The two images above capture my love of Mexico, my long, long relationship with Mexico and the concept that threads can connect people over decades. What energy maintained the connection? A photograph. Familial “bonds.” Weird similarities. Bruno’s father was born in 1900 and had his son when he was in his 50’s. My father, born in 1902, had me when he was 56.
Don Bruno sold sarape’s at the VIlla Vera during the winter months and often brought his son Bruno. Isila, Isido, Papa and I drove to visit his family when I was 16ish. It was a long drive.
I reconnected with Bruno in 2019 when he responded to a letter I wrote, delivered by a distant cousin who was manning the cooperative in Aspen at the top of the Bells. Bob and I were riding bikes up and I stopped when I saw what looked like traidtional sarape’s blowing in thhe wind from the porch of a store at the top of the Bells.
Bruno’s Daughter lisabet and I via whatsapp coordinated meeting in Teotitlan once I arrived in Oaxaca. Once confirmed, Bruno and his second wife, Gina took the bus from San Jose de Chiltepec, Oaxaca.
Don Bruno was a cantor at the Preciosa Sangre de Cristo Church in Teotitlan del Valle singing parts of the mass in Latin. On this Sunday every alter was full of Lily’s because each alter has a committee that is in charge of it. Bruno and Gina sit in front of one of its 20+ alters.
Rosita, Bruno’s Sister in Law from his first marriage, has worked as a tour guide so she was able to share the rich history and current goings on in Teotitlan. Her daughter name, Donaje means beautiful soul in Zapotec.
As I looked around the magnificent church I thought of the pieces that Manual Parra must have brought from similar churches to the Casa Lisa. Manual introduced Don Bruno to CWR. Here Donaje stands in front of the patron saint of Oaxaca. The wax flowers, made by the alters committee, decorate every candle and every candle is lit during Sunday Mass.
THE LUNCH & DANCE – Mezcal and Mole
Mexcal to begin, Cari had 4 and made best friends with Donaje. Rosita Jimenez (Bruno’s Sister in Law) and daughters Beti and Jisela prepared beautiful Mole, that Gina had made and brought from Chiltepec. The lunch was beautiful. The family, husbands and children of daughters were there.
Bruno is a Whewete or a holder of the customs and rituals of the community. He led a dance after lunch that Rosite explained is livelier than the the more rural dances but less expressive than those villages on the coast. Cari taught them “the bump”.
We ALL danced
Corey who took this picture, was perhaps the most amazed by the festivities. Missing is a picture of the blue pick up truck in which Cathy and I sat in front with Higinio, Rosita’s husband and everyone else in back upon chairs perched on the bed of the pick-up. Corey and Cari rode Bikes.
lisarenstrom 