fun-filled weekend part 2

Last Saturday the three of us (David, Kraig, and I) started off our day with free Ikea breakfast. It was a beautiful thing, and it was David's first trip to Ikea. I'm glad we could be there to share that moment with him. Anyways, breakfast was good- and then we got ready to head to Tijuana... our plan was to drive there, park right before the border crossing, and then walk in. However, it did not work out that way. Before we knew it... we were driving through the Border Crossing.... or should I say, driving past the sign that says "border crossing." There is no real checkpoint going from the US into Mexico. They do not check who you are or what you are carrying.. As long as you are carrying American money, I guess they do not care! Anyways, the crossing back into America is completely the opposite... and the line was very long- so we decided to take our chances and find a place to park in Tijuana. We drove down Avenida Revolucion (Tijuana's main tourist strip) for about 5 minutes before we decided that driving there was not a good idea. Out of nowhere, cars in the far left lane would just go and make a right hand turn in front of all of the other lanes of traffic. Also, our US insurance does not work in Mexico, and we have heard that our cars are not safe there.

We finally found our way back towards the border crossing and waited in the super long line. We saw many amazing things while in line. There were vendors everywhere trying to sell one last souvenier or one last tamale to the people going back to the US. Some would actually set up their booths between the lanes of traffic! We did buy some churros from a lady walking down the road. They were $1.50 for like 10 of them. I only had $2, so I gave it to the lady- then the traffic started moving and Kraig had to follow. The lady actually came back with my 50cents- see there are still honest people in this world. There were also these guys that wanted to wipe down your car. They would spray a little glass cleaner and then just wipe the dust around on your car. There was a truck a few lanes over (see above picture) that payed for this service and the guy cleaning the car actually jumped up into his truck bed... to make sure he did a thorough job. we saw kids juggling and men walking along with arms full of things to sell. One guy had Mexican wrestling masks down one arm, a giant fiberglass turtle in one hand, and crosses with Jesus hanging down his other arm. Mexico is a place for variety.. that's all I can say. After about an hour and a half to go a mile or so.. we made it to the crossing.

You do not have to show passports to get into Mexico but you do have to show them to get back into the US. I was nervous because my passport lists me with my maiden name, and I did not want to get detained! Anyways, Kraig was driving and thought that if he was nice and funny towards the border patrol guy checking us out, that maybe that guy would loosen up a bit.... you will never guess or believe what kraig said- but believe it, because I am going to tell you exactly like it happened.

Border patrol guy- "How long have you guys been in Mexico"

Kraig- "Just long enough to turn around."

Border patrol guy "Are you brining anything back with you?"

Kraig- "just people.....(long pause)....my friends here."

Needless to say, David and I are shocked right now, and the border patrol guy is not amused. So he asks whose car it is, asks to see the registration (which is under my married name) and makes us pop the trunk. Once we were free and back into the US... we couldn't stop laughing at the whole situation. By this time, it was later in the day and we decided that we would try Mexico again on Sunday.

For lunch we ate at Jollibees. David wanted to eat there because there are only a few of these restaurants in the US and all of them are very far away from MI. The rest of them are in the Phillipenes. It is a fast food restaurant, modeled after McDonalds. However, David says that in the Phillipenes, you are considered higher class if you eat at McDonalds... I should live there! I love McDonalds! Anyways, the Jollibees mascot is a giant smiling bee. They sell cheeseburgers and fries and also sell some Filipino cuisine. Kraig and I were the only white people in the restaurant and Kraig said we were being stared at... but we had David as our ambassador, so it was okay :)

Next we took David to Mission Beach so that he could see the Pacific Ocean from this side of the world. We walked along the water and stood in the waves, I think the tide was coming in, and the waves definitely got us a few times. It was really fun and the water was pretty cold. We even got to see the sun going down. After that, we drove around for awhile and ended up eating at Olive Garden. Kraig and David ate some more seafood... I think Kraig was just happy to have a seafood-eating buddy. After dinner, we went back to the apartment and played with the Wii some more...