Hey peeps, it's been awhile since I posted in this forum but I had to go to the dentist yesterday and thought you mongers would like an update on TJ conditions.  It was my first time down in 18 months, since I had my boob job in MX.

First the border parking midweek was back down to $8.00 from $10.  I park in the last lot right by the border gate.

There were two army guys in combat gear keeping an eye on the Mexican cop who checks bags going into Mexico.

After you pass the bag check bear to the right and you can avoid the tourist taxis, then when you reach the street turn left and go to the head of the taxi line.

The white Taxi Libre cabs are still $3 to downtown.  The Yellow cabs will try to hit you for $5 or even $10.  The rate is $3.  If you can't make a deal walk around the corner by where the buses stop and there are other cabs.  Or just take the bus for about 50 cents.  It will stop about 2 blocks from the Cahulia party zone.

As for the flu, it seems to be old news.  It never was along the border anyway, so no worries.  Revolution was vacant...  sad for the people who rely on the tourist biz.

Violence.  We saw a lot of police activity.  PD cars and trucks rushing all over in mini convoys of 2 to 4 cars.  Probably passed 6 all told.

We didn't see any shootouts, or gutters full of blood.  I'd say you are probably pretty safe.

Returning the cops at the "sentri" taxi drop off point were conspicuously MIA.  These guys used to rob returning mongers at night.  We were there at 2 in the afternoon, so they may return after dark but hopefully not.

Crossing back:
It took us all of 2 minutes!  Last time in Jan of 2008 it took 2 1/2 hours.  So there is once good thing from all the violence and flu scare.  You can get back once again the same day you left...

Both our passports are expired so we took our birth certs and driver licenses.  But they accepted our passports and didn't ask to see the other documents.  As I understand it you can still cross with just a DL and a CERTIFIED birth certificate.  But this may change at any time.

DRUGS:  I brought back two prescriptions of Amoxicillian and Tramadol that my dentist prescribed.  I declared both and that I had prescriptions and it was no problem.  I wouldn't recommend trying to bring 10,000 Valium across though.

So have fun boys, and remember - "If you go to Tijuana looking for trouble, it will find you."

LOL,
TS Jamie