get out of the house more. Sorry for my chipper tone. Hopefully, the nausea passed and you can get out and get your presription refilled soon.

I once got to visit (just passing through) Nueva Laredo. I've passed on subsequent opportunities to see Tijuana.

<BR>upupupupupupupupupupupu for Jim!

Topping in answer to recent question.

The "toxic" item that was supposed to be contained in some of the Mexican vanilla was cumarin (sp?). IIRC, it was either determined to be a false story or the brands that had it were withdrawn until they were changed. I have a friend who purchased Mexican vanilla in bulk to ship east for friends in the baking business - they were very careful about this issue and continued using Mexican vanilla once the details were verified.

Reading this post reminded me of my foray into Tijuana. Dirty - yes, a bit scary - absolutely. We did find a market in which we purchased a leather tote bag for $5, and still have it. But I particularly remember the bottle of Kahlua we bought. I forget the price, but it was cheap. When we got back to our hotel in San Diego, we discovered that the seal had been broken and resealed, God only knows what was in that bottle. We promptly poured it down the sink. Tijuana - been there, done that, never again.