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

Thursday, March 13, 2008

In amongst the Maya

Ek Balam

Merida - Palacio Municipal

One of the things I have enjoyed the most on this trip is drinking in just how different each city we have visited is. Juchitan was a vibrant indigenous city. Villahermosa was a sleek, fast-paced cosmopolitan petro-economy based center. Campeche looked like it was still back in the 1930’s, a pristine and serene jewel with a wall to keep out the pirates and some of the most beautifully painted buildings – and absolutely no graffiti.
The Cathederal
Merida is a large and gritty tropical city that I am about to venture out into again as we have one or two more days here.
I love how people like to say that after hundreds of years the Mayan civilization simply faded away. They should have had breakfast with us today. Our waitress had the most beautiful classic Mayan face. They did not fade away.
This is a modern Mayan city. They are everywhere you look.
Yes, there is a large Spanish influence and this place has what I think is a horrible 500-year history of indigenous repression and abuse. I have some wonderful photos to demonstrate that fact that I will post later today or tomorrow. Don’t get me going…

This city has some amazing architecture. The baroque plaster brocades and filigree that decorate the brightly painted buildings is remarkable and beautiful, completely over the top in a good way.
Again, lots of photos to post, but I want to get out and shoot, explore and drink in this place.
After spending a few days at the ancient Mayan cities, I want to take advantage of being in a modern one.
Not much or a preppie now, am I? Not that I ever was.
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3 comments:

Anonymous said...

I love to check in on your travels and pretend for a moment I am seeing all the wonderful sights you are so lucky to behold! Gets me through my dreary days in the mall basement-turned-mall office. No windows or even a glimpse of the oustide for 8 and a half hours takes more of a toll than you'd think...
I am so glad to see your second life, though I think in many ways your first, is becoming such an incredible adventure for you. I can only hope that the future 30 years of beat-down in my life leaves me with half the insight, hope and willingness to explore that you now have.
Missing the red shoes... hope to meet you again soon! - Jyllian

March 14, 2008 at 8:06 AM
Anonymous said...

What was deleted?! I am on the edge of my seat now, please put me out of my misery ;) -Jyllian

March 18, 2008 at 2:30 PM
Christopher Stowens said...

I would like to say that it was something juicy, but it was just some link that took over your computer and ruined your life.

March 18, 2008 at 6:18 PM

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