#197 / 2011 May Oaxaca: What I Like

WHAT I LIKE #197  May 20 I have waited a while to report, I wanted to give it some time and I am enjoying the luxury of nothingness, no commitments, no phone, no internet. The days and most nights I now spend translating poetry for Tuesday nights. More on that later. I don´t have anything to say, as I originally planned, on reporting any sense of danger as a traveler. I feel completely safe in my quarters and have had absolutely no trouble in the streets. But I see a lot of political intrigue on the streets. It is hard for the people here. I wanted to go the grocery store and stock up, not much food let in the fridge, and every major supermarket was being picketed. This was mid week. I see that the workers spend a lot of time protesting in the streets, by the thousands. I wanted to go to a bus stop and protesters were fifteen abreast on Calle Indepencia. I was the only trout going upstream. It was quite an experience and as I looked at all their faces I wondered wouldn´t they rather be at home on the weekends instead of walking, carrying banners, struggling in the heat? I am told it is mostly the teachers out protesting. I don´t know the issues. Also the people stand in line for hours to get their checks cashed. There is just so much time invested by them to get anything simple accomplished. People are lined around the block on Fridays and Saturdays at the big Banks. I am told few Mexicans keep bank accounts because it is so easy to get ripped off. I love my apartment. I feel like I´m in a monastary. And although I enjoy the folks I chat with they are my age or older. I don´t have a true sense of belonging.