Nowadays when I tell people I'm going across the border to Mexico, I get reactions like "Is it safe?" to "Are you crazy?" I read in the paper that border crossings in 2008 are down by 20% from the previous year and much of this reduction in traffic is tourist related. With all the stories of gang violence along the border, there is cause for concern. And if it were not for numerous previous foot trips across the border and our one previous visit by boat, I don't think I would have considered the Mexico option.

Even so, when I crossed the border into Tijuana by foot at 9:46am on Saturday morning to meet the coutesy van from Puerto Salina, I was a little nervous - but for no cause. I crossed with many people, and families in broad daylight - with no evidence of any threat to my body or property.

I arrived at the designated pickup point (McDonalds) 10 minutes early. It was easy to find and very near the border crossing. I waited. No driver. I waited some more. By quarter after 10 I was concerned. By 10:40, I was losing hope and devising alternate plans.

"Hey" I shouted to attract the attention of the driver as he pulled up across the street. I was so thankful to see him, that any ill will I held for his tardiness was completely washed clean. And good thing. Not until the next day did I discover that in actuality he was 10 minutes early. In Mexico, on this day, they are still on standard time - in the USA, we have all jumped ahead to daylight savings time!