minor annoyances and a serious gripe

1. Battle of the bands. 

In the Zócalo (main square of Oaxaca city) today there was a free performance of the city symphony under a big tree. Chido. But not 30 yards away there was a tent set up with a PA system and a singer singing along to some cumbia recording. For the most part, the symphony drowned out the singer, but como chingas! Who gives permits for space in the city square?

2. Pinche El Pochote. 

There's a small independent movie theater here that plays free movies. Tonight went to see "The Fountain" at 6 pm according to the printed schedule and website. Me, a few other gringos, and a dozen Mexicans waited around until 6:45. They never opened. Como chingas!

3. White privilege in Oaxaca. 

In the Zócalo, there are cafes all on sides, with relatively nice restrooms. As a white person, you can walk in anytime and use them, unbothered. But the Mexicans have to use the crappy pay restrooms underneath the bandstand. Yo se, compared to the huge disparities in wealth, impact of NAFTA on poor people, election fraud by the PRI, occasional government oppression, it's minor...

There are also bars/clubs here that search all the Mexican guys entering but let the gringos in unmolested. Wtf? 

Now listening to some sort of mexican ska in a bar with wireless and 15 peso draft beers (about $1.20), y más tranquilo.