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jfurgers · Joined: 18 Sep 2005 Posts: 442 Location: Mexico City

I just read an article on msnbc.com about the protests in DF and other parts of Mexico because of the results of the presidential election and it was saying that the tourist industry is really starting to hurt now. The article went on to say that Mexico is losing $25 million a day now.

It was saying that hotels in DF are having mass cancelations and it's difficult for people in DF to get around, at least at the Zocalo. Any of you guys (or gals) living in DF having any problems with your classes being cancelled or getting to your classes due to the protests?

Many tourists have cancelled trips to Mexico because of what's going on. What's it really like there these days? I know how the media here in the States can overdo it sometimes.

Thanks, John

Guy Courchesne · Joined: 10 Mar 2003 Posts: 9650 Location: Mexico City

There is another thread covering this, and I have some pics up on my blog.

Haven't had classes cancelled yet, but it's slow summer season anyway. It's getting hard to get to class, since I move up and down Reforma normally.

Kids are going back to school soon, so traffic will be outright impossible once they are back in the rush hour commute if tent city stays for the long haul.

There hasn't been any violence. Don't know if foreign media have been playing that angle. I waded hip deep into a sit-in with a camera and got no more flak than a few glares. Probably not dangerous for foreign types.

M@tt · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 473 Location: here and there

From what I've heard, there isn't much action outside DF, so the tourism industry can't be hurting that bad. I'd guess 80% of it is Quintana Roo coastal.

$25 million/day is really nothing for a country the size of Mexico. That's probably the equivalent to the total number of mordidas paid per day for traffic violations.

Please PM me if you're interested in any other made-up statistics. Laughing

MELEE · Posted: Fri Aug 04, 2006 5:27 pm Post subject:

I was in Oaxaca City July 21 to 23rd. We had to do some paper work on Friday and thought we'd take advantage of the situation and spend the weekend touristing. July in Oaxaca is always pretty crazy. While we didn't have a problem finding a hotel, which might not have been the case most years on those dates, the hotel was 90% full and had not knocked down its prices like we had hoped. The streets were full of tourists as usual for July, maybe a bit less, and everyone seemed to be buying buying buying, which was a surpise as the Oaxaca Public TV station had said sales were off by 80%. I noticed a lot of national tourists, so maybe other people in the country had the same idea as us? There were also North Americans, and Europeans, the only ones who seemed to have cancelled was the Japanese, who usually turn up for the Guelaguetza in large numbers. Of course this is all just my observation which is totally unscientific. The venders I talked to said, yes, they were selling, but less so. I suspect the state government is exagerating the finacial losses somewhat.

RyanS · Joined: 11 Oct 2005 Posts: 356

I blame all the dead people who voted.

Guy Courchesne · Joined: 10 Mar 2003 Posts: 9650 Location: Mexico City

Not much happening today. Bit of a festive atmosphere with lucha libre and costumed dance shows to keep the troops happy.

The cops have pulled back to focus on traffic control while the protesters have their own uniformed security force.

ls650 · Joined: 10 May 2003 Posts: 3484 Location: British Columbia

Samantha · Joined: 25 Oct 2003 Posts: 2038 Location: Mexican Riviera

Yeah, I think we should continue searching for tequila of mass destruction. Much more fun. (Sorry, I watch American Network and Letterman)

geaaronson · Joined: 19 Apr 2005 Posts: 948 Location: Mexico City

In 1978, Boston experienced the blizzard of a lifetime. For many years afterwards, a local entrepeneur enjoyed considerable revenue from the sale of a T-shirt that read, �I survived the blizzard of `78�.
For anyone out there to make a quick buck, why not a T-shirt, �Participant in the DF rally, vote by vote `06�?

jfurgers · Joined: 18 Sep 2005 Posts: 442 Location: Mexico City

Thanks for all of the information everybody. The media here in the States is having a field day with all of the protests going on in DF. Lou Dobbs especially.

thelmadatter · Posted: Sun Aug 06, 2006 4:28 pm Post subject: t shirts

I was near the Zocalo last night, when AMLO called the faithful over to the Zocalo to protest TRIFE's decision for a partial recount.

I saw a couple of people selling commemorative T shirts. Was tempted to buy one but with the charged atmosphere, I decided against it.

Guy Courchesne · Joined: 10 Mar 2003 Posts: 9650 Location: Mexico City

I've got that song stuck in my head now...voto por voto, casilla por casilla.

thelmadatter · Posted: Tue Aug 08, 2006 1:14 am Post subject: ???

You sure that the ONLY thing stuck in your mind from Sat night?????? ji ji ji ji ji

Guy Courchesne · Joined: 10 Mar 2003 Posts: 9650 Location: Mexico City

Alfie's ear-to-ear grin is still fresh in my mind. And of course, the Great Gay Sock Mystery.

geaaronson · Joined: 19 Apr 2005 Posts: 948 Location: Mexico City

Okay, I understand that TRIFE has decided to open up the ballot boxes in 9% of the precincts and that they have ruled out annulling the july 2 election, but have the specifically ruled out a recount of vote by vote. Most people I have spoken to have assumed that they have done so, but I beg to differ. I have not read that they ruled against vote by vote specifically.
Anyone confirm or deny this with any certitude.