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, July 19, 2015

Face of a goddess

 
Other places may have queens, but here in Oaxaca, they have goddesses.
The annual competition to select the person who will lead all the guelaguetza activities took place last Thursday and Friday.  Normally, I can't get near the place, the Alameda, because of the crowds, but this year, lucked out and timed it perfectly as the goddesses were lining up to begin the final round.
The place was packed.
Each makes a presentation, declaims about her region.
She may talk about indigenous traditions, history, language, music, agriculture, but whatever the subject it is delivered with remarkable presence and clarity.
Declamation is an art here and kids start it at a very early age.... and it shows.  These women are vibrant, strong and proud.  I should be able to identify each by their clothing, but...  for now....  each is distinctive and unique to her region and all are beautifully oaxaqueña.
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