Arriving in Zoquitlán

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Second part of September 5, 2023

Around noon, the priest and bodyguards indicated it was time to load up and head for Zoquitlán, where we will spend the second part of our visit. we headed back out to the Panamerican highway that runs from near Ixtepec to Oaxaca. Only a few minutes after leaving the shelter we saw children in school uniforms walking and wondered where they might be going. As we approached the toll booth for entering the highway it became clear that they were forming a blockade. These cute and well groomed kids now had handkerchiefs and bandanas covering their faces, blocking the road, and demanding money for a school program. The Federal Policeman warned me not to try to take a photo. Money was paid and we passed.

Then we were back onto the winding narrow highway with no shoulder. For some reason the continous mountain road curves did not cause me motionsickness. I still had my medicated patch to fight motionsickness, but this time I was sure to have a minimal breakfast before traveling.

After a half an hour we came to a blockade of the highway. It’s not possible to see who or why there’s a blockade. the Federal police driver used his privilege to pass all of the stopped cars with sirens, driving in the left lane until just the second that something opened up and he inserted his car behind first blocked car. Then we were able to resume the trek north. Once again the harrowing curves driving along with enormous double trailers coming at us around the curves.

We stopped at a mezcal plant with roadside sales. It was good to be able to strech legs, use the bathroom and have taste of the local mezcal.

Bottles of mezcal, the liquor made from the agave plant, mixed with various other flavors.

Back on the highway we found the road the leads off the Panamerican into the mountains. The mountains are just endless in Oaxaca. Thankfully this road had been paved in the last 2 yers, making this segment only 1-1/2 hours and we arrived safe and sound in Zoquitlán.

The volcanic mountains that are ever present along the Panamerican.

As we arrived in town we were shown to a nice house that had two beds ready for us, and wonderful Mexican food with freshly made tortillas.

The town church has been decorated and readied in great detail for the festival that starts the next day.
A woman tends the garden outside the church
Fr Stephen greets an old woman who has been maintaining a prayer presence in the chapel of the side of the church.
The town church has been decorated with a profusion of flowers. But even these flowers will be substituted with fresh flower by the next morning.
Children and adolescents are excited about the upcoming festival, and a little shy of a gringo taking their picture.
Hanging out at the main town square and meeting locals over coconut flavored ice cream on a stick.

We are thankful to have arrived safe and sound, and looking forward to the beginning of the festival.