[QUOTE=Ed Norton]Nice job, Chica Chaser. Your reporting style is detailed, clear, and enthusiastic.
I find that success in a Spanish-speaking country correlates highly with one's ability in the native language. As a clue to guys who hope to emulate your success, could you rate your own ability (beginner, high-beginner, intermediate, high-intermediate, advanced...or some such)?
Also, I find that a short line at the return border-crossing has a lot to do with one's feeling that a TJ trip was successful. You touched on this, and others have as well. Looking at an entire week, what days/times of day do you recommend for short lines, and which do you suggest be avoided?[/QUOTE]
I would guess I am a high beginner, but learning. I recommend getting Rosetta Stone Spanish for your compuer. I have started using it and it really does work. I think you will increase your chances of a good hookup if you can speak the language at least a little. I think the people there appreciate and respect you more if you can try to communicate in their native language. Once thay see you trying there will be a line of willing volunteers to help you out and I believe your mileage will be higher if you can speak some Spanish. Spanish skills will be particularly helpful if you want to deal with any of the Street Girls as I found that english among them is almost non-existant. Not all of them but most. The biggest thing I can recommend is to NOT go in there with any type of attitude. None of the loud, obnoxious or belligerant American "I'm just here to drink and fuck" attitude, yelling and carrying on. I saw this a couple times Friday night with a group of young Americans. I was embarrased for them and they were getting some attention from the security guys and policia. Show respect to everyone you see and you will have no problems.
As far as the border return, I crossed at several different times with vitually no wait. I recommend that you don't drive across as those line were long, very long in many cases. The walk across was short every time. I would guess that the worst times to walk over would be early to mid mornings when many natives are crossing to shop or work or whatever. Again, I never waited more that 5 minutes after the approach and getting in the que lines, of course I always had my passport so no issues once at the podium. They will only ask "What are you bringing back" I didnt try the smart ass answers, just "nothing" and they let me right through. When I carried my overnight bag you have to run that through the x-ray machine like at the airport.
Also, I never carried my beer outside on the street and DON'T be drunk or obnoxious anywhere but especially on the street. There are some shady looking people around who I'm sure would have no problem taking advantage of you. And you don't want to attact any attention to your yourself from the policia, there are plenty of them around the main areas of the zona. I talked to several of them at different times, they were always courteous and professional to me. Talked to one of my taxi drivers and he was lamenting about the bad press the "narcos and policia" situation has brought on TJ and other border towns with a decrease in tourism. I never had any problems or felt threatened in any way during any of my time over there. Just be on your game and keep an awareness of where you are and what is going on around you at all times, you shouldn't have any problems.
One other thing, beware of the panhandlers on the street. They are everywhere. Just a polite "gracias, no" to whatever they are selling or pushing was enough to keep them away from me. Looks like my next trip to Mexico is going to be Juarez next month, they have has a lot of problems there too. I will report over there on the El Paso board what I find.