October 17, 2003

Ai Carumba!

Well now that baseball season is over, I can focus on other sports, mainly college football and the MSU Spartans. Never fear dear reader - While I may have succumbed to baseball fever the past few weeks, I won't tire you with any more sports talk for a while.

Yesterday we made another run for the border to refill the medicine cabinet. This time we chose to go to Mexicali as opposed to the previous Los Algadones.

Mexicali is more of an urban center. Very industrial and from what we saw of it, not pleasant in the least. It was dirty and gritty and seedy. There are no traffic rules and the beggars were scary, even for this hardened city girl. While I felt safe enough to go out on my own a few times, it was never far from my companions and I certainly wouldn't dream of doing it at night. I didn't take a lot of pictures of the city because I didn't care to advertise my camera.

We didn't dawdle too much - it was more of a hit and run trip this time. We opted to buy day insurance in Calexico so that we could drive across the border as opposed to the park and walk method. This allowed for a much easier return crossing than my prior dork fest (they kept me in the back seat and told me to keep my mouth shut!) The guard just asked about our citizenship and took a quick peek into the rear of the SUV and we were in California again. I am amazed at how easy it is to enter the country. Yes, I'm white and blonde, but really - they don't even ask for identification.

We took a more scenic route home and took a tour through Brawley and Imperial. There are some great 50's motels still standing. I really need to do a little reseach about that area - it's fascinating.

Further up the road we came upon Holly Sugar and could not believe that was actually sugar piled up behind the plant so we pulled in to investigate. The guy told us it was actually lime which is a by-product of refining sugar and they sell the lime off for big bucks. Who knew?!

Our route home took us up on the west shore of the Salton Sea and we decided that despite the hell that was the Swamp Cooler on our last go-round, we could not make this entire trip without a Cerveza Experience so we swung into a little joint called Capt'n Jims.

The place was actually cool. The bar and restrooms were clean and the folks were extraordinarily friendly. Mostly retirees/bikers (I know - wrap your brain around that one) who live out there but they were fun and happy to see some new faces. It was obvious that this is their hang out and I fear I took Peg's seat, though she didn't complain. I might even go back for the Hawg Roast!

Mexicali Photo Album

Next trip? Tiauana...

Posted by MJ at October 17, 2003 10:11 AM
Comments
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The sky is so blue in those pictures!

Posted by: :: jozjozjoz :: at October 17, 2003 01:31 PM

Great photos although I am a little concerned about your Motel fascination. I'm sure someone needs documentary evidence og Motels in Mexicali but I feel the market may be a tad on the small side.

Posted by: Andy at October 17, 2003 01:35 PM

Andy - It's actually the particular style of architecture and signage that fascinates me (mid-century/googie). And I don't understand why there are so many of them in the Imperial/Brawley area. It's primarily an agricultural area.

As for the blue skies - it's true, we have no smog here and it was a gorgeous day. The sky actually does look like that. But since these were taken at mid-day (worst time for pics) I also used the patented Dooce technique with minor modifications to increase the contrast and saturation.

Posted by: MJ at October 17, 2003 01:59 PM

It's actually called "White Cross Drugs"? Ah, that's funny.

Thanks a lot, by the way - now I've got the damn song stuck in my head. Which is fine, to me, as I do a dead-on Jerry Garcia impression...the family, however, are less appreciative.

Posted by: picklejuice at October 17, 2003 02:17 PM

That chic with the blotchy makeup keeps showing up in your pics.

Posted by: Keith at October 17, 2003 04:19 PM

I'll continue to do the driving and translation so long as you keep taking such fanastic pictures to accompany your tremendous text. See ya at the hawg roast...

Posted by: the driver at October 20, 2003 06:56 AM

You sound like a white, ugly American tourist. It was kind of ridiculous to read your commentary because you are obviously so spoiled and detatched from the rest of the world. I know Mexico very well, and I know Capt'n Jim's and some of the folks there and you definately were out of your element in both places. The people of Mexico, in general are extremely friendly and warm. You just put off the ugly American vibe. I would bet you grab your purse when you see a black man as well. Try Malibu not Mexico next time, you'll fit right in.

Posted by: james at February 12, 2004 09:12 AM