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

Tuesday, May 26, 2020

Say cheese - Doña Vicky

How people are dealing with the pandemic is quite different between the city and the villages.  Closings, cancellations and masks have been the norm in the city, for the most part, for weeks.  However, out where I live to the north of the city, folks are just starting to wear masks, but only about half of the people.  Many businesses are open, like lots.  Fortunately, the market in Etla is still open,  although access is restricted.  For me, it makes sense to run in and get everything fresh and of excellent quality.  In and out in minutes,  No meat shortage here!
Plus, how could I live without Doña Vicky and her fabulous and famous quesillo, salsas, moles, and everything vital to staying happy at home.

Monday, May 18, 2020

Room with a view....

This house has a wonderful sun room with windows that sweep 180° west to north.  It's part of a guest suite, but with no guests, I've been spending more time in there, just to watch the world go by.  And with all the sounds coming in from near and far, it is always interesting, calming.  Time passes. Hey, whadya know?  Is that a ray of hope?

Tuesday, May 12, 2020

At last...

Five days without phone/internet after getting blessed by Cocijo, the Zapotec god of rain, thunder, and lightning, everything is back to normal.  He knocked out everyone around me with one intense rayo, strike.  It sure made me appreciate and respect him all the more.  And thanks, also, for the hurricane force winds and torrential rains which have filled my cistern... and the double arcoiris.

Wednesday, May 6, 2020

Music in the air...

The bugs are back!  The air is filled with the most wonderful and ethereal sounds, free music.  They are cigarras or chicharas and must be in the cicada family and right now I am completely surrounded by their loud and insistent singing.  It sometimes gets so loud, I break out laughing. 
I think this is a female, because she did not sing and I waited and waited... Only the males singand do so  by vibrating plates, or tymbals, located on either side of their abdomens.  Crazy, huh?  Something to do with sex, I think ;-)  And they hide quite well..
Listen for yourself: