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, March 6, 2013

If it's Tuesday.... blockades

In response to the reforms passed by the legislature and the arrest of La Maestra, Elba Esther Gordillo, the teachers of Section XXII are doing their normal thin, blocking roads and businesses.  These blockades throw the city into normal chaos and businesses and workers. both lose out economically.  This is the second day of a two day national strike.

The government has thrown in the towel for the time being and seeing as though nothing can get done, so it suspended operations and 7000 bureaucrats did not go to their places of work.

Meanwhile, the major shopping centers, where many people pay their credit card, light, water, telephone and tax bills were inaccessible and that is going to mess things up down the road for many and they are late in paying.

So, it's a mess, but normal.  The educational system is broken and fixing it is going to take time.  As always, there is resistance to change and the teacher's union is one of the most powerful in the country.  It will be interesting to see how it all plays out.  In truth, I am not hopeful.

Here is the story in Spanish from Noticias.

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