Saturday In Tijuana

I decided that this was the day to go out and try the local fare and on the recommendation of Gilberto (my new front desk friend), I went on a morning walk to check out a local establishment call El Potrero.

The building is shaped like a Mexican sombrero.  Here’s where I was on my way to brunch.

I had to cross this concrete, highly graffitied, overpass.  Traffic and roads were relatively clear this Saturday morning.  It was bustling with people cars just the night before.

You can see the Marriott in the distance where I am staying while here.

Back to brunch and El Potrero.  As I approached the restaurant, I noticed this place was hopping with people going in and out and I figured it was the place to be.  Before I left the hotel, I wrote down words and phrases that I could use if I was in a bind but as soon as I walked in, I had no idea what they were asking me.  Pointing around helped and I was quickly seated.

Vincente was my server for the morning.  He barely spoke English but could understand a little of what I was asking and saying.  Everything on the menu was in Spanish and nothing looked familiar like in the Mexican restaurants back home.  I even got a funny/puzzled look from the bell hop this morning when I asked him if I could get a breakfast burrito.  Anyway, I asked Vincente to recommend what I should get and he pointed to a dish on the menu and went on to describe what it contained.  I managed only to catch parts of what was going to be in it, but I thought what the heck, I need to just try whatever comes.

I have been forgetting everywhere I’ve been so far to not ask for ice in my drinks, but so far I am holding up really well.  I think my Singaporean trained stomach is doing it’s job.

My food arrived and it looked like this

I had 3 different kinds of salsa (in the little dishes at the top of the picture), from mild to spicy.  Then there was this plate of I am not sure what that had some spicy sauce on it and it was quite yummy.  I dipped my chips in them.  Then my main entree turned out to be an omelet filled with sliced green peppers and onions covered with the corn Verde sauce with beans, potatoes and chips covered in cheese and sauce on the side.  It was a very tasty meal for US$10.50.

It was fun to observe people around me.  I noticed tons of families eating together, a lot of them with teenage kids who seem to really enjoy their parents’ company.  It was a refreshing sight.  The other thing I have noticed is people like to drink.  Vincente, my server kept asking me throughout my meal (even to the end) if I wanted a shot of Tequila.  Either it is really a part of culture (even at brunch) to starting the booze flowing or I must have a look that says I need a stiff one.  He finally came back with a “complimentary” mimosa (mostly orange juice though).

I had a great brunch and two thumps up for El Potrero’s!  Here’s me and Vincente (he refused to come closer for a picture)

Paid my bill and I was off on my walking adventure.  Not having a car is quite stifling but I am getting my exercise and sunshine for sure.  BTW, the cabs here do not use a/c at all, they have their windows down, so in the middle of the afternoon you’ll be sweating in the cab.  As I was walking along I found my walking into this huge beat up building.  I noticed it was like an underground arena type place that had chairs around.  I quickly realize as I walked all the way in that it looked like a church set up but it was all women there today.  I figured I am stumbled into a women’s gathering of some kind and no one spoke English.  My friend Josh had told me yesterday that he attended a church service once at a converted arena/stadium and I am wondering if this is it.  I am going to check it out tomorrow although I can find any info on the church.  The church had not signs posted anywhere; oh well, I’ll go anyways during regular “church hours” to see if there is something going on in the morning.

Here’s a bunch of ladies waiting to get their food outside of the church area:

I thank God for good sense of direction and photographic memory for landmarks.  So when I was driven around in the day and night I was watching for street names and landmarks to help give me a sense of where I am heading.  I was kind of aimlessly walking, mostly to walk off brunch and also see what I could find that was interesting around the town.  After walking quite a few miles, I decided to turn around because it was starting to heat up and I didn’t want to be a puddle of sweat.

On my way back, here’s what I saw

 

This billboard brought a rush of emotions.  Thanks to the good peeps at the US Consulate General, I am missing home, missing church on Sunday and also missing the ACTUAL GAME at Qwest!  I am hoping there is a way to catch the game on TV here.

Here’s another familiar sight:

And finally, my last stop of the morning walkabout and I couldn’t pass this up, a piece of home

 

This was my venti sized passion tea lemonade, not quite the same size as back home but it worked.  The barista spoke a little English and was curious where I was from.  I told her I was from Seattle and she excitedly told me her husband was also from Seattle.  She looked a little too young to be married but whatever.  I think she said she met her husband here in TJ and I think he works for Starbucks corporate, not quite sure but I think that’s what she said.  Anyways, I chilled out a bit Starbucks before resuming my walk back to the hotel.

Now, I am going to relax a bit till the evening, maybe read a little (surprise, surprise) and maybe catch a nap too while I am at it.  So until later, peace out.