(From this photo album)
2007.12.28 Fri - Da' Holy Land
The skinny: I'm on a class trip to Israel through Talbot. 48 seminary students are all taking a routes and regions class onsite in Israel, where we'll be coving this small strip of highly contested and tension-filled land and its history.
The phat: Even on the plane in LAX, cultural differences began to surface. El Al is Israel's airline and they just started flying from LAX a few months ago with a new non-stop to Tel Aviv. Security is ridikerous. Each individual is questioned while waiting in line to check in bags. Why are you going? Where are you from? Where are your parents from? Who drove you to the airport? Where are they from? Who are you going with? How do you know them? etc. Then the bus that takes us to the set apart terminal (took us at least 5 minutes to drive there) was escorted by LAX police cars. Then the plane itself was escorted by LAX police and black, El Al security personnel SUV's while our plane taxied (again a long drive) to the runway. Each time we would stop, the police cars would turn and face outwards from the plane (surrounded in the middle). Wowzers.
The plane ride itself was different. There was at least one church group from Las Vegas, but many were Israelis that don't speak English. Community community community. People stand around in the aisles. Kids are running up and down the plane. Not much sense of individual space (a kid staring at me from a close distance while I worked on my laptop).
This is the view from our hotel rooftop. We're just inside the Old Jerusalem wall's "Joppa Gate" in the Christian Quarter. I've been blessed.
2007.12.28 Fri - Da' Holy Land
The skinny: I'm on a class trip to Israel through Talbot. 48 seminary students are all taking a routes and regions class onsite in Israel, where we'll be coving this small strip of highly contested and tension-filled land and its history.
The phat: Even on the plane in LAX, cultural differences began to surface. El Al is Israel's airline and they just started flying from LAX a few months ago with a new non-stop to Tel Aviv. Security is ridikerous. Each individual is questioned while waiting in line to check in bags. Why are you going? Where are you from? Where are your parents from? Who drove you to the airport? Where are they from? Who are you going with? How do you know them? etc. Then the bus that takes us to the set apart terminal (took us at least 5 minutes to drive there) was escorted by LAX police cars. Then the plane itself was escorted by LAX police and black, El Al security personnel SUV's while our plane taxied (again a long drive) to the runway. Each time we would stop, the police cars would turn and face outwards from the plane (surrounded in the middle). Wowzers.
The plane ride itself was different. There was at least one church group from Las Vegas, but many were Israelis that don't speak English. Community community community. People stand around in the aisles. Kids are running up and down the plane. Not much sense of individual space (a kid staring at me from a close distance while I worked on my laptop).
This is the view from our hotel rooftop. We're just inside the Old Jerusalem wall's "Joppa Gate" in the Christian Quarter. I've been blessed.
(From this photo album)
2007.08.06 Mon - Sightings
I was at McKenna getting service done on my car. While waiting, I heard a hubbub outside the dealer in the parking lot. An Audi R8 had pulled up. The car's not even out yet. But some hotshot Audi exec had a demo car to drive around (with Michigan plates) and was visiting the owner of McKenna. I shot this engine bay through the glass rear window. Wowzers.
2007.08.06 Mon - Sightings
I was at McKenna getting service done on my car. While waiting, I heard a hubbub outside the dealer in the parking lot. An Audi R8 had pulled up. The car's not even out yet. But some hotshot Audi exec had a demo car to drive around (with Michigan plates) and was visiting the owner of McKenna. I shot this engine bay through the glass rear window. Wowzers.
(From this photo album)
2007.06.24 Sun - King of the hill, but still foot of the mountain
There's something I've learned in observation, but don't want to learn as practice. If you want to discredit someone's position or argument, just think of the worst possible interpretation of their words. This doesn't mean pointing out the actual weakness of an argument, but rather a matter of shading and interpretation that you probably know they didn't mean, but makes them sound wrong/look bad anyway.
This pic is from a discussion between evangelicals and Latter-day Saints @ BYU during a trip I took with all undergrad Biola students in April 2007.
2007.06.24 Sun - King of the hill, but still foot of the mountain
There's something I've learned in observation, but don't want to learn as practice. If you want to discredit someone's position or argument, just think of the worst possible interpretation of their words. This doesn't mean pointing out the actual weakness of an argument, but rather a matter of shading and interpretation that you probably know they didn't mean, but makes them sound wrong/look bad anyway.
This pic is from a discussion between evangelicals and Latter-day Saints @ BYU during a trip I took with all undergrad Biola students in April 2007.
(From this photo album)
2007.06.08 Fri - Of myself: what is understandable, isn't necessarily justified.
It saddens me when people don't understand me. I feel isolated.
It frustrates me when people misunderstand me. I feel rejected.
It exasperates me when people misrepresent me. I feel violated.
It tickles me when people have common passion. I feel stirred to work.
It empowers me when I minister & bless people. I feel useful & closer.
It frees me when I obey His will and precepts. I feel "right as rain".
This a photo of my old dream car doing my still dream thing.
2007.06.08 Fri - Of myself: what is understandable, isn't necessarily justified.
It saddens me when people don't understand me. I feel isolated.
It frustrates me when people misunderstand me. I feel rejected.
It exasperates me when people misrepresent me. I feel violated.
It tickles me when people have common passion. I feel stirred to work.
It empowers me when I minister & bless people. I feel useful & closer.
It frees me when I obey His will and precepts. I feel "right as rain".
This a photo of my old dream car doing my still dream thing.
(From this photo album)
2007.05.12 Wed - Rules of Engagement
This is a pic of the mothers from Lisa & Matt Onsum's wedding rehearsal.
Too cute ("More ENERGY!" ha ha ha): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a96TmrxZRXY
The guy's comment reminds me of CCSV youth group kids (especially you Mark Choi), "Blond hair in korea is like being a movie star or something."
First the engagements... wow there have been a lot of them lately.
Second, another kind of engagement, Engrish lessons for how to argue with your spouse. I especially like the last one, "Hasta la vista, baby."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BrjcMJdEZIQ
Lastly, on rules...
Biola University on Nightline - a taste of Talbot's campus undergrads counterpart:
http://abcnews.go.com/Video/playerIndex?id=2010969
Ask Yahoo! article re: "Are some animals gay?"
http://ask.yahoo.com/20060919.html
The silly argument sounds analogous to this: If we can find animals that kill others of the same species (or of another) for no apparent reason (or for a reason for that matter), then does that mean "killing is natural" and proves that it's okay for us humans too? Aigo! Another silly statement of the obvious: "...sex in the animal kingdom isn't always just about reproduction." It never was, even in the Bible.
2007.05.12 Wed - Rules of Engagement
This is a pic of the mothers from Lisa & Matt Onsum's wedding rehearsal.
Too cute ("More ENERGY!" ha ha ha): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a96TmrxZRXY
The guy's comment reminds me of CCSV youth group kids (especially you Mark Choi), "Blond hair in korea is like being a movie star or something."
First the engagements... wow there have been a lot of them lately.
Second, another kind of engagement, Engrish lessons for how to argue with your spouse. I especially like the last one, "Hasta la vista, baby."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BrjcMJdEZIQ
Lastly, on rules...
Biola University on Nightline - a taste of Talbot's campus undergrads counterpart:
http://abcnews.go.com/Video/playerIndex?id=2010969
Ask Yahoo! article re: "Are some animals gay?"
http://ask.yahoo.com/20060919.html
The silly argument sounds analogous to this: If we can find animals that kill others of the same species (or of another) for no apparent reason (or for a reason for that matter), then does that mean "killing is natural" and proves that it's okay for us humans too? Aigo! Another silly statement of the obvious: "...sex in the animal kingdom isn't always just about reproduction." It never was, even in the Bible.
(From this photo album)
2007.04.03 Tue - It's About Trends, Ergo It's Often About Future Generations
This will anger some, encourage others (although I would question these), but perhaps be ignored by the rest.
"Hostage drill prepares school for crisis"
http://www.phillyburbs.com/pb-dyn/news/112-03232007-1318937.html
"...Two Burlington Township police detectives portrayed the gunmen. Investigators described them as members of a right-wing fundamentalist group called the “New Crusaders” who don't believe in separation of church and state. The mock gunmen went to the school seeking justice because the daughter of one had been expelled for praying before class..."
What the ?!?
I wrote a relatively peaceful email to the article's author:
Dear David Levinsky,
This is not a hate email. Perhaps I'm jumping to conclusions, but I'm guessing you're probably getting a lot of these for the article essentially complimenting the actions of the school and law enforcement agencies in mocking conservative christians. It saddens me that our country has come to this. It starts with rumors, develops into stereotypes, and ends in a blind and prejudiced society. It's not new. Your article and the reported drill are only an expected continuation of a trend our country has been on the path of for awhile now. I hope that the country's awareness would only be enlightened by this sad story, unless, of course, people are already at the stage of thinking it only natural or expected that a parent of a child expelled for praying in the classroom (what happened to freedom of religion? and expelled of all disciplinary actions?!?), would commit such a terror as Columbine, the many other school examples (which have all NOT been right-wing religiously motivated), or 911 even. It is offensive and well... sad. If you still can't understand why, then what do you think would have happened if instead of Christian right-wing "New Crusaders", a group called "Muslim Jihad" was used, or "Jewish Crucifiers" was used? Do you think the country would be expected to stay silent? Would people not be outraged at the religious prejudice and distaste? But then again, if you really do think all fundamental Christians would rise up in arms, then you ought to look a little more into the majority of fundamentals-believing Christians (or at least those that would call themselves such, like myself), and not just the violence bent crowd that the media seems to only look for and publicize. Thanx for your time and attention (if you did indeed get this far in my email).
Blessings Abound, * "Finally, brethren, whatever is true,
Ben Yu * whatever is honorable, whatever is right,
* whatever is pure, whatever is lovely,
* whatever is of good repute, if there is
* any excellence and if anything worthy
* of praise, dwell on these things."http://benyu.smugmug.com * ~ Philippians 4:8
2007.04.03 Tue - It's About Trends, Ergo It's Often About Future Generations
This will anger some, encourage others (although I would question these), but perhaps be ignored by the rest.
"Hostage drill prepares school for crisis"
http://www.phillyburbs.com/pb-dyn/news/112-03232007-1318937.html
"...Two Burlington Township police detectives portrayed the gunmen. Investigators described them as members of a right-wing fundamentalist group called the “New Crusaders” who don't believe in separation of church and state. The mock gunmen went to the school seeking justice because the daughter of one had been expelled for praying before class..."
What the ?!?
I wrote a relatively peaceful email to the article's author:
Dear David Levinsky,
This is not a hate email. Perhaps I'm jumping to conclusions, but I'm guessing you're probably getting a lot of these for the article essentially complimenting the actions of the school and law enforcement agencies in mocking conservative christians. It saddens me that our country has come to this. It starts with rumors, develops into stereotypes, and ends in a blind and prejudiced society. It's not new. Your article and the reported drill are only an expected continuation of a trend our country has been on the path of for awhile now. I hope that the country's awareness would only be enlightened by this sad story, unless, of course, people are already at the stage of thinking it only natural or expected that a parent of a child expelled for praying in the classroom (what happened to freedom of religion? and expelled of all disciplinary actions?!?), would commit such a terror as Columbine, the many other school examples (which have all NOT been right-wing religiously motivated), or 911 even. It is offensive and well... sad. If you still can't understand why, then what do you think would have happened if instead of Christian right-wing "New Crusaders", a group called "Muslim Jihad" was used, or "Jewish Crucifiers" was used? Do you think the country would be expected to stay silent? Would people not be outraged at the religious prejudice and distaste? But then again, if you really do think all fundamental Christians would rise up in arms, then you ought to look a little more into the majority of fundamentals-believing Christians (or at least those that would call themselves such, like myself), and not just the violence bent crowd that the media seems to only look for and publicize. Thanx for your time and attention (if you did indeed get this far in my email).
Blessings Abound, * "Finally, brethren, whatever is true,
Ben Yu * whatever is honorable, whatever is right,
* whatever is pure, whatever is lovely,
* whatever is of good repute, if there is
* any excellence and if anything worthy
* of praise, dwell on these things."http://benyu.smugmug.com * ~ Philippians 4:8
(From this photo album)
2007.02.15 Thu - Left Wanting
It's been awhile since a post. On the eve of driving back up to the Bay Area for the World Christian Conference, I have some thoughts. Well, I often have thoughts, I just forget or don't get around to getting them down. I'm finally getting around to some of it.
This morning, the Bora broke yet another coolant system pipe. Darn cheap plastic parts. The thing just cost me another $450+ today. But the car will run and will hopefully be able to take Doug Kang and I up to San Mateo. We're leaving at 5:30AM. Oy.
We're still not prepared for the music worship. We've only practiced once altogether (last weekend). Slides to be done. Sheets to be printed out. School work has taken a lot of time, as I suppose it should at this time. Oy.
Going over some of the songs, I'm realizing how little I like a lot of 'em. They leave me wanting. I'm sure I've mentioned this before, but most of the current day's corporate music worship songs just aren't very corporate, musical, or worshipful. Strange. So many "I" songs, especially of the promising kind... "I will this, I am that" ...as if. A lot of these things sound the same and just don't feel like "good music". You turn on the radio and accidentally flip to a station playing the popular stuff done in churches and you'll recognize it right away. It has as a certain style, not much. CCM too is often instantly recognizable. Why is this stuff so sub-par? Why do churches seem satisfied with giving such music a lower standard to reach? If anything, shouldn't it be higher? Better? Of course, this isn't meant to be a blanket generalization. There are exceptions out there, and you can tell. How? By realizing which songs/groups are actually listened to by non-Christians. I'm not saying just "watered down" gospel stuff, but actually good music with solid lyrics. If it's good music, people will listen. If you're a master at your craft, people will respect you. Regardless. Take Michael Chang at his high point, for example. Or C.S. Lewis, Tolkien, Abe Lincoln, MLK, Jr., on and on... respected. Masters of their craft. Roaring Lions.
This pic is from a few years ago just after undergrad. Ben Poon, Ben Yu, Cory Penn, & Marc Rice performing a medley of John Mayer, Third Day, & Skillet as the musical act for UC Berkeley's The Movement dance troupe's Fall Showcase. We actually started on different instruments and rotated to the current positions in this pic mid-song. Fun times.
2007.02.15 Thu - Left Wanting
It's been awhile since a post. On the eve of driving back up to the Bay Area for the World Christian Conference, I have some thoughts. Well, I often have thoughts, I just forget or don't get around to getting them down. I'm finally getting around to some of it.
This morning, the Bora broke yet another coolant system pipe. Darn cheap plastic parts. The thing just cost me another $450+ today. But the car will run and will hopefully be able to take Doug Kang and I up to San Mateo. We're leaving at 5:30AM. Oy.
We're still not prepared for the music worship. We've only practiced once altogether (last weekend). Slides to be done. Sheets to be printed out. School work has taken a lot of time, as I suppose it should at this time. Oy.
Going over some of the songs, I'm realizing how little I like a lot of 'em. They leave me wanting. I'm sure I've mentioned this before, but most of the current day's corporate music worship songs just aren't very corporate, musical, or worshipful. Strange. So many "I" songs, especially of the promising kind... "I will this, I am that" ...as if. A lot of these things sound the same and just don't feel like "good music". You turn on the radio and accidentally flip to a station playing the popular stuff done in churches and you'll recognize it right away. It has as a certain style, not much. CCM too is often instantly recognizable. Why is this stuff so sub-par? Why do churches seem satisfied with giving such music a lower standard to reach? If anything, shouldn't it be higher? Better? Of course, this isn't meant to be a blanket generalization. There are exceptions out there, and you can tell. How? By realizing which songs/groups are actually listened to by non-Christians. I'm not saying just "watered down" gospel stuff, but actually good music with solid lyrics. If it's good music, people will listen. If you're a master at your craft, people will respect you. Regardless. Take Michael Chang at his high point, for example. Or C.S. Lewis, Tolkien, Abe Lincoln, MLK, Jr., on and on... respected. Masters of their craft. Roaring Lions.
This pic is from a few years ago just after undergrad. Ben Poon, Ben Yu, Cory Penn, & Marc Rice performing a medley of John Mayer, Third Day, & Skillet as the musical act for UC Berkeley's The Movement dance troupe's Fall Showcase. We actually started on different instruments and rotated to the current positions in this pic mid-song. Fun times.
![(From this photo album)2006.11.11 Sat - G'day Mate
Surely there was no one like Ahab who sold himself to do evil in the sight of the LORD, because Jezebel his wife incited him. ~ 1 Kings 21:25
This verse can scare you into singleness, no? Ever wondered how different your life can be depending on whom you marry (applying to both genders)? Read the text of and INTO THE TEXT OF 1 Kings 16:30 thru 2 Kings 9. Ahab (a Jewish king) & Jezebel (a non-Jew hottie he married), & Tyndale House Publishers' "Life Application Bible" - "The choice of a mate will have a significant effect on life - physically, spiritually, and emotionally."
Have you ever noticed a "pecking order" develop in a group amongst the guys and/or girls? This is in the workplace as well as amongst friends. There's almost an order to whom everyone looks up to for certain tasks, perhaps another for certain knowledge, or yet another for some other admirable trait. It could even be all inclusive in one person (the alpha [fe]male). Then there's the next "highest", and the next. When in the context of a social setting, I'm not really sure what to think of it anymore. Shall we brush it off as "just being human"? Or should we be aware (and beware) of its pitfalls, and thereby striving to avoid such an order?
On a (somewhat) similar note, this pic is from last Winter during Stanfurd Tmony's 2 week L.A. Winter Break Tour. "Hi Young Sue" Jason Kim and I are modeling the peacock mating behavior (the 2 birds are blended into the background). Although I'm feigning ignorance in this pic, I really do miss him. :)](http://benyu.smugmug.com/photos/109667781_Ye6m4-S.jpg "(From this photo album)2006.11.11 Sat - G'day Mate
Surely there was no one like Ahab who sold himself to do evil in the sight of the LORD, because Jezebel his wife incited him. ~ 1 Kings 21:25
This verse can scare you into singleness, no? Ever wondered how different your life can be depending on whom you marry (applying to both genders)? Read the text of and INTO THE TEXT OF 1 Kings 16:30 thru 2 Kings 9. Ahab (a Jewish king) & Jezebel (a non-Jew hottie he married), & Tyndale House Publishers' \"Life Application Bible\" - \"The choice of a mate will have a significant effect on life - physically, spiritually, and emotionally.\"
Have you ever noticed a \"pecking order\" develop in a group amongst the guys and/or girls? This is in the workplace as well as amongst friends. There's almost an order to whom everyone looks up to for certain tasks, perhaps another for certain knowledge, or yet another for some other admirable trait. It could even be all inclusive in one person (the alpha [fe]male). Then there's the next \"highest\", and the next. When in the context of a social setting, I'm not really sure what to think of it anymore. Shall we brush it off as \"just being human\"? Or should we be aware (and beware) of its pitfalls, and thereby striving to avoid such an order?
On a (somewhat) similar note, this pic is from last Winter during Stanfurd Tmony's 2 week L.A. Winter Break Tour. \"Hi Young Sue\" Jason Kim and I are modeling the peacock mating behavior (the 2 birds are blended into the background). Although I'm feigning ignorance in this pic, I really do miss him. :)")
(From this photo album)
2006.11.11 Sat - G'day Mate
Surely there was no one like Ahab who sold himself to do evil in the sight of the LORD, because Jezebel his wife incited him. ~ 1 Kings 21:25
This verse can scare you into singleness, no? Ever wondered how different your life can be depending on whom you marry (applying to both genders)? Read the text of and INTO THE TEXT OF 1 Kings 16:30 thru 2 Kings 9. Ahab (a Jewish king) & Jezebel (a non-Jew hottie he married), & Tyndale House Publishers' "Life Application Bible" - "The choice of a mate will have a significant effect on life - physically, spiritually, and emotionally."
Have you ever noticed a "pecking order" develop in a group amongst the guys and/or girls? This is in the workplace as well as amongst friends. There's almost an order to whom everyone looks up to for certain tasks, perhaps another for certain knowledge, or yet another for some other admirable trait. It could even be all inclusive in one person (the alpha [fe]male). Then there's the next "highest", and the next. When in the context of a social setting, I'm not really sure what to think of it anymore. Shall we brush it off as "just being human"? Or should we be aware (and beware) of its pitfalls, and thereby striving to avoid such an order?
On a (somewhat) similar note, this pic is from last Winter during Stanfurd Tmony's 2 week L.A. Winter Break Tour. "Hi Young Sue" Jason Kim and I are modeling the peacock mating behavior (the 2 birds are blended into the background). Although I'm feigning ignorance in this pic, I really do miss him. :)
2006.11.11 Sat - G'day Mate
Surely there was no one like Ahab who sold himself to do evil in the sight of the LORD, because Jezebel his wife incited him. ~ 1 Kings 21:25
This verse can scare you into singleness, no? Ever wondered how different your life can be depending on whom you marry (applying to both genders)? Read the text of and INTO THE TEXT OF 1 Kings 16:30 thru 2 Kings 9. Ahab (a Jewish king) & Jezebel (a non-Jew hottie he married), & Tyndale House Publishers' "Life Application Bible" - "The choice of a mate will have a significant effect on life - physically, spiritually, and emotionally."
Have you ever noticed a "pecking order" develop in a group amongst the guys and/or girls? This is in the workplace as well as amongst friends. There's almost an order to whom everyone looks up to for certain tasks, perhaps another for certain knowledge, or yet another for some other admirable trait. It could even be all inclusive in one person (the alpha [fe]male). Then there's the next "highest", and the next. When in the context of a social setting, I'm not really sure what to think of it anymore. Shall we brush it off as "just being human"? Or should we be aware (and beware) of its pitfalls, and thereby striving to avoid such an order?
On a (somewhat) similar note, this pic is from last Winter during Stanfurd Tmony's 2 week L.A. Winter Break Tour. "Hi Young Sue" Jason Kim and I are modeling the peacock mating behavior (the 2 birds are blended into the background). Although I'm feigning ignorance in this pic, I really do miss him. :)
(From this photo album)
2006.10.19 Thu - A Whole New World
An old swing friend and future hotshot dentist Estée Wang came to visit SD for a conference so I took the relatively short drive down a couple of times to hang out. The second time, Jimmy Chen came along as well and we headed to Tijuana, Mexico for a few hours.
It's weird that it felt like another country, and yet, didn't. Go to the album linked at the top for the rest of the pics, but some fun things to note:
Coronado Island in San Diego is beautiful, especially the Hotel Del Coronado. It's an open beach, so even if you're staying somewhere else, be sure to soak it up and check out the old geezer boutiques and yummy ice cream parlor underneath.
For a nice dinner, try eating at "The Sheerwater" on the beach front of the Hotel Del Coronado and get a table next to the outdoor fireplaces. *sigh*
Notice which direction the security cameras are turned in this pic.
It's cheaper to take the U-turn and park on the northbound side of the I-5's parking lot and walk across, than it is to park in the lot on the southbound side.
I heard on the news later that 44 murders happen a year in TJ. Be careful.
There's a long line to come back to the U.S. even if you're walking across (not sure whether the cars line is slower or not.
At least during the day, TJ's a really nice place with fun alleyways and shops to discover.
Bargain hard, but don't be a jerk. Not saving that extra $1 US probably hurts you much less than it does benefit the merchant you're buying from.
Be careful when picking your taxis and busses/shuttles. A lot of them are probably just gonna rip you off than really save you much time or money, not to mention risk your safety unnecessarily.
Check your car insurance policy before driving across. You may or may not be covered, and even if you are, there may be strange restrictions. For example, I was told by Allstate that I could hit only a U.S. driver and not a Mexican one, otherwise I wouldn't be covered. What the?!?
You should probably bring a passport or at least a photocopy of your passport. We only went in with our driver's licenses and only had to flash it when crossing back over. But if you aren't easily profiled as a non-Mexican, better to be safe.
I heard this on some late night show before, but seriously, those yellow signs on the highway warning you of people (families) running across the highway, what ethnicity do you think they represent?
2006.10.19 Thu - A Whole New World
An old swing friend and future hotshot dentist Estée Wang came to visit SD for a conference so I took the relatively short drive down a couple of times to hang out. The second time, Jimmy Chen came along as well and we headed to Tijuana, Mexico for a few hours.
It's weird that it felt like another country, and yet, didn't. Go to the album linked at the top for the rest of the pics, but some fun things to note:
Coronado Island in San Diego is beautiful, especially the Hotel Del Coronado. It's an open beach, so even if you're staying somewhere else, be sure to soak it up and check out the old geezer boutiques and yummy ice cream parlor underneath.
For a nice dinner, try eating at "The Sheerwater" on the beach front of the Hotel Del Coronado and get a table next to the outdoor fireplaces. *sigh*
Notice which direction the security cameras are turned in this pic.
It's cheaper to take the U-turn and park on the northbound side of the I-5's parking lot and walk across, than it is to park in the lot on the southbound side.
I heard on the news later that 44 murders happen a year in TJ. Be careful.
There's a long line to come back to the U.S. even if you're walking across (not sure whether the cars line is slower or not.
At least during the day, TJ's a really nice place with fun alleyways and shops to discover.
Bargain hard, but don't be a jerk. Not saving that extra $1 US probably hurts you much less than it does benefit the merchant you're buying from.
Be careful when picking your taxis and busses/shuttles. A lot of them are probably just gonna rip you off than really save you much time or money, not to mention risk your safety unnecessarily.
Check your car insurance policy before driving across. You may or may not be covered, and even if you are, there may be strange restrictions. For example, I was told by Allstate that I could hit only a U.S. driver and not a Mexican one, otherwise I wouldn't be covered. What the?!?
You should probably bring a passport or at least a photocopy of your passport. We only went in with our driver's licenses and only had to flash it when crossing back over. But if you aren't easily profiled as a non-Mexican, better to be safe.
I heard this on some late night show before, but seriously, those yellow signs on the highway warning you of people (families) running across the highway, what ethnicity do you think they represent?
(From this photo album)
2006.09.30 Sat - My New Home
Hello and welcome to my humble abode. This is a pic of the front doors, a pair of automatic sliding glass doors. The lobby is spacious and welcoming, the bathrooms are clean, and the number of books and movies can keep you entertained and educated for years on end. Food isn't allowed, but I sleep here and spend my waking hours here as well, more than any other place. Come on in, kick off your shoes (not at the entrance like most Asian households), and grab a Laz-Y-Boy chair for a nap or to admire the expansive lawn outside the floor-to-ceiling bay windows. It's just that you'll be kicked out at midnight each night.
P.S. - How do you like the entranceway decor? Can you guess what it says on the inside doorway as you exit?
2006.09.30 Sat - My New Home
Hello and welcome to my humble abode. This is a pic of the front doors, a pair of automatic sliding glass doors. The lobby is spacious and welcoming, the bathrooms are clean, and the number of books and movies can keep you entertained and educated for years on end. Food isn't allowed, but I sleep here and spend my waking hours here as well, more than any other place. Come on in, kick off your shoes (not at the entrance like most Asian households), and grab a Laz-Y-Boy chair for a nap or to admire the expansive lawn outside the floor-to-ceiling bay windows. It's just that you'll be kicked out at midnight each night.
P.S. - How do you like the entranceway decor? Can you guess what it says on the inside doorway as you exit?
in this box: