A Musical Sunday Afternoon in Bernal, Mexico

As we were strolling across the plaza in Bernal, the small town in central Mexico where we are living, early this afternoon, the sound of an Andean flute was nearby. Under one of the trees, in deep shade, we saw that a three-person musical group had set up and was playing. We chose a spot in the shade of a nearby building -- it's in the upper 80s at midday, but not unpleasant as it's quite dry -- and stood and listened.


"The flutist is very good," said Kelly, himself a saxophonist. Many people were enjoying the music.


I was transported. There is something about Andean music that really speaks to me. We used to speculate when we raised llamas that maybe we'd had past lives with llamas in the Andes, and hearing the music has a similar effect on me.

I was glad I was wearing sunglasses, as inexplicably my eyes were filling with tears. The music just went through me.

After a while, I went closer to watch the flutist and I bought one of the group's CDs. Their name is "Bronce Latino" and they are Mexicans who have learned the music in South America. They are based in Mexico City. From what they said, they have played in Bernal before.

Eventually we went on about our business, and when we got home, I went upstairs to our office to catch up on some email. The group was still playing, the sweet notes wafting into the room. Later, Kelly went back down with the camera. I was as happy to listen from here.

He wandered around the little downtown area a while:


Don Quixote in front of a store


We've been meaning to eat at this little place, set up right in the street every weekend.


The dog was steadily growling at Kelly.