I have to start this off on a somber note. My mom called me just prior to me crossing the border to let me know my Uncle had passed away in the night. Him and his family moved to Iowa when I was younger and I hadn’t seen him since my grandmother’s funeral 20+ years ago. I had planned to make a surprise visit while I was in Chicago to go see him and my cousin. I saw a post when I got to San Diego last night about missing my aunt and I thought, I’ll message him in the morning to let him know I was going to come visit once I had a date of when I would be in Chicago. That moment never came, it sat with me all day. Friends – tell those you love that you love them whenever you can. Because one day may never come. I love you Uncle Kevin, I’m sorry I never got a chance to say good-bye.
This trip has been about making the most of what time we have on this planet. I’m trying to still make the most of the day after this news.
My first misadventure was attempting to cross into Mexico with only my Enhanced Drivers License. In Washington these have been sold as a valid way to pass by land and sea to Canada and Mexico. It’s always allowed me into Canada with no issues the last twenty years. Apparently, Mexico not a fan of this form of ID, especially when I left my passport at hime because it’s expired. I was next in line and a guard noticed I only had my license out and ask if that was all I had. I explained what the EDL does to my understanding. He pulled me out of line and takes me to another guy who asks if I have my passport. Then brings me into a screening room with another person. This is where our language hits some barriers. I speak very little Spanish, and I’m trying to explain when I was asked what I was doing in Mexico that I was going to Costco and getting lunch. I had to explain what I meant by Costco, I believe they though I said hospital. Once we finally got it sorted, I mean shopping, the guard tells me next time I need to bring my passport and took my photo. Now I’m not clear if this meant i’m being sent back to the US – he clarified that he meant I oculd enter the country. I start to leave the room and see the line of people and I turn around to ask if I needed to go back in line. I get he was frustrated now and says “NO, just go left” I apologized again, said thank you and entered the country.
After a morning of picking up medication, finding a bottle of mezcal and just walking around I called an Uber that took me back to the border. This is the next adventure. My driver dropped me off, immediately a guy approached me about an express bus that would take me through the border in 10-15 minutes. I had read online before my trip that this was the way to go when returning, as the lines can be hours long. So I say OK sure, he then directs me to a guy to pay my $20 admission. I pay them, they point me to another guy who hands me a ticket and tells me to follow him. I follow him around the block and he points me towards a bus across the road. I approach and someone gets my attention and points me to the check in counter. Finally I board this bus packed with people. I find a spot in the back, our driver gets on after packing a few more people into the bus and we start driving.
We approached the border and go through a gate, then told we need to get off and pointed to the U.S. entry building. A few minutes later i’m through customs and batch the metro back to my motel.
I was so sweaty that I immediately take a shower before I plan my final adventure for the day. I decided to go to the San Diego Zoo. I was being realy ambitious with all this walking. At first the zoo was easy, but after I got turned around a couple times walking up some decent inclines I got tired out quickly. I got to see a penguin, panda, leopards, some birds and orangutans. The park was about to close so I didn’t get to see the copybaras, I made my way towards the exit. It took me a bit, lots of stopping and taking breaks.
When I finally got to my car I decided I hadn’t eaten at all today. A quick Google I found a place call Fishguts that sold fish tacos. They really hit the spot. I checked my Apple Watch to see just how much I walked today and it was over 16,000 steps so I rewarded myself with a spicy mango margarita. I love Tajin on anything.
Tomorrow I head back to LA, I have a couple stops to find some cool signs. Mostly though I’m going to relax when I get to my hotel. Another quick note I found out i’m going to be getting a photo pass for the show in LA, I’m going to Saturday nigth at the Paladium. It’s cool the connection I’ve made with musicians affords me opportunities through my photography.
Final thought on international travel. I tried to not be a dumb American, prepperd and planned adnauseum before I left and still came off as an idiot. All I can do is be polite, sorry Mexico border guards, I wouldn’t have been at all mad had you just sent me home and I’m thankful you let me visit your country.
