I had a guy tell me once that if I wanted to know what to write about I needed to actually “live” life. The concept of living life and then writing about it is great as long as what your living and writing about doesn’t consist of going to work, paying bills, sleeping and then getting up to do the same thing all over again. So it is with that in mind that when I’m out and about I look for things to do or people to see that are of - interest. Some experiences and situations I have encountered haven’t always turned out to be the best but I have found potential stories in every one of them.

Few weeks ago I found myself in the city of San Diego. I had been there for three days and it had been warm and sunny every day I was there. Although, I really didn’t get a chance to enjoy much of it. I spent the majority of my time there on business and on the last day of my visit I was wondering what to do with the few hours I had left. So I got in my rental car and went for a drive.

The city was hoppin’, of course, there were people everywhere. Saw a big Navel ship in the marina and what looked like a replica of a pirate ship. Tours were available but, for me, closing my eyes and using my imagination would save me roughly twenty bucks so the drive by sufficed. Ultimately I ended up on the freeway headed south and was about to call it quits and head back to my motel when I saw a sign that read: “3 miles to the border”.

First thing that went through my mind was, “Three miles? That’s it and I’m in Mexico?….I’m in!” A spark of excitement went through me and the gas peddle went down. Trying to think about what I may need, I made a quick call to my friend Charlie knowing that he’d been before and could give me the scoop on what to bring.  Charlie didn’t answer, so I pulled off at the next exit and went to a seven eleven, just by the exit, and asked the clerk what I should take with me. Fortunately she did speak English, although it was broken English, and she said I should get some pesos then pointed me across the street to a money exchange. I went, swapped some cash for pesos and was on my way.

I came to the border in no time and then when I saw the sign, “Entering Mexico”, the reality of what I was about to do set in along with - Fear. My mind raced with thoughts of the Swine Flu, the fact that I can’t read or speak Spanish, thoughts of horror stories and Mexican prisons, with no way to just blend in being a white guy, by himself, driving a rented red mustang convertible into Mexico …..can you say - smart? (sarcasm of course)

Realizing what I was doing, coupled with the fact that I couldn’t just change my mind and turn around, I resigned to just go. Just do it. No fear. And for a brief moment, I was calm. Then I actually got there.

The streets were crazy! People were driving fast, honking at me for driving too slow, I couldn’t read any of the signs, so I was trying to follow the flow of traffic which proved to be a bad idea ’cause I ended up in places I probably shouldn’t have been. The roads were narrow, some not marked and in poor condition. What appeared to be a two lane road I discovered would fit three cars side by side with not much room in between. I tried to keep my distance the best I could, tried to be accommodating and always polite, that just seemed to upset people more. I looked for a place to park, totally wanting out of that ride. Just to walk, see the place, with no pressure but had no luck finding a place that was close enough to the shops or that looked remotely safe. So I stayed in my vehicle, made some calls, bragging, of course, pretending to be waaay cool but feeling totally stressed.

With every person I called I kept hearing the same thing - GET OUT OF MEXICO! I didn’t listen however and was dead set on seeing the place. Then Charlie returned my call. I thought YES! At last, someone who knows this place! Charlie had been there before, speaks some Spanish and I figured he could hook me up, tell me where to go, what to do. But by that time I think I had been driving on those crazy roads for nearly an hour and a half, slammed at least three red bulls, maybe more, can’t remember, it was hot, I was tired, stressed and was talkin’ and driving faster. Charlie’s advice, after calling me crazy nearly a dozen times…..GET OUT OF MEXICO! And well, I figured I better listen considering in talking to him he said I was driving in Mexico with a car that stood out and had no insurance I probably had a good chance of getting hit on purpose so they could file a claim. So….after a bit of work I made my way back towards the States.

The State side entrance of the border is a little different than entering the Mexican side. There is a line and its long! Sat in traffic over an hour before getting up to the border. While I waited I was offered all sorts of stuff to buy. Food, drinks, pictures, papers, gum, etc. even had my window washed for a buck. What I realized is that if you did decide to be nice and buy something, which I did from this old lady that looked like she shouldn’t have even been out there, that meant you had money and more people would come to try and sell you stuff. And check this out, when in Mexico asking for directions, no one spoke English (at least that’s what they’d say) when I get in the line to go towards the border where they are selling stuff, then saying, “no hablo espanol” doesn’t work cause some of those guys knew English, and they’d switch to talkin’ English just so they could sell me something. So a few times I would respond, “No Italiano!” just to cross them up! Got some weird looks doing that.

Finally at the gate and a few dollars lighter (I kept all the pesos I exchanged), I pull forward to the boarder guards booth and turned off my engine at her request. Then she steps out and says, “Passport please.” And I’m like, oops! I didn’t bring my passport! I went on the spur of the moment. She didn’t seem to pleased and wanted to know what I was doing in Mexico without a passport. I explained to her that I was just checking things out, she shook her head repeatedly and then checked out my bag, my vehicle and my flight and license information. She said that I had picked a wrong time to go to Mexico, that with the Swine flu and the fact that the drug cartels pretty much own Tijuana I was lucky to be getting out. Said it was a good thing I got out before dark. I played as dumb as I possibly could, which under the circumstances wasn’t too hard, apologized and she let me through. For a moment there, I thought I may have a problem….lol.

At any rate, I went to Mexico but was totally disappointed that I didn’t get to see much, or do much. BUT, it was an adventure, and one that I am totally dying to do again! Think I may have to learn a little Spanish before I go though….the only thing that I really recognized was the middle fingers people were holding up….think that was their way of saying, “Welcome to Mexico!”