One of the things listed on Tripadvisor to do in Oaxaca is to stroll down the Calle Macedonio Alcalá. One of my goals while I am here is to go through all the recommended things to do in Oaxaca by Tripadvisor.
Calle Macedonio Alcalá is mostly a pedestrian street containing high end stores catering to tourists. It is kept really clean and when I was there they were working on improving it more. The main walk goes from the Zócalo to just past the Temple of Santo Domingo.
University Fire
Remember the blockades I went through to get to Oaxaca? And the burnt out buses and trucks on the street? Well, the start of my walk down the Calle Macedonio Alcalá was related. On November 17, 2016, protesters set fire to government and university buildings on the Calle. As I started my walk the remnants could be seen.
As a result, university students were now having classes on the street under tents.
It is hard for a newcomer like me to understand what is taking place here. Apparently there is a very long history to it. From what I gather, one of the teacher’s unions, the CNTE, has been protesting government reforms to rely more heavily on standardized testing and to hold teachers more accountable for the low scores of their students.
The dispute has been bitter and aggravated when the government arrested 2 of the leaders on corruption charges. The result as been a lot of violence resulting in death.
The people I have talked to about it just shake their heads. There doesn’t seem to be a lot of support for the teacher’s tactics even among the other teacher unions.
Church
Anyways … walking up the street further I see another church. There are a lot in Oaxaca. This one is small and quaint.
Santo Domingo Plaza Area
The area around the Temple of Santo Domingo is the nicest part of the street. Lots of shops, restaurants and cool streets. All very clean and oriented for the tourist.
Market
At the end of my walk was a nice market. Very different from the usual Oaxaca market. Obviously geared towards the tourist.
All in all is is a nice walk.
My Location for December 3 and 4, 2016
Didn’t do much on these days. Went for my morning coffee and did errands.
My Location for December 5, 2016
My walk down the Calle Macedonio Alcalá.
