Ahhhhhhhhh......

My flight in was nowhere nears a dramatic as the one last year, when I went to meet a friend at the airport and watched her plane land between storms on either side of the valley and underneath one of the most vivid rainbows I have ever seen. Still, aside from being in a middle seat on the longest leg of the flight, the tail end from Mexico City to Oaxaca was pretty spectacular with towering clouds and glimpses of lush green landscapes. I got video of it on my new flip camera, but have not seen it yet.

There is such a difference between rainy and dry seasons. In April, after six months of no rain, it is brown, brown, brown. When the rains come in May, the land questions it, asking if it is just teasing, but then the skies open up and the countryside is transformed. My first night here we had a wonderful long soaking rain. The same last night.

Interesting to see the changes that have occurs during my absence. Lots of construction projects are done and many more in progress.This is Calle N. Bravo and M. Alcala. These workers were just cranking. I am always struck by the power of sheer gut work, the heavy lifting of stones, the wheelbarrows of cement, the five-gallon buckets of wet sand, all done by hand. That's how they built Monte Alban.
Restoration of the south wall of the interior of Santo Domingo is proceeding.APPO and the teachers are still ensconced in the zocalo. They still have problems. I can't see how the businesses are surviving down there. Actually, lots of places are really hurting and probably will not make it. It will be interesting to see if tourists show up for the Guelaguetza later this month bringing an influx of much needed money.

As always, the graffiti is amazing.And comes from many sources. Malcolm lives!
More later... but it feels great to be back.The day ended with this sight from the house in San Agustin Etla.