I went to the beach today. It was quite lovely: La Playa de Tijuana which is right at the border. So interesting to compare life on one side of a fence to the other. On one there are businesses selling cocos frescas (fresh coconuts) and mariscos (seafood) and kids and families and lovers on the beach. On the other there is dehydrated grass, border patrol truck tracks on the sand, and not a person in sight...just the city of San Diego in the distance. Just standing there brings me back to Ixtlilco Il Grande where I met with migrants last year. Listening to their stories. Listening to their hopes and then their realities.

We, the other volunteer and two workers, went for tacos overlooking the ocean. It was nice albeit a little bit windy. I drank a michelada (beer with special salsa y chile) and felt even more at home. Afterward we went walking on the boardwalk which is under construction, checked on the car to make sure it hadn't been stolen, and then back to the beach to frolic in the water. Vendors were selling snack along the beach and kids were running about as adults joked or sat or talked in groups. On our way out, a man who was watering his flowers on the street offered to wash our feet for us.

It was about 6 when we left Playas and went to meet the young puppies of one of the workers we were with. On the way we past another workers house and stopped to chat with the family (wife, kids, parents, sibling and nieces). An hour later we met the puppies, then chatted with the family for about an hour. Family family family...great.

Finally home and I'm exhausted. This is not really a reflection but I needed to write something. Now I must sleep...