The Flag

It is the week before Independence Day.  Each morning in the zocalo, the city holds a large flag-raising ceremony, featuring the 60 members of the police band .  At night, dance bands rule the plaza.

Habits

For anyone seeking improvement in any endeavour, I'd like to recommend the book Atomic Habits, by James Clear.  Its logical reasoning and practical advice, prompted me to change my habits.
The book makes the case that small changes, implemented over a long period, can lead to large transformations, and that habits are the tools to accomplish this task.  The author suggests four rules for forming a habit:
1.  Make it Obvious
2.  Make it Attractive
3.  Make it Easy
4.  Make it Satisfying
The list almost seems trivial, but each rule is followed by research and anecdotes.  Those help clarify the rule, and provide guidance on how to implement it.

After completing this portion of the book, I was enthused, and started using the method.  However, I faced a dilemma.  For years, I have tried to practice the Buddhist concept of  Mindfulness'.  Now, it occured to me that mindfulness and habit are exact opposites.  I wondered whether I have to choose  between the two.  The 'advanced' portion of the book dispelled my concern.  It clarified, that the application of the two concepts are separated by space and time.  Some activities may not be worth the effort of mindfulness (1), and can be safely done as a habit.   In other, more important activities, after a habit forms, it serves as a stepping stone, freeing mental resources for mindful improvements.

I decided to focus on a small number of habits that I would like to promote: Meditation, Music, and Muscle.  Over the last two weeks, I have been consistently meditating morning AND evening, practicing my sax daily, and exercising regularly.

Note :
1.  Buddhists are often instructed to be mindful of trivial activities, such as chewing.  In my unlearned opinion, this is only a training tool.

Around America in 80 Days

Every few Saturdays, Oaxaca's Teatro Macedonia Alcalá, projects a live (via satelite) performance of the New York Metropolitan Opera.  Heard in the splendor of the historic theater, the music is an exciting experience.   We became devout opera fans.  Even while travelling, we try to find the local Met transmissions.
Three years ago, we planned a coast-to-coast drive, aiming to sit in the Met for a real performance.  Life had a different idea, and we had to cancel.  The following year, Adi was weak from the effects of chemotherapy, and could not endure such a task.  A year later, still too weak to drive, we flew from Oaxaca to New York, and enjoyed a wonderful Aida.
This year, Adi challenged herself, 'Will I have the stamina for a transcontinental trip?'
We decided to go, with one condition in mind, 'If in doubt, we head back to Oaxaca.'
Back in California after visiting Korea and Israel, we liberated Dino out of storage, and set out on our adventure.

Driving route summary:
California, Utah, Colorado, Illinois, Massachusetts, Maine, New-York (Too early for the Met season), Tennessee, Louisiana, Texas, Oaxaca.
Trip duration:  80 days.

The Plazas of Potosi

On this trip, we took a different route than our usual migration.  San Luis Potosi was the second location we discovered.  If Monterrey is a sophisticated young woman, San Luis is a conservative lady.  While Monterrey flaunts her skyscrapers, San Luis takes pride in her colonial core.  San Luis' charm, stems largely from its many well tended plazas, where people gather to play or relax.  Connecting the plazas are pleasant pedestrian alleys which we loved to stroll.  As we entered one plaza, we heard loud angry voices emanating from a group of young men.
'Did we walk-in on a gang rumble?'
Perhaps contrary to common sense, we moved closer and saw, surrounded by the group, two fiercely emotional boys, yelling and gesturing at each other.  It took a minute longer to realize that they are engaged in a rap duel.  Each boy, improvised a rhymed response to his opponents taunts.  After a few such exchanges, a whistle blew, the two combatants embraced, and the coach announced the winner.  Cheers by all, then, the next pair came on.
In another square, familiar music.  Five teenage girls, were rehearsing the dance moves of  BTS, Korea's world-famous singing group.  Needless to say that both the girls and Adi were delighted with the encounter.
Like any grand dame, San Luis has a weird side, such as a collection of bronze heads strewn on the sidewalk.  Yet, on our last night, she graciously treated us to a fireworks display.