The local’s guide to Baja California

This premise of the site is:  Our take on living in Baja.

This is a “transition phase blog”.  As we are new to the region, the culture, and overall way of life.  The ultimate goal is a lifestyle change, one that includes more time with family and friends, hobbies, and overall freedom.  Currently we don’t have much free time yet this remains our goal.

Topics of discussion will include moving here, working from here, and playing here.

Everyone I know does it.  Some more than others but it’s always the same wait.  Some claim it’s better before 6am others never attempt until after midnight, one guy claims midday is best.  I don’t know any better I hit the line without a plan, without a scheme.  I prepare by bringing along reading materials, and tune to the radio for support.  I’m good at driving and reading… more like reading and inching along… I know where they are coming from but I wonder where everyone on the line is going? Does the guy behind shades know what he is doing? Averaging 12 minutes with every car on this line could he be stalling until his shift change coming? He’s Asian I’m Mexican meeting along this man-made nuisance called the border. Another 2 hours gone…

Baja Day Trip – Hanging out with the family having fish, shrimp, and lobster in Rosarito.  Went to the fish market and brought home all of this along with several bottles of wine from Guadalupe Valley.  All for under 100 bucks.

Showers at the Alisito Camping site in Baja California

We live here.

Chimney’s

Price ranges are 25-50 dlls.  These are great prices and they include sturdy metal stands. One always could haggle… Funny thing, we don’t haggle much anymore because we are fully aware of the hardship the lack of tourism dollars is causing to the local merchants up and down the coast.  Being blessed with the opportunity to live out our dreams makes us appreciate what we have and don’t mind paying asking price. As you begin to plan your 4th of July, weekend consider loading the family up for a road trip down the baja coast.  Come on down to Baja and pick up one of these chimneys for yourself.

Typical Mexico City Metro Station walk way

Un Viaje

Mexico City Metro ticket allows one entry into the system for 2 pesos about 20 cents.

Mass Transit at the Border Region

Mass transit momentum has been around quite a while on the United States side of the border, with the Blue Line Trolley allowing someone to take mass transit to the border at San Ysidro Station.  While on the Mexican side of the border, citizens mostly rely on taxi’s, taxis vans, and bus service. Although the Tijuana options are affordable, they are the automobile version with limitations due in part because they move with the rest of traffic on already crowded streets and highways.

But that may all be about to change…

Our fellow Tijuana blogger: The Real Tijuana Blog, has exciting news about the future a mass transit on the Mexican side of the border. It seems the system will bring Tijuana in line with the transit efforts found on the United States side of the border.

One interesting quote I’ve read while researching the Mexico City Metro website is:

It reads: “Los programas sociales promovidos en nuestra página, cumplen con el artículo 38 de la Ley de Desarrollo Social del Distrito Federal que a la letra dice: “Este programa es de carácter público, no es patrocinado por partido político alguno y sus recursos provienen de los impuestos que pagan todos los contribuyentes. Está prohibido el uso de este programa con fines políticos, electorales, de lucro y otros distintos a los establecidos. Quien haga uso indebido de los recursos de este programa en el Distrito Federal, será sancionado de acuerdo con la ley aplicable y ante la autoridad competente”

My English translation:

“The social programs found on our website, adhere to Article 38 of the Law of Development of Social Programs for the Federal District (Mexico City) which states: This program carries a public character, it is not sponsored by any politico party, its subsidies comes from the taxes of all. It is prohibited to use this program for political or electoral gain. Anyone found in unlawful use of this program or its resources within the Federal District (Mexico City), shall be sanction and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law”.

My only observation
I can’t wait for this rail line to open. The simple fact that the region is at the cusp of breaking into and creating a true mass transit system on both sides of the border speaks volumes to efforts on both sides of the border. May the system be as it is intended to be with the possibility of serving the greatest number of patrons.

Hopefully, the two sides can achieve similar outcomes as what is found in Mexico City. Create a mass transit system that takes into account, and is true to the uniqueness of the Border region. “De todos – para todos”.

The past several months have been constant. A constant drive between one of these three cities:  Los Angeles,  Las Vegas, or Tijuana, Mexico.  Whether it’s to fulfill paperwork, fix a broken sink, pay a bill, or seek other investment opportunities.  We have no time other than to hit the road.

Our sincerest apology

To friends, who looked forwarded to our last minute movies, drinks, whatever events and to our familia , who enjoyed Sunday morning restaurant hopping tours. We really mean to make it up to you guys. Our sincerest apology.

As the saying goes, be careful what you wish for…

Saludos,