Street photography is addicting as beer, booze or cocaine.  After it gets in your blood, it stays.  It envelops you.  It hooks you.  You can't get enough of it.  Everywhere you go, the essence of street photography lures you to it.  If you're visiting Denver, San Francisco, Calgary or any important North American city, you know what I mean.  And Mexicali is no different.

Left:  Crossing Av. Mateos at Av. Zorrilla.  Right:  Strolling down Av. Mateos, in downtown Mexicali.  Note the lack of tourists.

So what does a 50s-something, somewhat student of Mexican culture do on a late April' 2005 afternoon, while walking the streets of downtown Mexicali, Baja California?  Take street photos!  Hey, at least that keeps me away from the dirty bars and the wild women.

Left:  Av. Mateos, in downtown Mexicali.  Right:  It's 4 o'clock on a Thursday afternoon in April, 2005, and we have a drunk, passed out on the sidewalk.  Such behavior is not only stupid, but illegal in Mexico.

Left:  Hotel del Norte, a place where many memories are made.  Right: Need a shoe shine or your teeth filled? Check out Av. Francisco Madero, in downtown Mexicali.

So I spent a bit of time wandering around the streets of downtown Mexicali, particularly near Avs. Madero and Reforma, photographing everything and anything.  I love to photograph people, especially in a foreign country, and, although downtown Mexicali is only a couple of blocks south of the U.S. border, Mexico is a foreign country and Mexicali is very different than any city that you'll find in the U.S. or Canada.  It has been said that no two countries are closer together, yet so different than the U.S. and Mexico.  From my experiences, I can vouch that that statement is true.

Left:  Puestos and other food vendors are out in force in downtown Mexicali.  Note the schoolgirl in her uniform, mandatory in Mexico.  Right:  Strolling along Av. Madero.

So join me as I wander around the streets of downtown Mexicali, with camera in hand.  Enjoy!

Photos:  Locals shop and gather to chit-chat along Av. Maderos.

Left:  This lady sells homemade, pre-made tortas at the corner of Av. Mateos and Calle Nelgar.  Right:  Pre-made tortas, wrapped up and ready for sale.  She was asking $25.00; around $2.00 in U.S. dollars.

Left:  This is how the torta lady commutes to work, and transports her goods.  Right:  On the other side of the corner, a tamale vendor has set up shop from a puesto.