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Brian Proctor Inner circle Somewhere 2323 Posts |
Hey guys,
I am traveling to Tijuana in March for 9 days. While I am there, I am going to help build a house for a homeless family. While I am there, I want to find something related to magic, a shop, or whatever. Any Café members been there? What was your experience there? |
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chajodawg New user 33 Posts |
Tijuana is a pretty depressing place sometimes, but it's also very rich in culture. I go to UCSD, so I'm about twenty minutes away from the border. A lot of the students always take trips down there to drink, drink, and er drink. It sounds like you are doing some missionary stuff, so I think you will probably enjoy it. A lot of the people around here (including my roommate) swear they will never go back though.
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Chrystal Inner circle Canada/France 1552 Posts |
Hi Brian,
It's been a couple years since I went down there and I do remember it as being an impoverished place. Perhaps, I looked like a target as I remember being surrounded by a ton of kids trying to sell me trinkets wherever I went. The same thing happened in Haiti as well, when I went there several years ago. I'm not sure what the average income is in Tiajuana, but in Haiti it's only several hundred dollars for a year per family. I guess the important thing to remember is treat the people with respect and not flash your money.It's really hard to look at poverty in another country and realize that we really shouldn't complain about our minor inconvienences. Sorry I can't offer any advice regarding magic shops but perhaps do a search on the net? Chrystal |
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Brian Proctor Inner circle Somewhere 2323 Posts |
Rather than look for a magic shop, I think I will try to bring smiles to the faces of people with my own magic.
:) |
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irossall Special user Snohomish, Washington 529 Posts |
One word of WARNING, if you are going to drive there, (not recommended) purchase the auto insurance before you cross the border. I have not been to Tijuana since 1984 but I don't think that things have changed that much. When you buy your insurance you will receive a sticker to put on your windshield, put this on before you cross the border. There never is a guarantee but U.S. vehicles without those stickers are usually the ones that get vandalized.
Chrystal is right when she say's to treat the citizens with respect. One of the quickest ways to land in jail is to yell at or chase a citizen. My Uncle spent over a week in jail because he yelled at a kid who he found messing around with his parked car (he was too cheap to purchase the insurance) he yelled from across the street saying something to the effect of "get away from my car you little son of a gun (not gun but something else). My uncle never even got close to the kid but a cop that was very near heard my Uncle and took him to the jail. Mistake number two for my uncle was trying to bribe the cop, but it seems that even the corrupted officials did not want his money (they like to be the ones to initiate a bribe). Bottom line was, it took my Uncle's Lawyer and a good sum of cash and time to get set free (my Uncle has never been back since). In answer to your question about Magic Shops in Tijuana? I am afraid that I only went there to drink, eat, buy cigarette’s, drink, eat then drink some more, so I have no clue about Magic Shops in Tijuana. Thank You Brian for your efforts to help someone in need, you are doing a great thing One note on the food. FANTASTIC! I used to go Café hopping and ONLY ate in the local "greasy spoons" where the poorer locals ate. Don't ask what it is that you are eating, just eat and enjoy and don't forget to buy some taco's from the street venders, Wonderful Taco's. As I am sure you know, DON'T drink the tap water and avoid anything with ice. Adios Amigo. Iven
Give the gift of Life, Be an Organ Donor.
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Andini Special user Columbus, OH 685 Posts |
Brian, you have to be really careful doing magic in that region while you're on a Christian (?) mission trip. When I went to Juarez to do missionary work, I was warned that magic may not be well-received. I did one thing for the Kids Club in the town (you can see my post in the Gospel Magic forum) but we were very clear that this was only a TRICK. Also, for the most part, using playing cards in public was a big no-no.
But, I hope you have a great time and I think the experience could change your life. -Andy |
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Patrick Differ Inner circle 1540 Posts |
Don't drink the water unless it is bottled.
Be polite and respectful. Be careful in traffic, they tend to drive like maniacs. Be very careful with the police. It isn't the same as the USA. Respect the elderly. As far as the magic scene goes, it's an underdeveloped market in all aspects. If you find a magic store, I bet that it will be mostly costumes, stink bombs, and doggie doo. Do you speak the language?
Will you walk into my parlour? said the Spider to the Fly,
Tis the prettiest little parlour that ever you did spy; The way into my parlour is up a winding stair, And I've a many curious things to show when you are there. Oh no, no, said the little Fly, to ask me is in vain, For who goes up your winding stair -can ne'er come down again. |
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Brian Proctor Inner circle Somewhere 2323 Posts |
Thank you guys for the tips. This is really helpful. I initially didn't want to go because the U.S. State Dept. issued a strong warning against any and all American citizens traveling in Mexico a week ago. But, I am sure we will be careful.
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R2 Special user 935 Posts |
I live only five minutes from Juarez, Mexico. It's okay to have cards in public, but most folks will think you read Tarot or are some sort of psychic.
I perform in Juarez and other Mexican towns for private groups exclusively. I wouldn't do a street performance. |
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irossall Special user Snohomish, Washington 529 Posts |
Quote:
On 2005-02-02 12:04, Brian Proctor wrote: The people who live there for the most part are very friendly and helpful but with that said just treat everyone the way you would want to be treated and I am sure your experience will be something you will never forget and you will want to return. Have a GREAT trip. Iven
Give the gift of Life, Be an Organ Donor.
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Vandy Grift Inner circle Milwaukee 3504 Posts |
Yes, have a good time and be careful. It's not a bad place. I got knifed there a couple of times, but it's cool...
"Get a life dude." -some guy in a magic forum
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Tom Cutts Staff Northern CA 5925 Posts |
About 30 minutes down the coast on the main highway is the coastal town of Rosarito Beach. It has much of the charm of Tijuana but far less of the fear factor. It is somewhat of a tourist town.
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Chris Berry Special user 831 Posts |
Iven is correct on purchasing insurance BEFORE you cross the border. If you don't, you are basically S.O.L. when getting down there.
To my knowledge there are no magic shops whatsoever. Don't fret, you'll be busy with other things, and a magic shop would be sort of cool to visit since your in another country, there is a lot of other things to do. I used to go down every year to San Vicente and help out at an orphange and stuff. We would always stop in Encenada, which is a big tourist area and there was never a magic shop. But like I said, there is much more to do so it doesn't matter. Have a good trip, stay safe, and best bet is to not walk around town alone. |
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Brian Proctor Inner circle Somewhere 2323 Posts |
You're right Chris, it does not really matter. I'm there for 9 days in another country. I need to just see the sites, people, and I can always show magic to little kids.
I asked all of my co-workers about Tijuana, they all agreed that it is definately not a people friendly place at night time. But I think it will be an interesting experience to say the least. |
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hoodrat Veteran user Southern California 388 Posts |
Tiajuana is a pretty crummy, poor city -- typical border town. I live in San Diego, and I was just there this past August for the first time in about four years. Nothing much has changed there since my last visit four years ago.
If you get a chance, go a little further south to Rosarito or even to Ensenada. Those are much, much nicer cities and much cleaner. They are definitely upscale resort-type tourist places unlike Tiajuana. Roasarito is a cool party place at night on weekends. Go to "Papas and Beer" in Rosarito -- it's a nightclub located right on the beach. Lots of Americans there partying from San Diego, etc.. You can barter the price of goods in stores that don't have doors (i.e. street vendors and the like). Offer them half of what they are asking. They will refuse at first, but when you start to walk away, they know you will be able to get your price next door at a competitor, so they will honor your price just to get your business. NEVER pay their full asking price!! I wouldn't drive across (unless you plan on driving a bit further to go to Rosarita or Ensenada). Most Americans park on the U.S. side of the border in all-day lots and walk across. Avenida Revolucion is the main drag in downtown Tiajuana, and it's a good 15 or 20 minute walk from the border. You can get a taxi there from the border, but be sure to agree on the fare (in U.S. dollars) before you get in (not more than $10 to get there). They will try to jack up the fare over $10 to rip you off. Best bet is to walk to Avenida Revolucion. Hope this information helps! |
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S2000magician Inner circle Yorba Linda, CA 3465 Posts |
Although I cannot help with info about Tijuana (I've never been there), I can say God bless you for going down there to help build the house. It's a good thing you're doing.
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Brian Proctor Inner circle Somewhere 2323 Posts |
Well, I leave Friday morning at 7:00 a.m. I won't be back until the 28th. Keep me in your prayers and thoughts. There is a lot of work ahead for me and the rest of the crew. Its gonna be fun!
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tuffnavyrn Inner circle San Diego, CA 1238 Posts |
Check out a place called "Adelita's" while in TJ, anyone can point you in the right direction....cold beer, beautiful girls and a lot of fun to be had!
Brian-
"That smart thing that somebody else said". |
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Brian Proctor Inner circle Somewhere 2323 Posts |
Hi,
I am in southern cali right now. I crossed the border last night and now I am staying at a hotel right across the street from Six Flags. I feel totally un-deserving to go to a theme park after being with the family I built the house for. I grew to love them dearly. I played with the childeren so much and taught them quite a bit of things. They followed me around after I showed them a few magic tricks. Seeing the wonder and appreciation in their eyes made the last 5 years of practicing all worth it. I taught this little girl how to say "Hi, my name is Andrea." She struggled for a bit. But she finally got it. It warmed my heart. I wish I could have stayed there with them for a month. If I could, I would have. Coming back to the US makes me greatful for being in a place where I have everthing at my fingertips. Today the childeren will have a new house to sleep in, but the same old garbage covered muddy streets they have always had. I would do anything to switch places with them. They are deserving. It was a life changing experience. Off to Six Flags. Brian |
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Patrick Differ Inner circle 1540 Posts |
I am not the type that wants to be nosey anymore...so I am not asking which few magic tricks you are showing them...I am not going to ask if you learned any Spanish either...
I always think it amazing to hear from others that have crossed the frontier into other countries. I have a warm heart thinking that we can learn that very little compares to the USA. Somehow people are not thinking about what they have until they do not have it. Things like freedom of speech, the press, assembly, religion, petition, just to name the first one. I am asking two nosey questions...how much recycled material are you using to build this house? And when you go again, what are you doing different? Good Job, Brian.
Will you walk into my parlour? said the Spider to the Fly,
Tis the prettiest little parlour that ever you did spy; The way into my parlour is up a winding stair, And I've a many curious things to show when you are there. Oh no, no, said the little Fly, to ask me is in vain, For who goes up your winding stair -can ne'er come down again. |
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