good price for hippies

i had a dear friend come stay with me for a few days and it was a most fantastic time :) the first half i was running around doing san diego stuff, attending family functions, but then it ended with a trip to tijuana, mexico... most unexpected. a good introduction to 3rd world countries. well, it wasn't so representative of anywhere except TJ b/c mexico is shady as hell. the government and the police force will F you over w/o a doubt. but it was a good practice in ignoring the throngs of shopkeeps trying to sell you their wares. and if you did want to buy something, you had to barter. my friend scored a ring for $5 when other people might have paid twice as much, just b/c she kept walking away and didn't really want it and he thought she was just a tough bargainer. he said that she must be a lawyer. it was very pretty ring, a "mexican ring." as we walked past some people one guy shouted at us, "good price for hippies!" he was original, but too bad for him, we laughed and kept walking.

i'm kinda wishing we did take that pic with those poor donkeys painted like zebras. but i wouldn't have sat on it for anything. so sad and really gross. at least they had water and food. we were offered all sorts of medications, free massages, jewelry for a dollar, it was crazy. there was even this strange arch that totally looked like the st. louis arch. i need to get a pic of that one... i have to admit i hate TJ so i was a bit freaked out at first. but then i actually started to enjoy myself. we weren't there for that long and then headed back up to my house and walked to the beach. slid down some cliffs and sunbathed. ran around the water for a bit, then headed back up here for some yummy food. salmon burger salads with pita chip croutons and trader joe's peanut sauce dressing. mmmmmmmm tasty.

i was definitely sad to see her go, she is such an awesome human being and she really reminded me of my fam back in seattle. such amazing, open, aware, beautiful people. so real. so down to earth. i miss them all and i was a bit hormonal but also nostalgic/sad most of the day. i'm so glad i had a chance to share this last bit of summer with such a wonderful soul. it's easy to get caught up in the current state of your life, but remembering and appreciating where you came from (or recently left) is important. i learned so much while living in seattle and met the most amazing people. i made friends for life. i love you all dearly and miss you so much it hurts. that is kinda why i started this blog. so people know i care about them even if i don't call or email a ton.

happy birthday to you all (recent past and near future). i wish you all the best!!