Caras de Linea My Mission Statement

La otra lado, the other side...

There is a fence just down the I-5 that separates the United States of America from the United States of Mexico.  On one side of the fence there is a line...a line of people waiting and waiting for their turn to cross to the other side.  Walking into Mexico we are now all corralled into a razor wire high fenced in, slightly over sized sidewalk that is uphill (for seniors and disabled as well), through federal property (no rights in this zone) then zip through the familiar turnstile. Soon Mexico will have a brand new facility to welcome visitors, for now its down

 the stairs and viola “Viva Mexico”!  

However coming from Mexico into the U.S. be prepared for “the line”or “La Linea” as the regulars call it.  The pedestrian line can reach up to a thousand people on any given day, taking anywhere from two to three hours.  Reaching five hours during the Christmas Season. 

 The line during December shows Mexicans like to shop and they shop in the U.S.

 (and this is a problem I ask?).

Who are these people from all walks of life? All ages and ethnicity's, that stand in the sun for hours at a time,that bring umbrellas for rain or shine.  Where are they going and how does this affect their lives?  To help clear any misconceptions about the thousands of people who cross this line for whatever reason, to show the real people, who have shown great patience and humility while enduring this process at the International border, some on a daily basis, for years at a time.  I have created “The Faces of the Line” or in Spanish “Caras de la Linea”.  

I have asked the people waiting in line if they would like to have their picture taken and answer one or all of the following questions, along with what is your Name and what Country are you from

and permission to use the photo.

1. How often do you cross?
2. What  is the longest you have waited?
3. What is the one thing you always bring with you to the la linea?
4. Where are you going? or if you prefer, How long is your commute?
5. Do you feel welcome when you enter the US? (CBP)
6. Would your life change if the border was open and how?

                  Believing that only through understanding do we find compassion and with

compassion hopefully one day peace. Living without fear accepting each other.

My New Project: Faces of the the Line- The birth of an idea

I've started a new page on Facebook and will hopefully

  have started  it up and will be blogging about it on it's own page.

 It's called Caras de la Linea or Faces of the Line.

I feel that the general public has a pre conceived notion of who is crossing

the U.S. and Mexican border everyday.  I hope to show the diverse wave of humans

that pass through this gate/fence one by one every day to the rate of  

an average 50,000 people every twenty four hours.

This man has not given me his permission to use his photo yet, I need to get it on

a phone so I can show it to him and ask  him how long he has been playing the line.

I can vouch for at least two years.

I plan on giving out little cards to each person in line starting at the end and working my way to the front, explaining my project. Then if they are not interested they can return my card and if they would like to participate they can sign it and I shoot!

I want to ask 4 questions they can answer one or all four. I will get their name and county.

1. Why are you crossing?
2. What's the longest you've stood in line?
3. What is the one thing you never leave for the line without?
4. Would your life change drastically for the best if the border was more efficient?
5. If you could change something in your life what would it be?

So I hope my portrait skills will improve and maybe something good will come out of it!

Still here

In a few days, I will have lived in Playas De Tijuana for two years.  

I have had time for reflection, observation and apprendir (learning). 

There have been barren deserted moments and unfolding enlightening sunsets along the way.

So I thought I would compile some of my favorite things in no special order:

1. Frequent inexpensive public transportation with live music  2.Street food vendors 

3. Water delivered to your door with fresh fruit and other goodies

4. Affordable utilities 5. Sobre Rueda (Swap meet/ Farmers market

& some things I could do without:

1. homeless dogs  2. getting gringo prices  3. trash/dog poo 

So here's to another year south of the border! Living on the ocean, getting my Baja on! 

 

LA SIRENA SIGHTSEEING TOUR

Dia de los Muertos 2012 Un Paseo por la ciudad

Took a multi-taxi to town

where I found a few tucked away markets

with eager vendors and the Day of the Dead
or Dia De Los Muertos decor galore!

Exploration and adventure, was to my delight around every corner!

Dia de los Muertos is a national holiday so the market was full of leisurely shoppers. Families picking out items to take to the cemetery for decorating the tombs of loved ones past. Marigolds or Cempasuchils, are  laid out and in small villages a pathway will lead from the cemetery to the altar in their homes, so the dead can smell their way back home to the physical plane. Pan de muerto, a special bread made for the occasion, along with water and salt to nourish and purify along the journey, favorites of the deceased will be added as well, possibly a favorite spirit of the material world such as tequila or the popular Mexican Buchanan's Whiskey. A photograph, favorite toy for children, sugar skulls or calaveras, personal belongings, candles and incense.  This celebration of the dead has roots that reach as far back as the Aztecs and is seeped in Catholicism as well. On October 31, All Hallows Eve, the children make a children's altar to invite the angelitos (spirits of dead children) to come back for a visit. November 1st, considered All Saints Day in Mexico is known as "Día de los Inocentes" (Day of the Innocents), it honours children and infants passed.   November 2, the adult spirits will come to visit. November 2 is All Souls Day, Dia De Los Muertos,  when families go to the cemetery to decorate the 

graves and tombs of their relatives. This three day celebration is a time for families and friends to share stories, traditional foods, and camaraderie with one another and their ancestors.

Calaveras de Azucar~Sugar Skulls

La Ultima Cerveza~The Last Beer

Many of the vendors at the mercado

had ofrendas or offerings for their loved ones

but the biggest alter I've ever seen was set up

in the middle of the market...

I just love the colors of Mexico

a feast for my eyes!

So after the hustle of the market

its time for a coffee at Caffe Sospeso

The evolution of coffee has hit Tijuana!

Now I as well as the sun setting in the sky were ready to explore the cemetery and it was getting busy.  The afternoon light reflected off the marble, the angels seemed to be smiling.

Families making their way to the graves of

their ancestors, with buckets in hand to clean the head stones

 with all the makings of their ofrendas.

The roving mariachi's were playing sad songs of days gone by. Children rolled around in the grass and the spirits

 were rejoicing I'm sure!

The perfect way to end my day reflecting

on my own ancestors and those I love who have passed

before me...

Lifes a Beach

Sunsets just keep getting better day by day

and in the blink of an eye... now sets just past the casa de ninos.

So I'll wait for her return I wonder when it will be...

A feast for my eyes

I love finding the old Tijuana, be it a dress or a floor tile the theme runs through and through.

The colors never stop amazing me I'm on the look out for paint now. The colors of the sky.