I may have already mentioned that I never took out my video camera the entire time I was in Mexico recently. It's true. And I'm glad of it. Just didn't feel the need or desire. But fortunately, when I was out and about, and did feel the need, I had my trusty iphone at the ready.
These are some clips shot on the iphone. (I’m pausing here at the keyboard. What is there to say?) The time just flew by, three and a half weeks. Twenty-four days. I still find it odd that it even happened. My hunch is that this has something to do with simply being while I was there. That’s what I was getting at when I turned the camera on myself in the main jardin in El Centro, in front of the glorious La Parraquoia of San Miguel de Allende. I began my extemporaneous monologue with a typical “Wow, isn’t this amazing!?” salvo. But I stopped, paused. What I was saying didn’t feel honest or true to my actual experience. Did you pick up on that when you were watching?
Let me explain. Sure, it’s wonderful to be in Mexico, miles from Evanston, Illinois. Yes, surrounded by many unfamiliar sights and sounds can be intoxicating. The word exotic could even apply. And, at the same time, what I appreciate even more is how at home I felt in those days south of the border. Within my own skin. Not because there’s something magical or special about Mexico specifically. But because there is something ineffable about being in the Here and Now. Wherever that is. (What does “ineffable” mean? I better look it up.)
“Too great or extreme to be expressed or described in words; unutterable.”
Yeah, that’s what I was going for.
Originally, I brought the video camera with an expectation of capturing my reflections, monologues, deep thoughts! I wasn’t really feeling it when I packed, but I thought, hey, just in case, it’ll be nice to have as an option. The option never materialized. Except for a few moments along the way. Thank goodness the iphone can shoot a decent short video.
And because I didn’t want to burden my phone with large chunks of data, I purposely kept my video snippets short. I ended up shooting around 40 clips! Barking dogs are perfect for short videos. You don’t leave barking dogs on “the cutting room floor.”
I took a ton of still shots too. Remember my walk through the neighborhood, when I made mention of a soccer field? Here’s a better look.
I mentioned dogs. But chickens were prominent as well. These creatures heralded a favored pollo asada joint on the west side of town, across the street from La Comer, the big supermarket.
Speaking of ineffable, I caught a glimpse of this Holy Figure in a wood-working shop on my way to Spanish class, only minutes by foot from the spontaneous street market and aforementioned soccer field. (My high-angle vantage point was due to the pedestrian bridge Google maps directed me to.)
I’ll finish with a shot that, of course, leaves me tongue-tied.
Avoiding a Busman's Holiday (Or Did I?)