I could smell the rain coming. On the motorcycle you are more aware of subtle changes in the environment. I could feel a slight drop in temperature and what were sharply defined shadows of the road now faded to a flat grey, matching the sky. I was riding into a stiff crosswind, bobbling my head, bending the trees and scattering debris across the road. When the rain began it came as a sudden blast. In the 95º heat, it was refreshing. I didn't bother to zip up my jacket, just letting the cold droplets penetrate the gap between my helmet and chest. It didn't last long and in this heat, it evaporated before the road could even become wet. The roads today have been a delight. Narrow, winding and steep with little traffic. Leaving Oaxaca I observed many plantations of Agave cactus planted on the steep and barren slopes of the canyons. Agave has become the cash crop of this region due to the increasing worldwide popularity of Mezcal. Oaxaca has become famous for its artisan distilleries and produces 90% of the world's supply. As I road through the small towns along this highway I saw many workers tending the fields. Just like traveling in wine country, there are many tasing rooms. I didn't partake. It's hard enough to concentrate on the roads without a few servings of Mezcal onboard. I did encounter a strange situation today. About midway in my ride... a little before the rain started, I noticed I was coming up on a traffic jam. Large trucks were all stopped on the road and there was a line of vehicles about a mile or more deep. Using my now well-oiled lane-splitting abilities, I worked my way through the tangle and noticed that many drivers were standing or sitting outside their vehicles. Whatever was happening, it seemed that it had been going on for some time. I made it to the front of the line and saw that crowd (100+) of young people (teens and early 20s) and pulled several large tree branches across the road and were sitting in a long line blocking traffic. I so wanted to take some pictures but I find that it is not a good practice when encountering a protest. Everything looked peaceful. Everyone was smiling and chatting. The trapped drivers didn't seem too distressed. I turned off the bike and pulled off my helmet. The driver of a car that was next to me said (in Spanish) that the students would let me go through on a moto. I called to the students "Puedo ir?" (Can I go?). Some of them nodded yes and others shook their heads no. A boy who looked like he was in charge pointed to the far end of the barrier. I pointed to the end of the barrier and repeated "Puedo ir?". He nodded. I went! I fired the bike and turned in front of everyone towards the edge of the road. Causally rolling around the makeshift barrier and away I went. Passing the hundreds of cars piled up on the other side of the blockage and then out onto the now completely empty highway. When I got to the next town I stopped for gas and asked the attendant about it. I didn't completely understand his answer but it had something to do with a new highway that is being or is going to be built. I ended my day in a little town called Cintalapa. I'm staying in a basic, but clean hotel that costs $20/night. It has a nice garden and secure parking. Good enough.