I was out last night just listening the sounds surrounding this place and I was surprised to find that it sounded like an Upstate New York summer’s night with gentle winds blowing and crickets galore, really just a symphony of crickets. The land here is low and flat compared to San Agustin. I am almost into the valley soil, but not quite. There is bamboo, flamboyant, orange and fig trees. I haven’t check it all out, but it is a beautiful quiet lot. Last night, there were a lot of stars and there were constant flashes of lightning beyond the mountains, but no thunder and no chance for rain, which Oaxaca needs. It’s a dry rainy season thus far. Still the land is lush and milpas and corn cover the countryside. And just outside this casita is a field filled with fireflies. I haven’t seen so many in years. Again, along with the crickets and these fireflies, it could any summer evening in the country in many parts of the States.
And speaking of lush and verdant idylls. Yes, this is Oaxaca, a few kilometers above Benito Juarez, way back in the mountains. They grow fine potatoes there. It looks like the mountain hollows of Kentucky or Virginia or some alpine setting
There are plenty of pine and wild flowers, but if you look closely you can see all the magueys have been neatly clipped. Maybe these plants are destined to be mescal. I purposely left these shots large so if you click on them you can pick up lots of details.
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.
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
The hereafter re me
- Christopher Stowens
- Oaxaca, Oaxaca, Mexico
- Musician, photographer, videographer, reporter, ex-officio teacher, now attempting to be a world traveler
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