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geri

Nov 23, 2006, 6:30 AM

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Oaxaca City advisory

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I've heard from several sources that things might heat up in the zocalo/Santo Domingo church area of Oaxaca on Saturday, Nov. 25. Consider this a travel advisory. :-) If you're in the city as a visitor, taxis will know the "safe" routes to take. Just avoid areas where you see more than one or two rows of police blocking the way. You can generally pass through the single or double rows of police stationed around the zocalo. Look for a passageway to the left or right. The police will welcome you onward. But if they look ready for action...scoot another way!

If you hear gunshots, it will probably be teargas.

I post this because many people think the entire city is under seige. It isn't. Another area to avoid is the University, on the way to Playa de Valle. This doesn't mean that anything really dangerous will happen Saturday, but since the possibility exists, I'm posting. Maybe others in Oaxaca have more specific details?

kerrydawn

Nov 23, 2006, 1:01 PM

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Re: [geri] Oaxaca City advisory

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This advice is totally consistent with what we have observed over the last 4 weeks

RonMader

Nov 23, 2006, 5:21 PM

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Re: [geri] Oaxaca City advisory

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Good advice, Geri. The big march is advertised starting from San Bartolo on Saturday morning. I don't go to the marches myself. I just wait for them to come out on DVD.

It is interesting seeing how the news has reported the problems in Oaxaca, cutting and pasting various critical moments that make it look like the entire city is under seige.

I suspect it will be a difficult week ahead as we head toward December 1st.

DoDi2

Nov 24, 2006, 11:35 AM

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Re: [RonMader] Oaxaca City advisory

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How is getting back and forth from the airport? At one point I had heard there were some issues but I assume it's fine now. I ask because I'm thinking of coming through there on a brief visit around Christmas.

Muchas thank you's for keeping us informed.

geri

Nov 24, 2006, 4:19 PM

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Re: [DoDi2] Oaxaca City advisory

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Unless there's a "special" protest, it's fine. The airport has only been closed a couple of times because of blockades. In fact, I flew in one day when it was reported closed. So, it' hard to tell even by media reports, and even harder to predict. The day the Preventive Police flew in, I had a guest who had an 8 a.m. flight out. She had to take a taxi to the blockade, walk around it, and then get another taxi on the other side. I know of someone who left that afternoon and had no problem. Air travel has been cut back greatly due to lack of demand, more than difficulty at the airport. I understand since it's federal/international in nature that protestors are not allowed on the airport grounds. Hope this helps.