Quiet Oaxaca

I´m here! It is so good to be back in Oaxaca.
Unfortunately, the federal police arrived today too. President Vicente Fox has ordered the federal police into Oaxaca. Today. Apparently, it is because a settlement could not be reached and an American IndyMedia reporter, who wrote for Narco News, was shot and killed last night while covering the protests. The Oaxaca airport was shut to commercial traffic for several hours so the police could land in the city. When we did finally arrive, all of the tourists were huddled into a group, separated from the nationals. Then, the head of the airport warned that the situation here is getting worse and anyone who wanted to get right back on the plane and head back to D.F. could do so for free. All of us decided to stay in Oaxaca, except for one couple from Australia. Travelling for six weeks, they decided to just switch up their itenarary. The next hurdle was getting a shuttle to el centro. Each taxi and shuttle approached said ¨no way, we´re not going into the city.¨ Myself and a couple from San Francisco pooled our resources together and finally made it to the main road, hauling all of our luggage, where we were able to flag down a ride. Driving thru the city was strange. It is deserted and there are barricades everywhere. It looks nothing like it used to. However, I am happy, although wary, to be here and hope that this conflict ends peacefully. By the looks of things outside, Oaxaquenos have their doubts. Alder, her boyfriend, Ryan, and I had dinner at Los Cuiles, my favorite cafe. Normally open until 11pm, they closed their doors at 6pm. Everyone is going home. The city is quiet, save for random fireworks and barking, and everyone is staying off the streets to avoid conflict with the police. This normally bustling city is eerily still. The nightlife is nowhere to be seen. Even Alder and Ryan had to rush off to get home before dark, when the barricades go back up. I´m going to stay inside, watch movies and cross my fingers that the night passes without any conflict.