Oaxaca-The Year After: Concurso para diosa Centéotl 2012

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.

Friday, July 13, 2012

Concurso para diosa Centéotl 2012

On a stage set up right next to the side entrance to Santo Domingo this morning, the final selection was made for the Goddess Centéotl, the corn goddess, in the concurso para diosa Centéotl 2012. Each contestant gave a speech about her region. Many were in indigenous dialects.

This is just one more event leading into the coming Guelaguetza dance festival.

One of the great things about these sort of events is that one can see the richness and diversity of Oaxaca on full display.

They are not foolin' around. It is "Take my picture, now," which is so different from many other times in which people are very shy or even aggressive about not having photos taken.