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, December 12, 2012

Virgin of the Guadalupe Day

You know it is a special day when the bands start playing long before the sun rises and the cohetes, loud firecrackers, echo off the mountains.  And so mexicanos began to celebrate the Virgin of the Guadalupe (here's the story). The Virgin is the iconic figure of Mexico and can be seen everywhere, at any time of year.  She is a constant and today is her day.  So boys dress up like Juan Diego and girls wear indigenous outfits to represent Tepeyac, the region where Juan first spotted the Virgin.

This was the altar set up for her in the market in Etla this morning.
The market was quiet, but it was early.  Still, the streets were filled.  I wish I could describe the aromas that filled my nostrils.  First, it was a powerful fragrance of fresh mandarins, tangerines, so fresh and strong.  Ahhh, a little bit of heaven!  Then, the smell of oranges, then chocolate, then the smells of cooking.  Life in Smell-o-vision.
We are so spoiled here with the freshest produce.  I returned with beautiful avocados, onions, tomatoes, a huge head of the crispest red lettuce, fresh tortillas, tamales, chile rellenos, nice big sesame rolls, and a super fragrant cantalope.  However, when I started driving home, the car filled with the perfume of a perfect piƱa, pineapple.  I could practically taste it.

A good start to a special day.  Celebrate it accordingly.  Of course, the best shot of the year was this one from Teotitlan del Valle, where I am just heading out the door to visit, so I can celebrate it with the danzantes del plumas and the good people out there.

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