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, April 8, 2015

Carnaval in Teotitlan del Valle - 2015

Carnaval in Teotitland del Valle is very different from most.  First, it is after Easter, not before Lent.  And second, it is a movable fiesta that goes from village section to village section and culminates after five days with a grand gathering at the municipal center.
We caught the action on the second day so, Segunda Seccion, here we come.  As in all things in the village there is an over arching sense of formality and tradition... no matter how much mezcal gets imbibed.  There is music and food and dancing, all following a pre-described order.  We got there early and left before lots of the action, but will be back on Friday to catch the final celebration.
The stars of the show are los viejitos, who are absolutely hilarious... purely in Zapoteco... but one still finds oneself laughing along with everyone else.
They do their dance and lead the band to the house where everyone is waiting.
There is much merriment and then a meal.  Delicious mole rojo.  No knives or forks or spoons, only tortillas.  No, no chopsticks either.
And then more dancing.... which I hope to catch on Friday.  Today it is section three's turn, different house, different viejitos, then, on to four and finally section five.  Then recovery...

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