Journal

Day 5 - February 1, 2005
by Barbara, Ruth, Rhonda

The morning began as usual, the walkers walking at 6:30 AM, eating breakfast of fresh squeezed orange juice, scrambled eggs (with or without ham), black beans, pancakes, fruit and bread, followed by getting ready to meet the bus at 9:00 am. However, Earl was taken from his breakfast to take Karen to the doctor via a taxi.

Medical treatment was provided. Both Earl and Karen returned for breakfast and everyone rode the charter bus to the SORIAN, a market very similar to Super Wal-Mart, for a 30-minute stop.

Things we noticed at the market:
•  Our purses were checked upon entering

•  The eggs were not under refrigeration; but, in a cooler area of the store

•  Fish choices included octopus

•  McCormick, Jell-O and Nestle products were available to purchase

•  The cornflake box picture was a white family of four – mom, dad, girl, boy

•  Purchases were sacked in plastic bags

•  We were told to stop taking pictures in the store

•  Almost everyone collected the “colored advertisement” featuring specials including TV's and a Sony Play Station 2.

•  People were dressed much the same as you would see at a US mall. They appeared to be a younger crowd – possibly a bit more affluent than some of the villages we've visited.

• Consumer goods, such as pots and pans, cleaning supplies & clothing were 20-30% off

• A number of employees, both inside and outside the store were cleaning the area

• There were a few rides for children priced at 2 pesos

• Major appliance products included microwaves, large screen TV's & Sony Play Station 2 & a power tool section

Outside in the middle of the paved parking lot was a tower manned by a “vigilancia”, (a policeman in the tower). He spoke only Spanish. Also outside, next to the SORIAN, was a Bancorte with a long waiting line of customers. We think the beginning of the month made for long lines of people depositing money, getting money and paying bills.

The movie theatre billboard posted at least eight movies available for viewing: Taxi, Elektra, Voces Indentes.

The next stop was the bigger, “modern market” hosting the businesses of Sears, Gigante, Sexy Jeans, Bancorte, an inside playground with inflatable toys for young children, many small fine jewelry shops and a food court. Again, the customers appeared to be younger and more affluent and dressed in denim or professional attire. People were also driving very nice cars, although there were taxicabs bringing people to the modern market.

Near the shopping center were McDonalds, KFC, Pizza Hut and Burger King. Dan and Nancy Clark and a few others shared a McDonald's McMuffin Americana, with bacon, egg, refried beans and cheese. At Burger King, they sampled a whopper, fries and coffee. They all agreed it wasn't much different than eating in the U.S. except the meat patty was smaller.

The next stop was to the rural village of Santa Cruz Papalutla, some miles from Oaxara, where we toured the village and were served a Comida prepared by a family. This family operated at least three businesses from their home. The father has a bakery business which produced about 600 pieces of bread on days of operation. He used a traditional oven fired by wood and a modern commercial oven fueled by propane. There is a small store that carried rice, beans and soft drinks. There is a small hair care business. Both men and women are served. The operation has a license.

Unlike the colonial style houses in Oaxaca, this family's house was more of a ranch concept. It was all one level with low ceilings. The kitchen had a gas/propane stove, china cabinet and a refrigerator. The living room was fully furnished included a TV and VCR with clock.

Farm work around the village of Santa Cruz Papalutla provided a sharp contrast between the eight tractors owned by people living in the village to the two wheel carts pulled by oxen that were being used to plow and haul farm produce. The one tractor we saw was a New Holland newer style tractor, no cab, and small by our standards. Cattle, hogs, turkeys and chicken are cared for close to the homes. As we were leaving, a herd of cattle moved easily down the unpaved street in front of home where we dined.

The drive from Oaxaca to Santa Cruz Papelutla provided views of housing settlements, various business enterprises (eateries, car repair, food stands, etc.) This is an agricultural area. Garlic, alfalfa & corn are grown. Many of the fields were irrigated. The source of the water is wells. Long black tubes and sprayers are used to distribute the water.

The plastic bags and other trash along the roads were in stark contrast to the cleaning we saw in the shopping centers, where workers were cleaning products inside and in the parking lot outside.

continue to day 6