Bagman and Butler are both on vacation this week. Bagman is in Jamaica raising cain. Butler is in New York visiting Wall Street. So bear with me since I'm just my regular boring self without their assistance.
CINCO DE MAYO (Feel free to skip down to Mother's Day at the end)
Detail of Cinco de Mayo painting in Oaxaca Governor's Office
I beg fogiveness this week for relying on archives and for the quality of pictures. But the topic took me back to 2003 when I was fortunate enough to be part of a 3-week governmental exchange between South Carolina and two Mexican States - Oaxaca and Veracruz. We had meetings in both countries to explore positive ways of dealing with immigration. Oaxaca and Veracruz are the primary "feeder" states for the majority of South Carolina's immigrants.
My boss at the time, meeting with school children in Tututla
Pardon the photo quality because at the time I only carried a small video camera with a button for capturing digital stills.
Macedonio - manager of social services in Oaxaca
Wonderful man -- turned out he was a recovering alcoholic like myself
Publilc health office
Library in a small Indian village
Many villages were almost empty of men -- mostly women and children. I realized for the first time that many immigrants come to the US to work and send money back to their villages -- a strong family and community bond.
When these guys first started following us, I was concerned. But it turned out that we were being treated as royalty and they were our bodyguards.
You can never find a good electrician when you need one.
Early morning street
Changes to a bustling marketplace by noon
Mayan pride
Conchita - University professor who worked with women in prison
Indian potter
Not actually "Day of the Dead" but a town of the dead.
Elaine and Michael, USC Professors who organized the trip
and became two of my lifelong friends.
Okay. If Bagman were here he would be telling me that this is going on too long. So I'll resist continuing my nostalgic walk through a great experience and move on...
HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY TO:
Conner's mother
who is also Noah's mother
Brian's mother...
who is also Conner's (and Noah's) grandmother
And my mother
AND HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY TO ALL OF YOU!
Wonderful shootout, Mark! I especially appreciated your Mexico photos. People sometimes seem more real in that sort of casual, low-tech photography. You can trust the photographer lived the scene, rather than setting it up. Though your mom shots are great too.
ReplyDeleteI did indeed enjoy the post. I spent some time in Belize, not as a tourist and came home so much more humble and determined to slow my pace of life down. It has worked. You did okay without B&B. It has gotten so every time I come to your FSO I have to take a good look at your header. You crafty devil.
ReplyDeleteQMM
Very enjoyable post Mark.
ReplyDeleteI've never heard of this festival before, thanks for sharing your beautiful photos with me. You always amazed me with your witty and interesting entry.
ReplyDeleteI never heard of Cinco de Mayo before either. Interesting tour, thanks.
ReplyDeletewho's the cute boy with your mum? Great job, I posted my mom too. Just one photo, so you guys see just her.
ReplyDeleteyou have several photos in you Mexico visit the really define Motherhood. I enjoyed those as much as your family photos. Isn't it interesting that we miss Bagman and Butler is more in the background. HUMMM. have a great week.
ReplyDeleteOh i thought this was a wonderful shoot out! I loved all your photos!
ReplyDeleteawesome photos as always! And love love love the picof you and your Mom at the end. so sweet!!
ReplyDeleteHappy to see you are operating well without B or B! Wonderful pictures. I agree with Dawn, the one of your Mom is sweet. Have a fun weekend.
ReplyDeleteOops, almost missed the El Bagman retitle. Very clever. I posted a new blog (whew, that feels better!).
ReplyDeleteYour header is getting to be a weekly feature of FSO for me. Poor B & B, their absence wasn't even noticed.
ReplyDeleteEnjoyed the trip to Mexico but my favourite shots are the last two.
That was so fun to read! I can see you enjoyed your work in Mexico. And your pictures are great too. Looks like you didn't forget any of the mothers in your life...and that's a very good thing!
ReplyDeleteMy favorite photo is the one of the library - they're such a precious resource and it really doesn't matter how small they are, they're a beacon. Cheers, Mark!
ReplyDeleteRemarkable post, love it! Thanks for the visit!
ReplyDeleteMother
I really enjoyed the commentary and photos from Mexico. how exciting to be a part of that. love the last shot of you and your Mom, love her swimsuit also!
ReplyDeleteThank you for the good writeup. It in fact was a amusement account
ReplyDeleteit. Look advanced to far added agreeable from you! By the way, how could we communicate?
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