Southern Dispatch

kindly forgive the hiatus. the last couple of weeks have been a bit crazy, as many of you know. the last 3 or 4 months, in fact, have brought on more major changes in my life than i ever anticipated when i decided to move to mexico. suffice to say this most recent decision was easily the most difficult (and painful) i’ve ever made. i don’t mind talking to people on an individual basis about it but i’m going to stop short of going into further detail here, as this isn’t the place. for now, i’m focusing on settling into this new role and concentrating on writing. if you know me then you know i tend to embrace change, but i’ve had about as much change as i can handle right now.

san cristobal continues to impress. my dad was here last week and i think he understands why i like the town so much. we went to the crazy church in nearby san juan chamula and walked through tens of thousands of burning candles as worshippers all around us chanted, drank cola to inducing belching (thus releasing evil spirits), and sacrificed chickens. we ate at some great restaurants, explored the markets, spent some time at na bolom, and did a lot of walking. it was nice to have him here.

i’ve successfully wormed my way into a local (english-language) writers’ group, and from what little i know it sounds promising. i was warned that it had morphed into a sort of joy luck club, sans chinese people, but being a minority has its upsides. i was inducted for the first time last week and, sure, maybe it’s a bit heavy on the estrogen, but i figure inclusion of an XY-chromosomer can’t be all bad. at any rate, it’s both inspiring and intimidating to read the work of other writers down here.

apparently (ironically?) there is a traveling circus in town this week. i’m bent on going but haven’t been able to pin down any details yet. i’m told they paraded wild animals (tigers, etc.) through the streets when it arrived, accompanied by blasting dance music. i’m sure it will be somewhat disturbing, but i don’t think i can pass it up. i’m hoping there will be a real live bearded lady.

the other night – this will be a shocker – a huge concert was held at the church near my house. my dad and i had been there 24 hours before and nothing had been set up. it being a sunday night, one would think people would be resting and taking it easy before the new week started. not so much. coletos, or people from san cristobal, are a lively bunch.