Anybody know a guy named Eduardo. He's about 5'8", slender and about 40, he hangs out around the intersection of the alley and Const. on the lookout for gringos, He speaks excellent english and I believe he is from east L.A. I've talked to this guy every single time I've been to TJ for about the last 3 or 4 years.

I know him to be trustworthy as I've given him cash to run errands for me in the past and he's alway come through. He used to have business cards advertising TJ Tours.

One thing I like about him is that he doesn't hang around and bother you. I'll see him, he'll ask me if there's anything he can do for me and I'll usually just ask him how's he doing and tell I'll talk to him later. Seems like a nice guy. I enjoy seeing him.

I also ran into Mona yesterday and she was still floating the spiel about the bakery girls.

Scarus

Franco introduced me to a great burrito meal recently. $5 total for the two of us. He said he'd rather have the food or the money than drinks. The alcohol messes up his medicine.

He seemed healthy, in good spirits, and has regained that impish look he gets.

You take care of him and he'll take care of you.

Regards,
RickFeliz

Met Franco for the first time last night.
Poor Guy looks sickly.
I need no one to help me in the zona when it comes to chicas.
Some May choose to use one , if so just be aware that you will be assesed a fee for their services and that the chica may not live up to what you paid for.

Happy Hunting
Milkman

Milkman:

Was Franco at La Tropa for the fiesta?...Is that where you met him?...It sounds like Texas Mike was there as well...

YoungBrig

yes he was.
Someone introduced us.
yes Texas Mike was there as well.
he has taken a liking to me for some reason.
Franco didnt hang for long
Mike was there for a while

where the hell were you ?
lol
Milky

Milky,

Either we're confused on who Franco is
or
we process the same input differently
or
we have different goals.

I don't use Franco to meet "las damas de la fiesta" (party ladies). I can do that on my own. I simply hire Franco because I like him and enjoy his entertainment and educational skills. For the price of a $5 meal I can feed my stomach physically, my feelings emotionally, and my mind mentally. For me being regaled by "estorias de la zona" (stories from the zone) is an important part of the total experience. I enjoy breaking bread with Franco. They are many great story tellers on this site. Franco does it live. And emotionally I heartily enjoy sharing a friendly meal at a great price, listening to Franco's upbeat take on life, and watching his impish reaction to his own ideas. It's one layer closer to the true Mexico. Lord I love their ability to enjoy life in the middle of hardship. It's one of the most significant things I've learned at La Universidad de Zona Norte. Alan Watts said that there were 3 classes of people: the Aristocracy that lived in their former glory of the past, the Workers that lived in the present because that's all they have, and the Middle Class that lives in the future. And lord pity the middle class because they miss life. The Future is an illusion. Life only happens in the present. For me the U.S. operates on a different time than Mexico. I never knew that your understanding of time was a function of the metaphors of the culture you absorb. We actually have a choice in the matter. As I've gotten older I've discovered I prefer Mexican time and their metaphor. "El Sol"(The Sun) gets up in the morning and starts walking. I'm in no hurry to get to the end of the journey. My goal is to enjoy each remaining moment as it happens. I've gotten closer to the present experiencing time in Mexico. And Franco is one of the instructors at La Universidad de Zona Norte. He's a guy that in the middle of La Zona can be as happy as a kid on Christmas coming down the stairs, looking under the Christmas tree, and seeing the new puppy he was wishing for? And what does it take to light him up? A warm meal for his body and stimulating food for his brain. How could you not identify with a guy that's hungry for history books - English or Spanish?

Redongdo and I generally don't agree on many things. Which is fine and focusing on our disagreements is occasionally amusing. But what is more interesting is what we agree on coming from different points of view. What do we both see from different angles while playing the game sitting at different points of the circle. He'll have to speak for himself, but from what I've picked up, I think we agree on giving our business to certain people "off the gringo path". That includes the blue and white taxi drivers and Franco.

Milkster, I've enjoyed your enthusiastic stories about dancing with "las senoritas" (the girls). Keep on pouring that sweet stuff. :o)

Regards,
RickFeliz

Correction again: REDONGDO. (why can't mongers have easier spelling handles, LOL)

Master Bates.

Rick Feliz,

It's much too early for me to have to think...and I'm only on my first cup of caffeine...but if I don't respond I'll forget and someone will accuse me of ducking an attack....and my ego won't let me do that will it! HAH!

Rick, I think you and I could have some real epic chess games...allowing me a month to practice so I can get back into it...but our bantering back and forth (occasionally in e-mail now)was, in retrospect, a lot of fun. We tend to learn more from people who disagree with us...not always because the curriculum at La Universidad de Feliz is so chock full of cosmic truth.....but in disagreeing we are forced to reexamine our own perspectives before presenting a new argument. Sometimes you have to begrudgingly say "well maybe I can realign my thinking" and other times it strengthens the conviction you already had. Either way it's a good trip.

So we agree on Franco and the Blue and White cabs eh? HAH! I dunno about the give my biz part though, with the cabs it makes sense, with Franco I just consider him an interesting person to BS with. Street people tend to have a lot of interesting things to say. Flip flopping on that one I have to admit he's helped out a time or two. When pouring myself out of the Cascadas early the next morning....and not wanting to play streetgirl roulette...I've a time or two asked Franco for a recommendation and so far everytime has been a good one. He usually just says something like "if you have a good time take care of me later". I'll toss him a buck or two afterwards.

What it all boils down to is we're all just another dick, eh Feliz? HAH!

I hear the microwave going off....2nd cuppa cafe is on it's way.

I met another street guy, this time on Rev. As I was walking home after the Rev clubs closed at 3 a.m., this guy crossed the street and started telling me about the Zona. It was funny because he spoke perfect English and had a whole "used car salesman" type pitch. He was talking as if he was reading from a script.

Once I got to the turn to go towards the bridge, he told me it was dangerous to walk. I ran into him two nights in a row on Rev. He looks Mexican, probably about 5'9" or 5'10", perfect English, and well built.

-Superman-

Hi RickFeliz
No I competely Understood your post.
I scored higher than 20 on my Sat's !!
I was just saying that i do not need his help with any chica working or regular.
Nor Texas Mikes help.
Nor Redongdos help.
He seemed like a nice guy while he was at the La Tropa Festival.

The goal for most is too leave the zona with a smile on your face , if Franco helps you do that -thats great.
I bet a lot of these guys have great stories to tell and can fill you in on whats happening now.

I just have seen them busted too many times by the cops and try to keep my distance with them.
I make friends with everyone I meet there because you never know when you will need them.

I stay away from the gringo bars and the white parts of TJ as much as I can.
I like searching beyond the zona also.

Thanks for your response to my posts and one day we might run into each other
take care
Milkypie

Seems to be a new street girl in town. She's not a regular SG, but she is a hooker. Her name is Alice, she's short, about 5'2, maybe 120 lbs., long scraggy dirty blond hair. She's American, from the San Diego area. Also speaks Spanish. Hangs out right outside the Hacienda Bar on the westside of Constitucion.

I couldn't get her to stop talking, she appeared to be on something. Kept giving this hard luck story about running out of money while attending dental school. She also told me she's well known on "the web site" for giving excellent blow jobs. She emphacized that was her specialty. Then Marquez (street tour guide) approached and she was conversing with him in Spanish. Marquez backed up her story right in front of me, that this girl is known to give good head.

Alice is dirty in appearance, has crooked teeth and speaks with a slur ( could have been the moment when she was high) didn't go with her, for fear of my health being in jeopardy, so I couldn't confirm if she's a excellent sword swallower or not.

Master Bates.

Met Franco last week, he wants to personally thank all those who expressed concern about his health and well being while he was laid up in hospital, he would also like to personally thank those who made the effort to go see him while he was there in hospital.

Franco handed me his business card with his own web site and e-mail address. I'm not kidding, a street guy with his own advanced method of communication system to promote his "tour guide" skills. Technology has certainly come a long way, and it's nice to see homeless street people in TJ who are moving with the times!

Franco's web site address: www.francoscornersu.com (could hardly read his writing, that could be 5u.com)

franco's e-mail address:
francos corner@hotmail.com

The address for Francos site is: www.francoscorner.5u.com
And e-mail is: francoscorner@hotmail.com

There is not much there to see yet he has 6 links on the page that lead to unfinished pages. There is a photo of Franco though for anyone that doesn’t know what he looks like.

Of course he is using a free service provider and it is quite slow and you get pop-up ads when clicking links.

It will be interesting to see if he can generate some business for the web.

Dimone

Was in the Zona this past week-end, walking around the back alley with a few fellow mongers who were scouting for chica's. Came across Christy again. This girl has definitely hit hard times. She was wearing a white tamk top and blue jeans on this particular night, therefore I could clearly see all sorts of scabs and open sores all over her skin.

In an effort to promote VERY safe sex, I would advise for everyone not to get too close to her, or even accept a BJ from her. (Yes, she does sell her wares for a few bucks!) She's a nice girl, and very talkative, knows the area real well and is familiar with certain mongers who stop by the neighborhood, but this is one girl who would make you really think twice about any physical contact.

Master Bates.

To say this woman is a fucked up crack whore is a disservice to ALL the other fucked up crack whores!!!! I never thought I'd say this but I have NOW seen the bottom of the barrel!!

E

There is a grungy-looking little shoe shine girl who hangs out just east of the AB by the taco stands who goes by the name of Yadira. She's kind-of cute in an odd sort of way, she's only twenty one and speaks fluent English. This is because she lived in San Jose, Ca. while growing up.


I let her shine my shoes the other night and had a discreet conversaation with her. I asked if she did any other "services" and she smiled and said, "no, sorry. I don't do that, but thanks anyway."

I was wondering if anyone else has solicited her with a similar offer and if she has ever accepted anyones invitation. With a bar of soap, hair shampoo and some nice clean clothes, this cutie could look real attractive if she wanted to.

I know Yadira a bit. I've always wondered why she doesn't at least work as a fichera but I think she enjoys the street life somewhat. She has a novio last I heard but she will go for a beer with you if you're buying.

She likes her beer, but may want you to compensate her for lost work time.

I used to spend a little time with her. She actually got drunk enough to kiss me once.

Still like her, never see her around.
Recently she has acquired a puppy.

Several other "street" people refer to her as "la chilanga" because she is from Mexico City

I must say, Franco has proved once again he's worth his weight in gold in assisiting even a veteran whore monger like me in locating a certain SG. The one thing I like about him, is he never stands there anticipating a tip, (but I always tip him generously anyway) is always just happy to help, and is always willing to oblige. This is one street guy who has a reputation of a good "street guide" just by word of mouth alone. Right on Franco!

I have to second that, MB. I can't remember Franco ever getting on my nerves or anyone else's for that matter. He's always there when you need him and he almost never moans about money. Sometimes I tip him just because his restraint is so impressive.

I feel bad as I do see him often and he always says hello and never asks for money and I never give him money.

Next time he gets $10.

Apparently his site has moved. I was re-directed to chicachica.net but once there, I saw no more mentioning of Franco. Help?

Franco always hits me up for cash. I'm always surprised to read so many people say he never bothers them for money ...

-Superman-

His "site" is there ... the link is towards the bottom of the main page.

-Superman-

Does anyone know what Franco's email address would currently be. I have tried all of the above and no luck. Also does he have a current telephone number?

Schmidt

he does not check his email and his site is basiclly no mas.
he won't spend 10 pesos to make 20 dollars.
His phone number changes daily

I am sick and tired of Texas Mike hounding me for money. He is not content with a dollar, he wants five. I have seen what he does with the money. What else he uses it for drugs, which I have witnessed him using, and alchol, which I have never seen a guy drink a beer faster since my college days. I WOULD ABSOLUTELY NOT GIVE THIS GUY DIME ONE......YOU ARE ONLY FEEDING HIS ADDICTED HABIT. Someone mentioned some time ago to buy him a taco, if you must give him something. They were correct

Franco is the only guy who I give money to. He at least earns it from my point of view. He needs and I have excess. What I use him for is in a bar , Miami or Tropical for example, I will point a girl out to him. He will then ask her if she goes upstairs. The bottomline is I have saved money because I was not roped into the classic'buy a chica three drinks' and find out she does not go upstairs routine. The outcome is I save money and Franco walk away with 5 dollars which he uses for rent,meals, etc. The guy does not use it for drugs or alchol. I have been using this ploy for a few years

"Franco is the only guy who I give money"
...Me too. In the past I've given TexasMike $2 for doing nothing only to get a response form him of "but, I could really need $5". I'd much rather he just said thank you and went on his way.

Now if he asks for money I tell him "I'll give 50 cents if you lick the sweat off my balls". So far I haven't had to give him any money.

-snapper-




(Message edited by snapper on February 07, 2003)

Although I too think Franco is ok and if you need help tranlating/negotiating he can be trusted and useful, for the record he does use drugs. He and I have discussed his drug use explicitly, many times. Texas Mike I just say don't waste your time and he leaves as he is one of the most annoying humans on the planet. But make no mistake that any male street tout to whom you give money supports a habit.

If you give any of these guys money without them providing a service for you then you will always be marked !
They both know me and MIKE knows better than to ask me for money and Franco knows I dont have the need for any of their sevices. If you have to choose pick Franco.

There is nothing wrong for giving any street guy money if they provide a service for you.

Curiousone i am glad to see you know the street guide scene now we just have to work on your chica scene

Good Luck guys
Milkman

I have to admit though, the first time that I went to TJ, Texas Mike "found" me and correctly pointed out the street boundaries that I should confine my activities to (i.e., which areas are dangerous). Granted, all of this information is available on Club Hombre, however, I imagine that he has saved the skin of more than one TJ newbie.

If you are a TJ regular (unfortunately, I am not), I can see how Texas Mike would be a real pain.

Stupid question of the day:
===========================
If you had to take a TJ tour, and could only choose between Lakers or Texas Mike as your host, who would you choose?

Neither of them are worth a penny. If you REALLY need to take a tour I would talk to Franco.

i have to disagree. mike is a real pain in the ass, but can be helful if you need something. franco can be very resourceful. unfortunately a great deal of these guys dough comes from purchasing and delivering drugs. if you are seen hanging with either(paticularly mike) you are a target for a police search.

i was looking for office space. franco gave me the number of a commercial realator. i needed legal service and franco put me in touch with a lawyer. he use to work in an upscale tennis club, and knows many people in town. if someone is looking for me, he tells me who and where to find them.

i'm not sure why anyone needs a tour, but they could both show you around. if you like doing street girls then either can show you girls that have reputations for good service. franco is constantly pointing out street chicas to me even though i have never gone with one. if the question about lakers is for real--let me say for the record that his reputation is ruined in tj. i have never met him but know who he is. i have never heard a kind word spoken about him in "his" bar chavelas. many chicas tell jokes about him, and any chica that goes to the room with him is chastised for it. if you don't want to be approached by chicas, then he is probably a good guy to hang with.

we all have different needs. if you want to go to the room with a bar girl for 30 minutes, then i don't see much value in any of these folks. since we are a very diverse group their are many ho's and a handful of street folks at our disposal.

if you use any of these folks services, i strongly suggest you pay after service is rendered. if you want to buy drugs, then my advice is just say no. if you want a transvestite, then inbox milkman. have fun and make good descions.

What I hate, is when I'm strolling down the street focusing on the chicas, shopping for something, I'm not sure what, but I'll know it when I see the chica that has it. My mind should be on the chicas and making my selection but then Mike or one of the other guys comes up and starts pestering me with this or that. It totally kills my focus and by the time shake them half a block later,it kills the mood a little. It's like I'm concentrating real hard on figuring out if I like the young spinner in the mini skirt or that slightly less attractive chica that smiled at me just right then some guy comes up, and starts talking to me then 5 minutes later after I got rid of the guy, got my mind back where it should be, take another pass down the street and by then the young spinner in the mini skirt already went up with someone else while I was being pestered. What I really hate is when I am standing in a street lined by hundreds of prostitutes and some guy comes up and says he knows where I can get a girl, like I probably don't notice the 100 girls standing all around me and need someone to show me the secrete place where the girls are at. I never give any of them a dime. There are plenty off needy people in TJ that are much more deserving. The only way I would ever give one of those guys any money is if I needed something specific they could do for me but right now I can't think of what that would be.

I've never quite understood something - if you're already on Coahilla in the ZN, on the main corner between AB and CC where Mike always hangs out, what the fuck do you need a guide for? You're already there!!!

He should be up on Revo letting newbies know about the Zona. For a couple of bucks, that would be worth it.

Texas Mike helped me out on numerous occasions during the course of 2001 with my wayward fichera novia...If someone wants details, they can email me...

Anyway, I try to remember anyone that helps me out and in turn I try to help them out...To this day, I flip some efectivo Mike's way when I see him...

He has a straightforward, unaffected view of the Zona that I have always appreciated...

Does Mike have problems, and, specifically, drug problems?...Yes...For this, does he necessarily deserve the negative press he is receiving above?...No...

Buy him a drink and talk to him sometime...He actually has some wisdom and insights to share, IMHO...

As for what he does with the money we give him, I have seen him more than once trapse up the Hill to Kentucky Fried Chicken for a decent hot meal...

YoungBrig

Texas Mike means very well and has also helped me with personal favors -- Just don't use him as a mechanic to fix your car and give him a contractor's budget!

What's worse, though, him ASKING you for more money, or you giving it to him? Just fucking say NO if you don't want to. He'll pout and go away and ask you again in a week or so.

And finally, is his addiction any worse than some of our addictions to hookers? If I had one of Mike's handouts for every dude that has taken a perfectly normal life and fucked it up by becoming a Zona addict...

Now the possible bad side: Don't tell Texas Mike about your affiliation with this site or tell him (or have your 'friends' tell him) your handle if you don't want everyone to know.

Re: Franco's 'information', he gets from all of you a lot more than he gives. And then sells it as his own.

Mike and franco have always been harmless and ocassionally helpful characters of the zona.

I don't understand why anyone would be angry at them.

Who is angry? He is know different than if I tipped the cleanup boy at AB a buck and he asked for five. I would say the same thing about him as well. I just wanted to make people aware that once you start giving to this guy, he will expect it every time. Soon $1 won't be enough and he will ask for five and then ten. I am living proof. So now I won't give him squat.

Been a while since I visited this thread, some of the recent postings about these street pests are just so right-on! Especially "I Am Sancho's" posting regarding having the focus on SG's distracted by these parasites, especially when shopping for good quality pussy.

The one thing I am increasingly annoyed about is this pestering asshole called Fernando, the ex-shoe shine boy who used to wear those over sized Salvation Army suits. This dick is nothing but a constant annoyance. He is the worst thorn in my side, when I'm going from bar to bar.

Last week, while going from the AB to CC, he comes running up to me, even though I politely let him know I'm in the Zona almost every week, he still persists in trying to "sell" me his knowledge of where to get the best girls for a good price. When I all but ignored his plea's for a couple of bucks, the doorman at CC put his arm across the doorway in an effort to block Fernando from entering. (Ah, either he's under age and they know it, or maybe he's a pain in their ass too) So I walk into the CC, and stay in there for about an hour or so.

When I left, there's that Goddamn fucking annoying Fernando still standing outside the CC, pestering me again. It's as if he was waiting all this time for me. And the only reason I walked outside of CC, was to answer my cell phone. Even while on the cell phone outside the CC, even while engaged in conversation with someone, this rude little prick was going from side to side trying to get me to look at him while he's asking me for money.

How fucking rude! So, with the cell phone up to my ear, and my finger in the other ear, I told the person on the other end to hold on for a second while I gave this panhandling street urchin a deep hard dirty look and said, "Hey, do you fucking mind.....?

I sometimes wonder, is he really that fucking stupid, or does he do it just to try and piss people off? He obviously knows I'm no stranger to the Zona and also knows I have never EVER given him a dime, so I don't understand what this desperate measure to anger me is all about.

Or could it be that he's just dumb? Too dumb to realize he's annoying. It's amazing at times, when I often think to myself how uneducation also breeds ignorance.

M. Bates.

As for Texas Mike, he ruined his credibility with me a long time ago. Especially when he too would ask for $5 when I would give him a buck.

OK - I just posted a long passage about Texas Mike for anybody who is interested. See the Pulp F*R*I*C*T*I*O*N trip report thread on the discus.

I saw Franco the other day, he waved me down near the alley.. i told him i had to go to caliente to meet some friends, and if he had any recommendations, tell me.. Franco hooks me up with this cute SG, Andrea, 19, had jeans and a black V cut top, full pouty lips with the black liner, just a total hottie, ...we negociated for $40 sexo for 30 minutos, pretty hot fun, great attitude, i tipped franco about $5 ... He told me that he still has francos corner...

Terry? the Najera homeless day girl asked me for some change. Said she was real hungry. I only had 1 dime and 3 nickles and maybe a couple pennies. I walked over to a dog sleeping under a car and put out some food for fido. I turned away for a second and when I looked back Terry? was eating that dog food. And I don`t mean sampling it, I mean like it was prime rib or Filet migon. The doggie was kinda growling at her. In the past I just assumed any $ I gave her was for drugs or alcohol, but now I`ll believe her!

P.S. when i asked her what are you doing - put that down it`s dog food, she said well you only gave me a quater.

I have the #1 worst st. person. she is so damn disgusting, even the locals shudder when she in the area. For a long time I wasn`t sure if she was a guy or girl. Tues. she was laying in front of the corner bar passed out...3 pm...EXPOSED. This might be enough to make most guys throw up or give up TJ all together. Beware- She appears very unpredictable in her movements or actions. Once years ago I was eating at the main st. chicken stand and she started making out with some passed out drunk lying on the sidewalk trying to have sex on the st. corner-at like 1pm. Ah no I didn`t finish my meal. Anyone got a good nickname for her? Has anyone ever been drunk ENOUGH to do her?

All time runner-ups go to the 2 with various painted faces. One a girl who mutters to the air and walks around in a strange pattern. And the wild looking,slow walking guy who usually tries to veer into you or stops in front of you expecting "something"! Watch out for these two escapees. Any good nicknames for them? Least around Halloween they don`t look too far outta place. These two plus my #1 are capable of anything at anytime.

I saw Franco again this weekend.. he was at the fiesta, and then helped me get a charger for my cell phone....we talked about SGs, and the top ones.. he also told me about the orange Metered Taxis, they usually charge about 3 bucks to go back to the zona... Overall a good experience with franco.