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

Friday, August 25, 2017

Musicians for a funeral.....

While at the market in Etla, I heard music, a band playing sonorous music.  It was a funeral just across the street.  The musicians were quite good and they played wonderfully.  I love the looks on their faces, so serious and heart-felt.
The atmosphere was not somber, but respectful.  The hearse was waiting to receive the casket, then to process through the streets followed by all the people at the service. 
Life and death so closely wedded here in this culture. Powerful and healthy.
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2 comments:

The Observer said...

I think of Etla as a valley north west of Ciudad Oaxaca...San Augustine Elta, etc. My tamale lady says she is from "Etla" and when I ask her to be more specific, she simply repeats: Etla, Etla. Where exactly is the Etla to which you refer?

August 26, 2017 at 10:16 AM
Christopher Stowens said...

There are lots of Etlas, but la Villa de Etla is the main one. So I think she is probably referring to it. It's the largest and the one with the market I always go to.

August 26, 2017 at 10:21 AM

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