Oaxaca: Where they Kill Teachers

No, no, not American teachers! (Relax, KR) Laura and I simply happened to be here during a several-day protest against the govenment. Turns out that, several weeks ago, the state government decided to break up a teachers´ union strike by force. If I understand correctly, the teachers were camped out in the Zocalo (the main plaza, also a lovely place to have lunch and a few beers). Anyway, the army or police came, things got nasty, and several people died. Hence the protests, calling for the governor´s head. His figurative head. We think. (As the photo shows, the Communist Party of Mexico was also involved.)

Our days here have been good. Oaxaca City is a great colonial town full of cobblestone streets, ornate churches, and other colonial buildings. It is not a place that moves fast, which is mostly for the best. Both of us have been slightly sick (at different times), which makes us nap, which is not entirely bad. Also, we´re staying in a beautiful little hotel with geraniums and bougainvilleas (sp?) and a bunch of flowers we don´t know everywhere.

Yesterday, we hung around the city and went to the huge Zapotec ruins of Monte Alban, about 20 minutes outside of town (Laura is pictured at the ruins). Today, we strolled, napped, and looked at some really good art galleries, as well as some craft shops. Then we joined the protests, threw stones at the riot police, and ran away from the tear gas.

Ok, not that last part.

Tomorrow, we´re off to the beach. Not sure how easy it will be to blog from there, but here's a preview: We get up late, walk on the beach, read, sleep, drink margaritas and eat. Repeat that for about five days, and that should do it.

Until then...