At the end of February, I landed in Mexico in a city called Tijuana which would become my home for the next 2 1/2 months. As a city adjacent to the busiest international border in the world, “Tijuana” has become an adjective for all things bad. Starting with cheap booze and women, human trafficking, entry point for drugs and weapons, Tijuana has revitalized its reputation for violence and murder in the past few years. According to a friend in Tijuana, everyone knows at least 1 person, either their relative or a friend, that has been involved in a violent crime. I was fortunate that didn’t apply for me. However I can not deny the presence of a tension that hangs in the streets of Tijuana, which I found somewhat close to how I felt walking in some areas of Johannesburg. I won’t deny and I strongly do believe that peace is the best for everyone, but there are something within me that longs to be part of the chaos, which is perhaps whey I fell in love with Tijuana.
There’s a certain vibe to this city where identities are lost. Many people in Tijuana cross the border everyday to work in America. Many are born in America for an American citizenship. Many cross the border to shop in Target. It’s not America, but it’s not Mexico. Tijuana is a city floating between two countries, settling in one or other depending on the direction of the wind. Hmm, another similarity between me and Tijuana?
In this peculiar city, I found peace. Whether the fact that Mexico as a country holds various spiritual traditions had to do with my emotional and physical state, I don’t know. Yes, in several occasions, strange things did happen during the 2 1/2 months. Things that I turned blind eye on in the past occurred right in front of my presence. It’s not something that I would like to openly talk about, but in being forced to understand what I experienced, as the days passed by, the weight on my shoulders started to lift off one by one. Never in my life have I felt the connections of body, mind and spirit strongly.
At the end of my stay, I felt strong. Maybe it was all that delicious tacos that I was devouring so much everyday…lol.
I so miss my favorite taco stand, El Polo…
What a random post this was, and it’s so like me that I end it with food!
Enrique’s favorite too! I prefer the nopal and guacamole taco anytime! ^^