Arrival in The Baja!

Today, Dec. 3rd, I awake in Ensenada, Baja Norte, Mexico. Three summers have passed since I've been south of the border and it feels good to be back. It feels good partly because amongst the downgraded economy, confusion, and hustle and bustle a generally more tranquil lifestyle is already apparent. It also feels good because after two nights of camping and two long days of driving I've slept in a very decent hotel room. My traveling companions seem equally content as they're still fast asleep.

The border crossing was extremely easy, but a little confusing. If we we're just planning on travelling down the Baja we could have just be waved through; without stopping or talking to anyone. However, since we plan on ferrying our truck over to the mainland, extra paper work was needed. Luckily we stopped to ask about tourist cards and a cute old man pointed us to a parking lot around the corner. Otherwise we would have been truly lost. Spanish speaking definitely a necessity. We oped to avoid crossing into a large city and instead crossed in Tecate, a small town 20 miles east of Tijuana.

One of the first recommendations I read about driving on the Baja is to not drive after dark. Oops! The first and last third of Highway from Tecate to Ensenanda is great. It appears to be brand new and was pot hole free! The middle third, however, is under construction. This meant we we're waved through various construction zones while zig-zagging across the future road to rutty temporary side roads. It really wasn't too bad, but slowed us down. We didn't reach Ensenada until dark. It was very confusing at night trying to find the area where we planned to look for a room. Luckily, a friendly older woman cleared things up when stopping to ask for directions.

The keeper of the small hotel we decided to stay at directed us to an area to get some good dinner. I asked for some more traditional food outside of the tourist zone. There is a ritzy street here for cruise ship hoards with more expensive and international foods. We ended up finding “Tacos Maru” an excellent fonda; cheaper eatery. We ordered some amazing pazole, tacos, enchiladas, and we each had a drink. The whole meal with drinks came to about $15. Still a little expensive, but the food was amazing.

This morning I will cook breakfast for my excellent travelling companions. Our $35 dollar a night room comes complete with a kitchen, filtered water, and one of the hottest showers I've ever seen in Mexico. An expense and luxury that our budgets and travelling style will not allow to be common place.