I don't look Oaxacan. I vaguely look like I could be from Mexico City. But then again, I vaguely look like I could be from any major city in North and South America, and Eastern and Western Europe (not Scandinavia), and Russia (but no other part of Asia) for that matter. But something about me must say, "I live here."

I was dog sitting this past weekend for some friends I had met at an expatriate Thanksgiving. They live about 45 minutes from the center of Oaxaca in a completely non-touristy, locals-only kind of neighborhood. I was walking from their place to a taco stand with the finest deep-fried tacos I've ever had. Sort of a once-every-two-years kind of meal unless I want a coronary bypass soon. But I digress...

As I was walking back to their house after clogging my arteries, a car pulled up beside me. The woman in the passenger seat asked me if I knew where San Martin Mexicapan was. Well, they lucked out because not only is that the neighborhood where I was dog sitting, but they were already in it. I told them as much (leaving out the dog sitting part) and they drove off.

I didn't understand how my comment could have helped. The neighborhood is pretty large with a lot of streets, but they seemed satisfied.

I continued walking and after a few minutes, I crossed the main street in San Martin Mexicapan. As I was crossing the street, the driver of a pick-up truck full of people stopped me and asked, yep, you guessed it, "Do you know where San Martin Mexicapan is?" I gave him my most informative answer and he thanked me and drove off. No further directions needed.

I even had a map of the neighborhood in my pocket because I didn't know it at all and yet nobody wanted more than basic information. I was baffled. Two questions kept spinning in my head, "Do I look like I know where I am?" and "Don't people need more information to figure out how to get where they want to go?"

Where am I?

Oaxaca

Oh, great. Thanks.

This morning I was walking in my own neighborhood, which I've explored extensively. Where are the little stores that are open early in the morning and late at night? Where's a laundry place? Are there any restaurants or bars? Where's the nearest grocery store? So, when a woman on a motorcycle stopped me and said, "Where is..." I knew I could help.

I was wrong, I couldn't. Her question turned out to be, "Where's the English school around here?" In my mind, her asking me this question makes perfect sense. I don't think I look like I'm from Oaxaca. A lot of young, international travelers teach English to make money for their travels. I might know where one could learn English. I failed her. I have no idea where the English school is. I do know there's a French school around the corner from my apartment.

I told her I didn't know and apologized. I didn't think it would be nice to ask if she wanted to take French instead.