Not the type of river you'd want to bathe in or even get close to,
this river reeks with vile odors and has lots of effluent floating in it.
People seem to be living in the various openings in it's concrete banks
and laundry is hung out to dry (air?)
in the hot and dusty daylight.

When coming over at the San Diego (San Ysidro) border crossing,
your senses are jolted into the reality of it all by the views, smell,
obvious poverty and sounds.

As you approach Tijuana, things change into a wonderland of sights
and sounds geared to making your tourista experience wonderful
or nightmarish.