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Jul - Sep 2003: I took a 2 month trip to Mexico, with a short side-trip to Guatemala.

Mexico, week 2

Jennifer Radcliffe
2005-11-12 11:23:44

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Oaxaca, part 2

When I got back to Oaxaca, there was a large political demonstration going on with banners strung everywhere and graffiti painted on walls calling for an end to political repression and the release of political prisoners. It is very strange to see these old colonial era buildings spray painted with graffiti. Hundreds of campesinos from nearby towns have gathered in Oaxaca to make a stand. They march during the day around the zocolo in a somber procession and they sleep outside the government palace building every night. It certainly adds an interesting dimension to my stay in Oaxaca and I feel a sense of solidarity with these people who are demanding justice from their government. It is great to see such a lively political protest atmosphere here, as opposed to the complacency and ambivalence that characterize US politics. It’s also disheartening to see that these people are in such a difficult situation here; instead of being able to dedicate themselves to their work and their family lives, they feel the need to come out here and protest a government that victimizes them. Perhaps I should be glad that the majority of Americans can afford to be complacent; it means that we are not so oppressed.

I met some girls during my final few days here who I ended up traveling with off and on during most of my trip. Saskia was from the Netherlands, and Helene and Anne were from Denmark. We trekked all over the city together in one day, exploring the lovely cathedrals and a few of the historical monuments such as the house of Benito Juarez, one of Mexico’s beloved presidents.

Oaxaca is especially known for having an especially lively arts scene. Many famous modern Mexican artists are originally from Oaxaca, such as Rufino Tamayo, Francisco Toledo and Rodolfo Morales. One of my favorite things in Oaxaca is a lovely art exhibit strung between buildings in a lovely area of town. ...