Oaxaca-The Year After: Atzompa

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.

Thursday, January 19, 2017

Atzompa - It never gets old

Well, of course, it is old, from around 650 AD, but the experience of visiting the place never gets old. I can see it from my house and whenever I hear its call, I jump in the car and head over and up... and up... and up. It is great exercise and the views and the vibe....

This time, there was one other car in the parking lot, but I never saw any sign of them. Once again, I'm alone in this amazing archaeological site.... well, almost alone.

I know there were a few workers out there. This renovation has been ongoing for quite a few years and over the years, there has been lots of progress. I was here when is was just rubble and then watched as they sorted all the stones and slowly put things back together.

This restoration is not perfect. It is a bit too pristine in spots. There is no climbing on anything.

However, it is a wonderful and important project. This was the historical hangout for the elites from Monte Alban and was a very important from a strategic point of view.... one can see many kms in all directions. That's my house down there! See it?