As you heard I went to Tijuana. It happened and I apologize it has taken me so long to report back on the excursion. I had finals and work all weekend and am finally catching back up. Friends have asked me how visiting Tijuana was, others asked me why I had gone there at all.
For me, visiting Tijuana had nothing to do with the place and all about the value of the trip. I personally have no connection to Tijuana, and as most of you know I do not even consider Tijuana real Mexico as it is a place that gets abused by many young adults as a way to bypass U.S. drinking law. I am sure it is no news to anyone that Tijuana is the destination for many people in the U.S. as it is the closest place they can drink before being 21. I have always found that silly as in my family there have never been too many restrictions regarding drinking, great choice on their part because I was more prepared when I went off to college. Back to the focus of this post.
Going to Tijuana was the ultimate ritual to validate my being a resident now. On this trip I discovered how the Hispanic culture travels. There are shuttles that will drive you to Tijuana and back for $30/person. They also have destinations to Las Vegas and San Diego, it was a very interesting experience as anyone growing up in mainstream America would never know the existence of such affordable travel. When the shuttle arrived in San Ysidro (since the shuttles never actually cross the border) my dad and I walked through the border. There were swinging doors we walked through, then some small barricades and there was a yellow line on the ground that marked U.S. Border on one side and Mexico Border on the other. There was a sign that read, "Legal documentation will be required to re-enter U.S. Border". I had a quick flashback to my fear of finding myself in a situation where I wouldn't be able to re-enter this country again and I felt instantly sick. But reality was, I simply walked over a yellow line on the pavement and I was in Mexico . . . there was nothing ceremonial about it.
We were in Tijuana for several hours until it just became way too depressing to be there. I saw donkeys spray painted as zebras, their white paint had turned yellow. The strangest thing I saw was what looked like the entire Tijuana police department parked right outside the Tijuana Cathedral, it was a whole street barricaded off that was lined with a dozen Ford trucks and cops just hanging out watching everyone walking by.
I knew at the beginning of this journey to Tijuana that the thing I looked forward to most was coming back, yes I hadn't even boarded the shuttle and I was already looking forward to returning. This was all just to prove a point, I'm free. I am still looking forward to boarding a plan only to arrive to my real home and see somewhat familiar faces. In reality I know I will hardly recognize any of my family, but knowing that I will see faces that will be extremely happy to see me is what I really want. It is all about human connection in this life, nothing but human connection.
I am happy and thankful that my dad and I made it back safely. Most of all thankful that I attained what brought me pain and countless tears for so many years. I know that there are still a lot of people out there awaiting their turn. I know it's a painful process, but patience pays off. Just make the best of the time that you have here in the U.S. because not everyone is as lucky as us.
MUCH LOVE!!!
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