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, February 18, 2015

Faces from Carnival - San Martin Tilcajete

Yesterday, Mardi Gras, carnival was celebrated in San Martin Tilcajete, the famous alebrije or woodcarving village.  It appeared to be a very popular destination as there were lots of foreign visitors, all loaded with cameras.  And San Martin openly welcomed everyone with their version of Carnival. 
As usual there was a good band.  I love this clarinetist's carved mask, a very typical San Martin carving style.
The wood carving skills were evident in many of the masks.
 
These are heavy masks. 
I recognize the styles, very San Martin Tilcajete.
The main event is the boda or wedding(s), both civil and religious, of bride and groom, both males. 
The civil ceremony is performed in front of the Palacio, the municipal center, followed by dancing.
There are processions to and from the bride and groom's houses and finally to a home for a semi-formal religious wedding.
It seems to be an all male event with lots of the men dressed up as women.  Sometimes, it is hard to tell.... except for the chin hair.

Today, Ash Wednesday, everything is quiet.
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