The here and now... and what and why

Complacency is a trap. At least that’s what I was thinking when I up and left the comfort of a Yankee prep school gig, where I taught music, amongst other things, for 28 years. There was also that life long career as a composer, musician and artist.

First, it was a year in St. Thomas, USVI, working as a reporter and shooting photography and then, a year in San Agustin Etla, Oaxaca, Mexico.
Time passed.
More time passed and a year back in the Athens of America followed by a hasty return to Oaxaca where it is all happening.
A couple of years in San Sebastian Etla and now, just down the road in San Pablo Etla. Life is good.

Click on an image to see it larger.
For additional photography please visit my flickr page.
You can find my music on Jango (World & latin - Worldbeat) and at iTunes and most online stores.
¡Soy consciente de todas las tradiciones del Internet!
If you are coming to Oaxaca, please contact me for tours or advice.

Santo Domingo

Santo Domingo
The view from Corazon del Pueblo

The hereafter re me

My photo
Oaxaca, Oaxaca, Mexico
Musician, photographer, videographer, reporter, ex-officio teacher, now attempting to be a world traveler

Saturday, March 15, 2008

Actos espontaneos de caridad

Random act of kindness...
They were giving "abrazos gratis" in the zocalo in Merida yesterday. If you don't know about the Free Hugs Campaign, you should.

There are numerous videos on Youtube.

I watched and shot photos for a half hour and was struck by the fact that only one in ten, if that, stopped and received/gave a hug. Anyone who wanted one, could have one, "no a la discriminacion."
There were lots of young people spread out in front of the catheral and the entrance to the zocalo, well-dressed, all smiles.

Every now and then someone would jump out of a car run through the traffic and get a hug, run back and jump back into their car while everyone cheered.

And an ocassional pedestrian would stop, but I was amazed that so few people partook in a simple joyous act.

The huggers were watching me watching them and videotaping me and as I left, I got my hugs.
What floored me was my reaction. Just a simple hug from a stranger in a strange city moved me to tears. Those who know me would say, "Still the same old Stowe."

Kindness is so powerful. I carried the feeling with me and did my best to pass it on.

No, I am not in jail because of it.
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1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Every time I read your blog, I feel like I get a free hug.

March 28, 2008 at 9:48 AM

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