Oaxaca-The Year After: Atzompa at Night

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.

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

Atzompa at Night

As I have mentioned before, each panteon or cemetery has a different aura or atmosphere during Day of the Dead. Atzompa is known for it ceramics, but for El Dia, it is famous for its velas or candles.

The candles can be quite large and at the height of the celebration, the entire panteon is bathed in this incredible light. The graves are decorated in traditional ways, but it is the candlelight that makes the whole experience otherworldly and special.