Protests, marches, blockades...oh, my!

One thing about Oaxaca, people get out and let their voices be heard.  Protests, marches, blockades, are all a part of everyday life here. And even though they may cause problems and tie up traffic, it's better to be here, where people take action, rather in a place where folks stay silent and in their houses. 

So today it was the mezcaleros de Tlacolula and Mitla.  This was a protest in front of the Tax Administration, but damn, it sounds like they are stealing holograms!  Uh, I'm not sure what that means... but cars and computers, I understand. And, not sure about the electronic signature, either.

Mescal is a very hot product these days and hundreds of hectares have been planted with agaves which will take years to mature.  And lots of new producers everywhere.  How long will this mezcal boom last?  Of course, this piece of street art was on a building just steps down from the protest.

As for the politics, I'm staying well away... "It's Chinatown, Jake... only with mescal."

Hats, spoons and bowls, oh my...

A perfect display from a street vendor.  The light, the colors and the textures of the wood, all work.  And I can imagine Bruno Mars in every one of those chapeaus.

How's the weather out there?

 

I know it is sweltering in many parts of El Norte right now, but here in Oaxaca, as you can see, the rainy season is here.  Many people imagine that Mexico is always hot, but guess what?  It's not.  There's even snow in parts of the country.   The hot months here are, generally, April and May, the end of the dry season.  Normally, there is sun in the morning well into the afternoon.  Then, as the heat goes up, the clouds build and then, a late day rain.  However, this is not a normal rainy season.  It has been gray, off and on for days, with flooding and road damage in many areas.  Water is so precious here, no matter what, every drop is still appreciated.

Who knew it would be this long....

I know, I know, it's been awhile, but I'm still kickin'.  I returned a couple of weeks ago and well, life's just been too exciting.  I told myself I would post on the next sunny day and, of course, we began the longest, grayest and rainiest period I ever remember experiencing here... and I have a solar hot water heater!  Anyway, yesterday, the sun appeared.  It felt wonderful.  Of course, right now, Sunday afternoon, the wind is howling and is as gray as ever.  At least, it's been good indoor activity time, like music, but that sun was so nice. 

But I know some of you are out there wondering and watching, so I'll try to reemerge in the the blogosphere.