Hola, Colorful Street Vendor. Can I Take Your Photo?

Travel Blog  •  Jim Benning  •  07.05.05 | 2:23 PM ET

Further evidence that the entire planet will one day become a giant theme park: In Tijuana, Mexico, the new mayor has ordered street vendors to wear traditional clothes in bright colors to please tourists. The new rule, which applies on weekends, took effect June 25 on a small pedestrian thoroughfare. But according to an AP story in USA Today, vendors on Avenida Revolucion, the popular bar-lined street a 20-minute walk from the U.S. border, will soon be required to wear the traditional garb, too. Mayor Jorge “Hank” Rhon said the rule is designed to help visitors “feel Mexico.” Ridiculous.