Mexico!

So I made it to San Diego, and to celebrate the end of this leg of the trip, my friend Mike took me to Tijuana. It’s the first time I’ve ever been to Mexico, and I was amazed at how easy it was to get there. No border points on the way down, no wait to cross the corder (we walked), and a beautiful day.

I’d be lying if I said there were no hassles, though. Tijuana certainly lived up to its reputation. I was offered tours, taxi rides, drugs, prostitutes, anything a drunken sailor on leave would love. But, of course, I didn’t partake. I’m a good boy.

But we did see some amazing things. First, the zurros. They’re just donkey’s painted to look like zebras, but they stole my heart:

And we shopped for trinkets in a large street market by the old cathedral in the city:

My favorite part, however, was a shrine I came across in the a tiny alley in the market where Mike found these huge jars of pollen, which I thought tasted gross. The shrine was full of candles and coins, remnants of people praying for health and good commerce. Of course, I dropped a few quarters in, as I could use the help. If you’ll notice, on top, are figurines dedicated to the saint of death, which watches lovingly, and helps our ancestors’ spirits take care of us.

But all in all, it was a short day. I have a big trip to take tomorrow, and I am exhausted.