My walk to Tijuana

Posted byPhilip A. Lederer MDPosted inCalifornia

Our weeklong vacation is winding down, so it was time to do one of my favorite things in the world- to go to Tijuana.

Back from 2008-2011 I was nicknamed “TJ Phil” by my friends Monica Bhagat and Mike Rhodes because of my passion for Mexico. Yesterday I decided to rekindle that spark by walking from San Diego to Tijuana, in search of the Great Spirit.

Back in 2011, Mike, Monica, and I walked about 17 miles from Coronado to San Ysidro. We didn’t make it all the way into TJ, and we has to take a bus the last three miles, however. So yesterday I decided to give it another go, solo, carrying my violin, passport, and water bottle. My friend Ben Hulley lent me his sunglasses so I was good to go.

I took off at 9 AM in Ocean Beach, looking excitedly for the Great Spirit. Unfortunately, I soon realized was headed in the wrong direction – toward Canada, not Mexico.

So I corrected course, turned 360 degrees, and walked South along the waterfront, toward the border. Five hours later, my friend Ben Hulley picked me up in Logan Heights, almost in National City. I had failed to reach my goal by over 10 miles, but I did have a belly full of tacos.

So we drove into Tijuana and went to Playas before the soccer game.

Leaving Ben’s house in San Diego
I am smiling as the walk starts, carrying my heavy violin case.

A few miles in, I made a guitarist friend and played a song, “Santa Fe” in front of the USS Midway. Perhaps my new musician amigo was the Great Spirit?

Sailboats in the harbor. I imagined living in one, like my attending physician from UCSD, Dr Robin Ryder, did long ago
Petco Park, home to the San Diego Padres. Play Ball!
Excited to be arriving in Logan Heights, where I had my primary care continuity clinic for three years.
Art under the Coronado Bridge.
An eagle?
This could be a totem pole, a tribute to the Great Spirit.
Art under the Coronado Bridge.
Break our mental chains
Outside the health center where I had my clinic from 2008-2011. UCSD no longer has a relationship with Logan Heights Family Heath Center.
After 10 miles of walking I needed some refreshments.
Back on the road. I know this isn’t the Great Spirit. It looks like a Diablo.
Lost pup:(

Perhaps s/he was looking for the Great Spirit.
Ben Hulley picked me up before I accidentally wandered onto the US Naval Base. Then we drove down to Playas De Tijuana.
Our plan – a Xolos soccer game at 7 pm.
But first, we stopped by Playas looking at a garden near the border fence.
Heart sculpture in Playas.
The border.
Dr. Ben Hulley and I, standing where the border fence stretches out into the Pacific Ocean
Corazon roto? Broken heart?
Go Xolos!
Back in California after the soccer game (Tijuana won, 2-0). I do think I found the Great Spirit in the stadium, among the singing, flag waving, dancing Xolos fans.

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Published by Philip A. Lederer MD

Thanks for visiting my website! I was born in 1980 in Columbus, Ohio and live with my family in Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts. My training is in internal medicine, public health, and infectious diseases. I am an advocate, writer, and musician, and recently I completed my first marathon.

2 thoughts on “My walk to Tijuana”

  2. Thanks

    On Sat, Feb 26, 2022 at 6:49 AM Health and Healing wrote:

    > Philip Lederer MD posted: ” Our vacation is winding down, and it was time > to do one of my favorite things in the world- to go to Tijuana with > friends. Back from 2008-2011 I was nicknamed “TJ Phil” by my friends Monica > Bhagat and Mike Rhodes because of my passion for Mexico. Yes” >

    Reply

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