As I was sipping my mocha up on Calle Primera, I was approached by two cute little Chiclet sales girls, about six and eight years old. I gave them my standard, “Gracias, pero no (no thank you),” with a halfass decent accent that usually works. The small one, with a firm, determined look on her face, met my eyes and said, “Gracias pero, SÍ! ( thank you, but YES!).”
I said, “No mas dinero.” She said, “SÍ mas dinero!”
I said, “No quiero.” She said, “SÍ quiero!”
I explained that our house is a boat and that we have muy poquito espacio (very little space), so she sorted through her little box of tricks and found a tiny beaded lizard, forced it into my hand and told me, “Es muy chico (it’s very small),” and demanded one dollar. I put it back in her box and said, “No dollars,” and she said, “SÍ dólares!”
We were all three laughing by this time. The older, quiet one hadn’t taken her eyes off of my braided beard. I gave it a little tug and then slowly, so slowly, she reached out with great caution and gave it a little tug, a worried look on her face.
I YELPED in pain! (It didn’t hurt.)
We all giggled like crazy and they walked on, laughing.
More stuff you see on Calle Primera:
Eli gave these boys his leftover nachos when they asked if they could have them.
Golden knights stand guard outside a souvenir shop.
That's our friend Memo with the bike. All of his brothers and sisters are legal, but he was born early when his mom was visiting relatives in Mexico. He got deported at 40 after getting pulled over for a burned out taillight. He didn't know he wasn't a citizen. Now he has to learn how to speak Spanish.
Beautiful old hotel on Calle Primera.
Sidewalk art
Mama Urchin
Oxxo is like a 7-11.
These guys supposedly have really cheap drinks on days the cruise ships are in.
Papas & Beer might be the #1 destination for the cruise ship people.
Wedding party cruising down Calle Primera.
Musicians on Calle Primera.
The sidwalks are always filled with street vendors, happy tourists, and pretty much any souvenir you can think of.
Souvenir cart
They paint the sidewalks in Ensenada--usually a shiny bright red. They look pretty, but can get slick with a little bit of dust.
Mural inside a tunnelway on Calle Primera. Mexicans put art on everything. Even unlovely things look wonderful.
Eli walking down Calle Primera with us in, shaking his head because he can't even believe how dorky his parents are.
Buying trinkets
Twitter Updates
Wow, thanks guys for the photos. The striking thing–all the colors & the people look real friendly. // Hilarious story about the beard, Steve. (btw, that IS one heck of a beard!) // Eli–you look great dude. You look like one of the locals.
THESE ARE SUCH GREAT PICTURES. I WANT TO RUN AWAY FROM MY ADULT KIDS AND THIS LOOKS LIKE A PLACE I COULD LIVE. IS IT CHEAP AND HOW DO I GET THERE???
Just drive south on I-5 past San Diego. Cross the border and follow the signs to Ensenada Cuota (toll road to Ensenada). Drive along the coast for about 60 miles.
After you enter Ensenada turn L a block after the first gas station, go one block and turn R and you will be exactly where those pictures were taken.
A small apartment is $150.00 – $200.00 a month. A small ocean view house just south of town is about $350.00. $800.00 will get you right on the beach. Food is about 1/2 of the Bay Area. Dentists are 1/6th.