A reliable reporter (who distrusts Mark more than I do)…
This on a travel site from a Oaxaca resident:
Yesterday afternoon (actually early evening) was a horrendous time in Oaxaca. From my rooftop, I watched the sun go down behind majestic Monte Alban. There was aspenglow at 180 degrees. I continued to watch the sky turn a rosy, comforting pink for 360 degrees. I also watched tear gas drifting from west to east in the zocalo. The sound backdrop to all of this was scared dogs barking (of course), church bells ringing, church music and chanting from the church 3 blocks from my house, ambulance sirens and gunshots (mostly tear gas as far as I can tell). I can’t distinguish between gunshots and tear gas. It was all very disturbing and surreal. But I felt no fear.I have not heard reports of deaths, but maybe they are slow in coming (the reports, not the deaths). HA! I trust my sources rather than the ones that are often posted. I don’t read Mark in Mexico, but maybe I should. Early on he wrote stuff that I KNEW didn’t happen. But we all have our sources so I’m not criticizing him. I just don’t report stuff that I don’t actually see/hear (unless I so indicate), so, from me, you all are getting a limited vision of Oaxaca.
Late in the day yesterday, the “gunshots’ got closer. This morning, I noticed several windows smashed at a bank near me, a gift shop and ADO bus terminal. The latter was busy repairing them. ADO is two blocks from me. A guest who was suppose to arrive last night couldn’t get through central Oaxaca and stayed in a hostel west of the zocalo. The protestors were blocking streets, but I think (but I don’t know for sure) that they are open now.
This morning I walked about, but not to the zocalo. There was a gathering of people, lined up peacefully, signing some kind of petition in Llano Park. They were pro-Ulises. Then about 30 minutes later, maybe at 1 p.m. or so, the copters were flying really low over my house. I assume they were checking whether APPO was going to confront Ulises in Parque Llano. Apparently not as all is quiet right now, 2:20 p.m.
It is certainly a disturbing time in Oaxaca. I doubt that it will get much mainstream press in the USA or other countries. I read a few articles by people who obviously are not here. Unless there were a number of deaths, media other than alternative presses, don’t pay much attention. But I may be behind in my media reading, since I’ve been walking around in the warm Oaxaca sun, and tending to my plants in my garden.
If you have specific questions, fire away. I am not trying to “make light” of the situation. I think it’s an IMPORTANT and historic time. In my book, it’s better to look at it as historic and TRY to understand the players than considering the media hysterics. Not an easy job and I don’t think I’m doing too well.
As a footnote: some friends of mine who didn’t know if they wanted to winter in Oaxaca this year came to “check it out” and decide. After being here a week, they bought a house!!! Go figure! Most of the people I know who winter here are coming back. However, if you’ve never been to Oaxaca, this is not a good time to come. It’s not dangerous, but your day can be interrupted and the zocalo isn’t exactly a “happy” place unless you like young, handsome preventive police!!!! 🙂
I am trying to understand the players and sort it out, but I guess I don’t have all the background and information that some people in the USA have. It’s amazing to me that people in the USA take such opiniated stances.
mexfiles.net 