Oaxaca quote of the day, as posted on Facebook by my friend and neighbor, J: “Antes, no salía sin checar el clima. Ahora no salgo sin checar los bloqueos.” Translation: “Before, I didn’t go out without checking the weather. Now, I don’t leave without checking for blockades.”
Mexico’s Interior Secretary, Miguel Ángel Osorio Chong, is refusing further dialogue with the CNTE (teachers and education workers union) until the blockades are lifted, the CNTE is vowing to intensify its actions around the country, and rumor has it that masses of vacant hotel rooms in Oaxaca (thanks to large-scale cancellations) are being filled by federal police. There’s a dance going on in Oaxaca, I don’t know the steps, but in the meantime, let’s put on our red shoes and dance the blues.
Let’s Dance
by David Bowie
Let’s dance put on your red shoes and dance the blues
Let’s dance to the song
they’re playin’ on the radio
Let’s sway
while color lights up your face
Let’s sway
sway through the crowd to an empty space
If you say run, I’ll run with you
If you say hide, we’ll hide
Because my love for you
Would break my heart in two
If you should fall
Into my arms
And tremble like a flower
Let’s dance for fear
your grace should fall
Let’s dance for fear tonight is all
Let’s sway you could look into my eyes
Let’s sway under the moonlight,
this serious moonlight
If you say run, I’ll run with you
If you say hide, we’ll hide
Because my love for you
Would break my heart in two
If you should fall
Into my arms
And tremble like a flower
Let’s dance put on your red shoes
and dance the blues
Let’s dance to the song
they’re playin’ on the radio
Let’s sway you could look into my eyes
Let’s sway under the moonlight,
this serious moonlight
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View From Casita Colibrí 
Shall I still come to Oaxaca on 2August?….if I can land at the airport and get to my house (near market on Tinoco y Palacios) will I be confined there for the month , do you think?
All is tranquil in the city, though the bloqueos continue to wreak havoc into and out of the city and state. No one knows what is going on, rumors are flying, but it looks like something may happen in the next day or two. Did you buy trip insurance? I would, just in case you have to cancel at the last minute. Sorry I can’t be more definitive. ;-(
Finally after 15 years I will be back visiting my family. I will be going to San Miguel del Valle, Mitla, Zimatlan Mixtepec and other towns. I hope not see many blockades. Perhaps you know where I can get some info regarding blockades. I will be there July 9th.
Are you on Facebook? If so, join the “bloqueos y accidentes en oaxaca” group. Another good Facebook source is Clandestine Oaxaca. Send me an email (link on bottom right) with your name and email and I’ll recommend you for membership. Also, el Imparcial http://imparcialoaxaca.mx often posts the schedule of bloqueos. Hopefully, you are flying into Oaxaca. Currently, the 1st class ADO buses between Oaxaca and north (Puebla, Mexico City) aren’t running. 2nd class buses have been running between CDMX and OAX with many detours.
Hi, here is my email. eddyrya@hotmail.com Eddy Reyes Antonio. I sent a request to join the group. I will be flying into Oaxaca. Thank you very much for your information.
Only just now reading this informative post from July 1 and hoping by now (July 9) that the situation has improved, or at least isn’t worse? Thank you for sharing. Obviously, you are a big help to others who need to know what to expect if arriving into the area.
Currently all is quiet, though encampment of the zócalo remains, and there are sit-ins/pickets in front of shopping malls and foreign big box stores. The few bloqueos on the highways are letting cars through but not buses or trucks — though they are withdrawn at times. No one knows what is really going on behind the scenes. In the meantime, preparations for Guelaguetza continue.
That’s quite a visual … Once again, thanks for the first hand update. So sorry this is happening in and around your lovely town (city). It’s encouraging that Guelaguetza preparations are underway. Many thanks and take good care!
Leave it to Mexicans to create a saying for the situation! The protests are gathering strength in other parts of the country. I can’t say that I expect this not to get even uglier before all is said and done. Be safe!