Tijuana, Mexico: Real Mexican Wrestling

by Adrienne Wilson on

As a child I would watch the WWF on television side-by-side with my kid bro and punish him later with some killer wrestling moves of my own. As a young girl I towered over the little pip-squeak and made him plead for mercy. I showed none. You could call me the ‘Macho Woman Adrienne Savage.’ These days I wouldn’t dare. In fact, I don’t even watch wrestling anymore. Whatever became of the WWF? It’s something else now, right? Through Nacho Libre it has worked its way back into my life. I want to be a kid again. I want to root for the underdog and for him to be a victorious champion and hero. I want to go to a real live wrestling match.

Tijuana. Jim Benning tells a tale of the real Nacho Libre in Tijuana, a popular Mexican border town outside of California for the Washington Post. Great fighters bounce from the ropes off each other’s chest sending the crowds into cheering mode. Few gringos are amongst the fans of El Hijo del Santo, Blue Demon Jr., and Rey Misterio. This is a better side of Tijuana. I suggest fans of the film click into this for a real taste of the wrestling scene.

In the mean time is there anyone who’d like to go? I promise not to use any sleeper holds and I don’t bite – anymore.

Diver Sues Mexico

by Erik Olsen on

Go over to Divester and check out this post by Willy about a guy whose family is suing Mexico after he died in a diving accident. The guy’s name is Ricardo D. Loya and he was on a business trip in Cabo San Lucas two years ago. He decided to go diving when he saw a brochure in his hotel room, and headed out with a scuba diving with a dive master he believed to be “PADI-approved.” Alas, no. And the “dive master” left poor Loya unattended underwater. Loya drowned.

GADLING’S TAKE FIVE: Week of July 2

by Adrienne Wilson on

It’s Friday and that means show and tell time here at Gadling. Ultimately we show you what you may have missed and you tell us what you like. Here we go.

5. Unique Hotels:
It wasn’t until last year sometime when it really started to dawn on me how much of an experience a hotel can provide. Before coming across some really cool spots to crash and lounge around I would just sleep, eat, and hit the road. So now, when I go to book hotels, before I grab the best deal, I look for other special qualities and what makes the place unique. In this blurb Neil describes places online that make it easier for travelers seeking similar hotel unique experiences. (I know I sounded a bit like an infomercial, but seriously check it out!)

4. Afghan Wildlife Reserves:
Erik is right – not many folks will bother going to Afghanistan let alone a wildlife reserve there should they every come to reality, but I felt it was a fine post and deserves another looksie. If we can’t go by foot, plane or train we may as well use our minds and travel with our imaginations.

3. Suspect Waters:
Hardcore, summertime, backing packing through the woods has never really been my thing and I can also tell you one other thing that hasn’t been my cup of tea on any trip of any kind. Um, diarrhea. Yeah, it sucks. In this post Neil directs us to the LA Times for a piece on some of the challenges faced by backpackers on their weekend escapes.

2. Mexico By Train… With Money:
Here’s an easy one… Ever been to Mexico by train? Got a little cash to blow this summer on your lavish vaca? Then drop a little money on a Mexican train excursion. Oh, and take me too!

1. Balkan Odyssey Part 1: Getting to Albania:
Did you know there was an airport actually named after Mother Teresa? I didn’t – until now. Neil’s back from his journey with plenty of tales to share. Go take a peek at his first installment to what looks like a very promising trip report to the Balkans.

Mexico By Train…With Money

by Erik Olsen on

We’re big on Mexico by train. Why, just a few days ago Adrienne posted about doing Copper Canyon by rail. I have it on good authority that this is a MUST DO trip, that the canyon is gorgeous and the ride, while at times perilous, offers a wonderful mixture of comfort, luxury and adventure.

And for those willing to pay out a bit more, you can enhance that luxury quotient by several-fold. The folks over at Luxist have posted about a company offering uber-luxurious trips in Mexico. called GrandLuxe Rail Journeys they offer a nine-day package that takes you on a meandering tour down from Texas to Mexico City. You will chug and choo-choo through Copper Canyon and then to Guadalajara and Tequila (where you will need to disembark and do a shot..sorry, it’s the law), then you are headed to the historic town on San Miguel de Allende and over to the Pyramids of the Sun and the Moon at the ancient city of Teotihuacán.

But such fun doesn’t come cheap. The trip starts in October and a Presidential Suite costs $6,190.

Photo of the Day (6/30/06)

by Neil Woodburn on

Visiting local outdoor markets is one of my favorite things to do while traveling.  The oddball variety of various food items for sale is always bizarre and, at times, even disturbing.  Today’s Photo of the Day captures the allure of foreign markets with a shot of what looks like a mouth-burning selection of chili peppers in Oaxaca, Mexico.  Thanks to Moody75 for contributing this shot to our Gadling Photo Pool.