I'm in sunny San Miguel de Allende writing this column. A cool spell has
moved in, and we are enjoying perfect weather. Each member of this group of
14 road warriors adds a new sound to the symphony that we create each day, a
creation of sound and rhythm.

Misty and Kara rhyme as we go, and Jeff explores new ideas for business.
David keeps us alert with his questons and comments, while Rufus reminds us
to honor the mystery. Woody smiles, holding us long in his gaze, and Martha
recreates her own life. Katy blossoms like the bright flowers all around us,
her smile warming all, and Leslie keeps creating new stories to tell. Her
mom was with us for a week, adding a new set of eyes to our creation.

Rebecca finds new poetry in her camera while Julie heals us with her
laughter. No le importa a Jesus! Dee points out design and symbol, wearing
her new shawl from Patzcuaro, and Melissa calls home and cries, missing her
family. Her tears, like mine, mix both joy and sorrow at the same time. We
all play a unique instrument in this concert in Em, and a new song is born
is day in Mexico.

We are studying global issues, and the list of guest speakers is long and
distinguished. In fact, we've invited many of our new friends back to
Kerrville. But, I'm supposed to be documenting the music.

We began this journey with a concert in my apartment at number 19 Callejon
de San Antonio with Javier, our favorite Gypsy guitar player. My apartment
in still for rent so we decided to use it for a class meeting. We are
staying at my favorite bed and breakfast at number 18 Hidalgo. Many guests
from Kerrville have stayed here.

Javier's music is all about rhythm, the rhythm of the road. He took off
for Madrid this week. Our road led us to Flamenco dancing at El Rincon with
Sergio and Jorge on guitar. We participated in the weekly literary gathering
on Sunday, the music of words sounding on each ear. Kara and Misty took a
chance and read their lyrical interpretation of a tough bus ride aloud to
this group of San Miguel writers. We all followed the groove.

One slow afternoon in El Jardin, I spotted a familiar face--and that
happens often in El Jardin! Known by some as Aurora, I hugged this Tivy High
School graduate, remembering the drumming and fire dancing I'd seen in
Kerrville. Now here she is in San Miguel, dancing with fire and a few
friends out in the streets, in front of the Parroquia.

The flashing eyes and whirling fire added a new rhythm to this group. Some
of us wanted to head down the road with her. Sometimes known as Jolene, she
came to our casa, and I bought a new ring, handmade in silver in San Miguel.
We speculated, as a group, what it would be like to completely follow your
bliss. Thank your Joseph Campbell.

I saw Miguel Tofas packing up to bring his jewelry to the Kerrville Folk
Festival. Steve Kelso sat in El Jardin, telling me that Bill Taylor had been
counting the day until he left for "Kerrville." That word, in the big world,
becomes synonymous with great music and a great festival. By the time you
are reading this, I'll be home and attending the Kerrville Folk Festival.

After swimming through the narrow passageway in the womb/like cave of La
Gruta, after walking the cobblestone streets on a vision quest, after
spending a sunset moment in the botanical gardens, we not only hear the
music and feel the music, we have begun creating the music of this trip.

Global issues is a big topic, an umbrella that covers many issues. We
watched the video produced by La Jornada on the Zapatista march to Mexico
City last year, a time when indigenous people and their supporters asked for
a voice in congress. Fox said he would listen. The photo exhibit that
accompanied the exhibit was a reminder that all is not well in the world. We
have been faced with many hard questions on this trip. I hear students
saying, "Why are they so poor?" I can't answer.

This trip is an opportunity to explore global issues by heading down the
road ourselves. Each of us have transformed in the experience. This journey,
like all journeys, brings us back to our beginning. And, like T.S.Eliot once
said, "We will end our exploration at the beginning and know the place for
the first time." That taco stand in San Antonio where we picked up our ride
on Transportes de San Miguel has never looked better, and part of my heart
stays with the music in San Miguel de Allende. I do know something for the
first time. Free Leonard and down the road.

Kathleen
kat@maverickbbs.com

www.texasheritagemusic.org

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