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

Wednesday, March 21, 2012

Feliz Cumpleaños - Benito Juárez

206 years ago today, up in the mountains, in the village of San Pablo Guelatao, one Mexico's most important political figures was born.  Benito Juárez, a Zapotec, a oaxaqueño, went from extremely tough and humble beginning to become president of Mexico.  In fact, he was elected president five times.  He is often described as Mexico's Abraham Lincoln, but maybe Lincoln should be described as the US's Juarez.  In the long run, Juarez may have done more than Lincoln and in the minds of the indigenous, he is one of their greatest advocates and heroes.
Here is a restoration of his early home in San Pablo Guelatao.
 He sits looking out over his village and his country beyond.
 "Entre los individuos, como entre las naciones, el respeto al derecho ajeno es la paz" - "Among individuals, as among nations, respect for the rights of others is peace."

Words to live by.

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