San Miguel de Allende, Mexico
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The Circus
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This is turning into the bipolar week, photographically. I am either
elated or dejected, with not a lot of middle. I’ve been even more whiny than usual,
at the heat and the bright sun, at the mild tourista that keeps me on the lookout for the
nearest baños. I whine about the inhospitable culture in this too-touristed town that
makes photography more difficult than usual. At my inability to find a "place"
here, someplace where I feel comfortable and where my photography can happen. But then, the clouds move in and the colors come alive. Without the sun it is actually comfortable to walk. Evening comes (instantly, as it does so far south), and there are circus performers in the main square. Lithe women in leotards perform aerial acrobatics, on ropes under a tripod of poles, and prance about the square. A ring of photographers shields the performers from the audience. I go in close, wanting to erase the barrier between observer and observed. There is a shot coming together that I work on until the light vanishes completely—kid in facepaint and twirly things, centered and close, women dancing to side, tripod and aerialists to left, silhouette of church against sky. It is the most alive, photographically, I have felt all week. This is a local troupe, ex-pat Canadians mostly, and they’re delighted that I’m going to send them photos. At the restaurant two women, locals, motion me over. "We saw how you were dancing with the performers in the square. It was wonderful to see that, your energy and willingness to be in there. You weren’t holding back." |
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