Mexico without a passport

For over an hour I have been crawling forward inch by inch with no escaping. The blinking red light up ahead reads, “Ready Lane” whatever that means. So I crawl forward toward the cameras and the booth. I have no card to pass over the scanner so I move forward as there is NO choice. My mind, reels. What could they do to me?

The uniformed young man wearing a belt of weapons begins to pepper me with questions.

“Your pass card please,” he demands in a firm official voice. I don’t have one is my response.

“Your passport then. Do you have one?”

I forgot it I tell him.

“How come you left the country without a passport?” he scolds me.

More firmly, he demands my driver’s license, which I hand him, with a sigh of relief, hoping this will speed me through.

My driver’s license and he disappear into the booth, but not before lecturing me about leaving the country without a passport.

He seems to be taking forever at his computer as he occasionally glances at me. Exiting the booth he has more questions: “What are you bringing back? Why did you go to Mexico? How long were you there? Open the trunk, please.”

These questions are familiar and somehow comforting. Perhaps I will not be sent to jail. Friends at dinner nearly convinced me that forgetting your passport or entering a country without one could get me in jail.  They even said they would visit me and bring me food.

Finally, the Border Guard hands me my driver’s license and motions for me to proceed. I do, wanting to speed away but knowing that would not be wise.

Baja Beach House

Friends who had at the last minute rented a beach house on the way to Ensenada invited me to join them and I, equally spontaneous accepted. It had been 8 years since I had been south of Tijuana and many more than that since I had traveled back and forth between Mexico with ease. No passport requirements then.

Concerned friends cautioned me about driving into Mexico alone! I had before, so why not now?

The border lanes entering Mexico have changed dramatically. It used to be much more of a free flow; not for the timid driver. Today tall fencing surrounds you. Once on the road toward the beach, I still missed the exit for the toll road south as I could not maneuver over quick enough. Thus I spent about 30 minutes driving about like it was a big adventure until I found the entrance. Then I was on my way.

Once I arrived at the gate, the guard was very helpful in explaining to me that the gate to the property had been left open and I needed to assure the “guard dog” that I was harmless. As I exited the car, I could hear the dogs barking.

Once inside, I walked out onto the patio and drank in the million dollar view. Then  I settled myself  down with a book and two Chihuahuas beside me with the Guard dog, a German Shepard monitoring the entrance.

The guys arrived and thus began a wonderful relaxing time in Mexico. The ambiance was welcoming, relaxing and visually spectacular. What more could one ask for? I could stay there “forever”; it was so comfortable and calming.

Fresh seafood, flowers, margaritas, a crackling fire, the sound of the ocean and conversations with friends made for a perfect evening.

Falling asleep to the sound of the pounding surf was nirvana.

Coffee upon awakening and then down the stone stairs for a walk on the beach with the dogs is how the morning began.

San Diego has beautiful beaches and I am only about 15 minutes from some of the best but I do not go often. When I do, it does not have the same feel as I had sitting there in that beach house in Mexico. What makes the difference? For me it is the lack of crowds. While there are a few others on the beach, it really feels secluded and I can feel one with nature.

I am ready to return, but for a much longer period. Next time I will make sure I have my passport!

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