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.
A friend recently said I was suffering from ex-pat syndrome, that I was seeing things anew from outside one's home country.... and things didn't look that good. Maybe I am too critical, but I sure don't see things getting any better any time soon. The sides are just too far apart. The debate is not a debate, it is just a shouting match. So rather than ying and yang, it has devolved to this.
And yes, it is a de-evolution, a slipping backwards into fear and ignorance. I could go on, but from this expat's perspective, El Norte, you've changed.
So rather than go into some meaningless rant, I offer this video of Eva Cassidy singing "You've Changed." Such an amazing talent and such a tragically short life. It's OK to shed a few tears, both for her and for the way it used to be.
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