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| Know About Mexico -Tijuana |
MEXICO
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Visitors to Mexico:
US Citizens:
Photo I.D. is required and a passport is recommended or US birth certificate
for re-entry into USA. Parents traveling with children are recommended to
bring birth certificates.
Non-US Citizens:
A passport, I-94 card or resident alien card is required. Additional
paperwork might apply for visitors. Please advise your local immigration
office/embassy to ensure multiple entries into the US is allowed. The tour or
bus company is unable to wait for tour participants detained or delay out of
the normal wait times.
Visitors to Mexico:
US Citizens:
Photo I.D. is required and a passport is recommended or US birth certificate
for re-entry into USA. Parents traveling with children are recommended to
bring birth certificates.
Non-US Citizens:
A passport, I-94 card or resident alien card is required. Additional
paperwork might apply for visitors. Please advise your local immigration
office/embassy to ensure multiple entries into the US is allowed. The tour or
bus company is unable to wait for tour participants detained or delay out of
the normal wait times.
| Travel Visa Pro have been providing passport services for US citizens since the dawn of 21st century. Should you want to explore more of Mexico on your own you will find a great variety of Mexico Accommodation at very affordable prices. |
Learn the Lingo on your iPod
Join the locals and have fun with our series of free language guides that contain around 30 basic phrases that you can download onto your iPod.
One Day In Tijuana
By Edward Kirwan
Crossing the border into Mexico you suddenly feel alive. Music and colour
surrounds you as you approach Tijuana with an enormous selection of
auto body repair shops opening ready to reupholster your interior or give
your vehicle a Tijuana Paint Job.
Finding parking was easy, if a little unnerving, as the underground car
parks seem to have their own beggar willing to look after your car for the
day. I walked away uneasily from my beaten up, faded silver, rusty Ford
Pinto. As it fitted in well with the local vehicles I did not think it was in
danger of being stolen.
Early morning and first stop was breakfast. It was huge, delicious and
cheap which was just as well considering what was to follow. Wandering
down Avenida Revolucion for a little shopping you are hustled from all
sides by the hungry shop keepers wanting your dollars. Search amongst
the nooks and crannies and you will find some great bargains.
Time for refreshment and I had been intrigued by the constant sound of
shrill whistles and as the city was getting to work, assumed it was the local
traffic police. I was wrong. Instead of choosing a bar, the bar chose me.
The enthusiastic waiter hustled me and my companion to the upper
open-air terrace where two couples were already in full swing as if drinking
sundowners and it was only 11 in the morning. Ordering a couple of beers,
four ice cold ones duly arrived. Two for one, señor was the explanation. I
was getting to like this town.
On the roof top, away from the increasing hustle and bustle, but with the
street noises rising up to greet me came those shrill whistles again. This
time louder. They came from another roof top bar, and then another and
then another. What was this about? The mystery was soon solved with the
reappearance of the waiter carrying a tray of tequila shots. Large shots. He
deftly flicked his pristine white cloth from his arm, pulled back the head of
his victim, placed the cloth under his chin and with his mouth wide open the
victim had his tequila delivered expertly from a great height. All the while
the waiter was blowing hard on his whistle!
Once seen this had to be tried, except I forgot about the two for one deal.
So after a joyous hour or so it was time to join the busy streets again.
Tijuana has a tatty appearance and you can feel uncomfortable at times.
However, the sheer enthusiasm and joy of life that our Mexican hosts
exude, more than compensates for any lack of pretentiousness.
With the sun now high and searching for some tranquility in my slightly
befuddled state, I remembered I needed a haircut. Maybe this is not the
first thing a tourist thinks of when visiting Mexico but if their paint jobs, their
breakfasts and welcome were anything to go by this should be OK. And so
it was.
This barbers shop was better than any tourist information bureau. As the
other patrons patiently waited their turn, they were willing to engage in
conversation and help me with all my questions. Even though speaking
very little Spanish, I discovered the best eating houses, the best bars and
night spots, the state of the economy, the local politics and where all their
families lived in order to visit should I ever return. Strangely the only
woman in the place was the hairdresser. I have never before or since had
a haircut where I was made so welcome, treated so courteously and came
out feeling like a million dollars!
While at the hairdressers I discovered the quieter side of town. I was
directed to a grand theatre, set among lush, peaceful gardens. Here there
are frequent performances of local, national and international talent with
both matinees and evening performances. This is perfect to escape the
heat and soak up some local culture. My only feeling of discomfort here
was that I was under-dressed. I was in the midst of immaculately turned out
people but being in tourist clothes was not a barrier to the welcome I
received. I even recognized faces from the barbers shop. Thank goodness
for my Tijuana haircut!
From San Diego, Los Angeles and the South Western States it is easy to
visit both Mexico and Tijuana.
Edward Kirwan resides in Southern Spain and with Danish writer, Dorte
Holm Jensen, is co-founder of Finca Fantastica Travel
By Edward Kirwan
Crossing the border into Mexico you suddenly feel alive. Music and colour
surrounds you as you approach Tijuana with an enormous selection of
auto body repair shops opening ready to reupholster your interior or give
your vehicle a Tijuana Paint Job.
Finding parking was easy, if a little unnerving, as the underground car
parks seem to have their own beggar willing to look after your car for the
day. I walked away uneasily from my beaten up, faded silver, rusty Ford
Pinto. As it fitted in well with the local vehicles I did not think it was in
danger of being stolen.
Early morning and first stop was breakfast. It was huge, delicious and
cheap which was just as well considering what was to follow. Wandering
down Avenida Revolucion for a little shopping you are hustled from all
sides by the hungry shop keepers wanting your dollars. Search amongst
the nooks and crannies and you will find some great bargains.
Time for refreshment and I had been intrigued by the constant sound of
shrill whistles and as the city was getting to work, assumed it was the local
traffic police. I was wrong. Instead of choosing a bar, the bar chose me.
The enthusiastic waiter hustled me and my companion to the upper
open-air terrace where two couples were already in full swing as if drinking
sundowners and it was only 11 in the morning. Ordering a couple of beers,
four ice cold ones duly arrived. Two for one, señor was the explanation. I
was getting to like this town.
On the roof top, away from the increasing hustle and bustle, but with the
street noises rising up to greet me came those shrill whistles again. This
time louder. They came from another roof top bar, and then another and
then another. What was this about? The mystery was soon solved with the
reappearance of the waiter carrying a tray of tequila shots. Large shots. He
deftly flicked his pristine white cloth from his arm, pulled back the head of
his victim, placed the cloth under his chin and with his mouth wide open the
victim had his tequila delivered expertly from a great height. All the while
the waiter was blowing hard on his whistle!
Once seen this had to be tried, except I forgot about the two for one deal.
So after a joyous hour or so it was time to join the busy streets again.
Tijuana has a tatty appearance and you can feel uncomfortable at times.
However, the sheer enthusiasm and joy of life that our Mexican hosts
exude, more than compensates for any lack of pretentiousness.
With the sun now high and searching for some tranquility in my slightly
befuddled state, I remembered I needed a haircut. Maybe this is not the
first thing a tourist thinks of when visiting Mexico but if their paint jobs, their
breakfasts and welcome were anything to go by this should be OK. And so
it was.
This barbers shop was better than any tourist information bureau. As the
other patrons patiently waited their turn, they were willing to engage in
conversation and help me with all my questions. Even though speaking
very little Spanish, I discovered the best eating houses, the best bars and
night spots, the state of the economy, the local politics and where all their
families lived in order to visit should I ever return. Strangely the only
woman in the place was the hairdresser. I have never before or since had
a haircut where I was made so welcome, treated so courteously and came
out feeling like a million dollars!
While at the hairdressers I discovered the quieter side of town. I was
directed to a grand theatre, set among lush, peaceful gardens. Here there
are frequent performances of local, national and international talent with
both matinees and evening performances. This is perfect to escape the
heat and soak up some local culture. My only feeling of discomfort here
was that I was under-dressed. I was in the midst of immaculately turned out
people but being in tourist clothes was not a barrier to the welcome I
received. I even recognized faces from the barbers shop. Thank goodness
for my Tijuana haircut!
From San Diego, Los Angeles and the South Western States it is easy to
visit both Mexico and Tijuana.
Edward Kirwan resides in Southern Spain and with Danish writer, Dorte
Holm Jensen, is co-founder of Finca Fantastica Travel
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