Tijuana, roughly two and a half hours from LA, and the next-door neighbor of San Diego, is not as exotic as I thought it would be.
“En globalization de Tijuana.”
My sister thought I saw it somewhere. We had Spanish subjects in college, gracias.
Tijuana is the cultural and commercial center of Baja California. Before exploring downtown Tijuana, we went to Puerto Nuevo for lobsters. Driving can be super stressful. It can be worse than in Manila. People will suddenly appear on the freeway. Men will also try to stop your car at the area where the lobster restaurants are teeming But food was exceptional. Lobsters at Villa Ortega (my sister learned about the place from insiders) are from Maine, the Caribbean or the playas. Bread, tortilla soup or salad, and tortillas with rice and beans are served with every order of seafood.
Avenida Revolucion is the main street of the zona centro of Tijuana. In the photo is the Tijuana Arch.
Mom and I had awesome coffee at this place. Mine was flavored with amaretto, but I know the distinct flavor has something to do with the beans.
Shopping in T.J. (Tijuana’s nickname) was so much fun. Didn’t find my size in the blue huaraches I liked. Mom bought us embroidered peasant dresses and tops. I found a white top in abel-like fabric with dainty blue patterns on the neckline. Also got a tote with Mexican artist Frida Kahlo on it.
Capping our Baja California sojourn is merienda at the busy Taqueria Franc. Tripe or lengua tacos. anyone? My soft taco with adobado (marinated pork) made any taco I’ve had before so inaccurate.
Tacos de tripas and tacos de adobada with guacamole below.
I enjoyed this trip with mom and my sister Nikko. Thanks to both.
The super busy San Ysidro Port of Entry.
Photographed by V. Lo and Tina Tan
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