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

Sunday, January 31, 2016

Hay siempre Esperanza

There is always Hope!.... Esperanza, the queen of Tlacolula, dancer extraordinaire and the one with some of the best barbacoa anywhere.   And that smile....  I love that she always is decked out in very traditional clothing and yes, the plaid is hardcore traditional.
A meal fit for princess.
Looks pretty good, doesn't it? 
It was... and so was the second one.  We were so happy to see her in San Juan Guelavia for the Feria del Carrizo. 
Carizzo is a bamboo-like plant that is (almost) a weed in places, but this village, San Juan Gelavia,  makes the most wonderful pieces out of the plant.  It is very labor intensive work to prep the plant for weaving and these people re real masters.  Here is one of the baskets that demanded to come home with me.
$400 MP..  a ridiculous $22 US.  OMG!  What an amazing scene.  We were there last year and it was a quiet humble affair.  This year, however, it was Huuuuge!  Today was the opening day and it was absolutely packed with visitors and the vibe was one of pure joy.... really.  This is a relatively poor village and they must be very happy to see so many people show up to visit and to eat and spend pesos.  What a difference from last year.  The organizing committee really hit this one out of the park and put the master basket makers on the map.  There was lots of action including a guelaguetza featuring lots of the traditional dances.  And there were so many little kids involved!  No wonder the traditions continue.  They start so young.
It just becomes a part of the fabric of their lives.
More tomorrow on the feria.  More tomorrow.

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