In San Diego for a business...

In San Diego for a business trip. Have heard and read so much about this place, but never had a chance to go to TJ. Besides, with the drug wars and H1N1, it was a bit scary. On this trip I had a few hours to kill after dinner, so decided to drive down. First, it is NOT very clear where you should park when you get off at the last US exit. Only on my way back I saw the Jack in the Box place. That is the place to park bcs it is right next to the border. I parked at the first lot I saw, and had to walk over the freeway bridge to get back to my car. Second, it is almost impossible to find your way back on 5 North .. if you are not careful you can end up in Mexico, and I had to drive back and forth before seeing the freeway entrance sign ... it is about 50yards AFTER you make the turn onto the on-ramp. California Highway could do a lot better here. So I would suggest anyone going the first time to do it during day so you can figure things out ... it can get very confusing at night with poor signage and lighting.

Once you cross the border, there are a throng of taxi drivers ... they have signs around their neck, so I followed one of the to his taxi. But, a second guy got into the front seat. Not sure why, may be he was there to keep the driver happy. The ride to Adelita is about 5 minutes, passed quite a few police cars and armed police no the way. Looked a bit a like a war zone. You realize you are not in US anymore very quickly ... feels like a third world zone!!

Adelita is the busiest place on the block. No cover. Not very big. A stage in the center, a bar next to it and another bar near the entrance with stools, and booths around the stage and by the walls. It was not a busy night, the there were bar stools available. There are dozens of girls standing around between the booths ... and when pick up a cusotmer, they grab a coats or sweate and walk out with them to the rooms. I did not do that, so no idea where the rooms are and how they work.