Take a stand....

But what should it be?  More importantly, what will it be?

Down on the blockade

Hacienda Blanca is one of the key points of blockade, a bloqueo, by Seccion XXII, and is just down the road from me.  I have gotten caught in it a few times, but today I just went down to check it out.  The reason it is key is because it is really the only entry point to the city from the north, for instance, from Mexico City.

It is just after the intersection of the toll road and the non-toll road to the north and so... a perfect place to stop traffic or in this case, to control the flow.

And this is how they shut it down.

It appeared like no commercial traffic was being let through, but normal cars and vans were being allowed both northbound and southbound, but northbound was a single lane.

Southbound seemed to be two lanes.

Those guys were directing traffic and doing a good job.  I think the traffic lights were out.  And of course, not a cop anywhere in sight.  People have been commenting on the lack of police presence and it was certainly true at Haciend Blanca today.

 

Run this article through a translator.  It pretty much says it all.

Now that's a headline

A rough translation "Fuck Oaxaca!

From Imparcial this morning:

Business leaders, leaders of social organizations and unions thundered against the Interior Ministry by apathy and neglect that has addressed the problem of Oaxaca, where ineptitude and lack of authority a popular insurrection lives and a siege that held incommunicado the entity and the Oaxacan plunged into chaos.
The social rebellion facing the State of Oaxaca right now capitalized not only the teachers' discontent, but the social irritation road closures and economic losses that have recorded the productive sectors, said the leaders who questioned that every day is increasing the government's impotence against the excesses of the National Coordinator of Education Workers (CNTE).
Also, business leaders agreed that the company deserves respect and official indifference hurts Oaxacan, who are already thinking about a general strike and taxes.
The secretary general of the Federation of Markets Oaxaca, Amancio Pérez Ruiz said that it seems that the federal government is willing to "fuck Oaxaca" at the slow pace that has addressed the magisterial conflict.

Love affair with Tlacolula

It is always such a joy to visit Tlacolula. 

 It is a wonderful palette cleanser, an immersion into a rich stew of humanity in all its glory.

Sunday market is one of the the most popular and richest experiences, intense, at times, but fun.

The produce is always as good as one can find.

And some of the the very best street food anywhere.  These tacos and gorditas are from the stand right at the very beginning of the market. 

Under an orange canopy.  That's why the colors are off, but, oh my, the taste.  

The tacos are exceptional, but that gordita.... maybe the best street food combo, good fillings, deep fried in a patty of masa and then cut and filled with sour cream, lettuce and all the salsas and condiments you want.  So good!!  There was a time when I drove to Tlacolula six weeks in a row just to get a gordita.  True!  Just writing about it.....  I want one right now.....

And so it goes...

Life, I mean... it goes on. 

Obviously, lots of words have been written, opinion opined, even some significant actions like Brexit, the release of some political prisoners here, and negotiations abound.  Whether or not anything comes of any of this remains to be seen.  But in the meantime, as I say, life goes on.  I tried to make a run to the market in Etla, but was immediately met with a blockade which pretty much stopped me in my tracks and sent me back to the house.

So it was a short drive, however, some pretty dramatic shots, remnants of last week's turmoil.  Yes, taking the stones from the memorial to Benito Juarez to use in barricades.  Hmmmm....

The burned out hulk of the destroyed construction equipment.  I guess it will be a while until they return to finish the never-ending construction of the Metrobus lanes.

Yes, I have thoughts on all the turmoil here, but as I always note, I am a guest here and no one really gives a hoot as to what I think.  All I can do is remain positive and hopeful.  And at times, that is pretty easy.  Just look at how lush the countryside is with all the rains. 

Wait until you see pictures of the garden!!!  Keep hope alive!

Life goes on...

Check out these graffiti images from last Monday over at Casa Colibri.  And these from yesterday.   A detail..

The full image.

Having people in the picture changes the perspective and effect.

People continue to live their lives.

This..

and that

Things that make you go, "Hmmmm..."

The parties are back at the table engaging in meaningful dialogue... Ojala!  Maybe they can work this out.

Keep the faith...

More marches and blockades today.  I'm sure everyone hopes for some sort of resolution to all these conflicts.  The guelaguetza is upcoming and already people are canceling hotel reservations.  This does not bode well as tourism is mother's milk to Oaxaca.  My walk through the city yesterday was uneventful.  The rains put a damper on things, but mostly, people were out, living their lives.  I did notice lots of repair work on recently broken windows, but how does one replace this. Actually, I am sure they will, with typical Oaxacan resiliency.

A metaphor for a broken window of opportunity.

The Oxxo that was trashed was being restocked.

And ATM's out of use.  For many people, that's how they get their money... or maybe that's just how it is in my house.  As I said, people were out leading their lives as we tend to do no matter what the situation is.  However, on the bright side, yesterday is was raining, today, the sun is out and everything is green and lush.  Think positive... when it rains, sell umbrellas.

Aftermath....

Ain't no sunshine, a rare rainy day, time to venture out to the market in Etla.  It is busy and quiet at the same time.  Things are back to normal, but there is an edge. 

 

I live to the north of the city and the stretch of road between Viguera and Hacienda Blanca was one of the key points of blockades and protests.  It is just before the entrance and exit to the toll road north, so it is always a popular spot for blockades.  However, these were a different sort of thing. 

Every few hundred meters there was evidence of a fiery blockade, a line burned into the asphalt.  I was surprised by the sheer number of them.  Rocks, tires and debris lined the road after a quick cleanup. 

There were several burnt out husks of semis and trucks. 

Even a huge road excavator/scraper they have been using to construct the Metrobus route, a never ending road project, was totally destroyed.  I made it to Etla and back with no problems, but with the rain and all the damage, it was somber.  Then I headed into the city to check out the action and was greeted by this sign of the times.

The city was quiet, but depressed.... or maybe that was just me.  More on that in a bit.

Polarization brings chaos and death.

I returned late Saturday night to a city and state in turmoil.  There are protests and blockades in various key spots and lots of police.  Some of the most intense action yesterday happened quite near me as there was a blockade at Hacienda Blanca, the northern entrance to the city.  I watched the smoke from fires rise and helicopters flying very close to the ground from my house which is up in the foothills.

I would venture a guess as to what was really happening, but it would be just that, a guess.  And it would be wrong no matter what.  There are just too many issues and the sides are firmly entrenched.  And of course, there are the anarchists, a real entity, who are just messing with everyone, wanting to crash the system.  Agents provocateurs? Probably.

It is sad to see the deaths and destruction.  How did it come to this?  Lack of empathy and compassion and the rigidity of positions.  No chance for compromise.  Sounds like that is the case in many places.... but as I said, that is just a guess, and, no doubt, wrong.

Love that dirty water....

Well, it's not that dirty anymore, the Charles River of story and song.

Right off of Comm. Ave, there's a popular canoe and kayak rental place.  It's a very popular spot for many including dogs.  This guy had a life vest on and was having a blast.

I guess one can rent boats other than canoes.

Looks like fun.

Even some swan boats.

For those of you who don't know the song referenced in the title.

Celebrating the Artist

One of my favorite "very Boston" excursions is to take the Green Line in from Riverside and get off in Copley Square.  It is always bustling with activity and filled with people.  And right in front of the square, on the Boylston street side, complete with palette and brushes, is this wonderful statue of John Singleton Copley.

I love any city that celebrates its artists.  That's Trinity Church behind him.

Iconic architecture.

Speaking of iconic buildings.  The John Hancock building. Note the little tiny plane.  Things that make you go hmmmm....

I'm tired

Well, things are not going well either in Oaxaca or in El Norte.  There seems no easy way out of the problems in both places.  The sides are intractable.  Kinda wears one down, don't it?

Flights to Cuba!

Progress....

The United States approved scheduled flights to Cuban cities other than Havana from five U.S. cities, with service starting as soon as this fall, the U.S. Transportation Department said in a statement on Friday.

American Airlines Group Inc, Frontier Airlines, JetBlue Airways Corp, Silver Airways, Southwest Airlines Co and Sun Country Airlines will be allowed up to 10 daily round-trip flights, the department said. The flights will be allowed from Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Chicago, Philadelphia and Minneapolis/St. Paul, it added.

The United States and Cuba signed an agreement this year restoring commercial air service between the former Cold War foes for the first time in decades. Under the agreement, 20 daily round-trip flights will be allowed to Havana but U.S. carriers have requested nearly 60 flights per day, far exceeding the limit.

The Transportation Department said it expects to reach a final decision on which carriers will get the limited Havana slots this summer.

O boy, soy!

This is one of the reasons I always love coming back to Boston, the CMart in Chinatown.  It is an Asian supermarket with everything from live fish to the freshest vegetables.  I go there to stock up on soy sauce and sesame oil.  Look at this selection.

And it just keeps going.

And here's my choice.  That's a liter for $3.69!

It has a wonderful rich taste and aroma.  You can put a little in a spoon and sip it, just like good balsamic vinegar.

73 pesos ($3.95) a day

That's the minimum wage in Mexico, the lowest in all of Latin America.  Could you live on that?  Support your family?  Think about it in economic terms as well as migration, loss of culture, division of families, but most of all with compassion.  Without compassion, there can be no positive solutions and outcomes.

Essentially, walk a kilometer in those shoes.

My own moment with Muhammad Ali

I lived in Louisville, KY when I was young.  Every Saturday, I had All-City orchestra rehearsals. I played the oboe, the "ill wind that blows no good."  After rehearsal, I often went to a nearby steakhouse for lunch.  It was a thrill to eat out alone or with my brother.  One day, then Cassius Clay came in for lunch.  He was born in Louisville, a local legend, and was already a hero to many, so he caused a big stir in the place when he came in.  I just had to get his autograph..... but the only thing I had was my state-issued math book.  He signed the inside cover.  I was so happy..... but at the end of the year, we had to turn those books in and, being a little goody-goody, I did just that.  Boy, did I feel stupid afterwards.

So, somewhere, there exist an early autograph.  I sure hope someone ripped the cover off the sucka or at least tore out the page or stole the book.  Anyway, that's my moment with Ali.  He was my hero very early on in my life, always loved and respected.

The comedy skits just write themselves

"Bueno, no tengo piel fina," Trump protestado. "Tengo la piel muy fuerte y gruesa."

 

Is it better in Español? 

"Well, I don't have thin skin," Trump protested. "I have very strong and thick skin.
 "The lady doth protest too much, methinks" You can't make this stuff up.....

If a tree falls....

I am on a quick trip to El Norte because..... So I had these two large trees that needed to be cut down.  I just cut one down myself in San Pablo Etla last week.  It was not quite as tall as these, but still a pretty big tree.  And slightly different tools of the trade.  There, a hand saw and a machete.  Here, chainsaws, a crane, a huge chipper and three guys.  And they were good.  It was all over in just four hours.  From being there..... the one in the back.

 It was tall.

The one in the front.  It was old and .... tall.

Going, going, gone....

Break time

Way up there.  He made it looks so easy.

A lot of years.

All gone through the chipper.  OMG... I want that chipper!!!

And another thing.  They had a big truck so I had to go around and ask the neighbors to keep the street clear for a few hours.  They are finishing up a McMansion across the street and all the plasterers are Brazilian.  The Brazilians are in all the trades here big time.  The tree guys were all Chapines, from Guatemala.  My new neighbors are Chinese and are putting in a huge garden.  It all sure works for me.