Nightfall brings out spirits, ghosts and legends.
Lights sparkle in the evening darkness. Pungent smells float with the shifting breeze.
Music rises up from the homes and neighborhoods. Birds sing under star filled
skies. Dogs bark and cars pass by. Footsteps on cobblestone and smoke from
fireplaces create mystic.
Anders arrived his on first visit to Álamos at 4 A.M. after an 18 hour drive
from Tijuana. Coming into town at night accented the fact he had arrived
in a place where time stood still and discovery awaits. Seeing the
town in morning light did not diminish his first impression.
Children of all ages play late into the night on the quiet streets.
Dogs and cats lay together by front doors. Night time is not threatening,
it is a celebration of another day both coming and going.
Music concerts happen on a public and private level. Guitars and singing
takes place all over Álamos. Singing and dancing are part of the
passion for life that begins as little children and continues
throughout life. It is felt with every step and heartbeat.
It is a wonderful feeling to sit in the plaza on a pleasant evening
with a friend. Here, one can watch the people come and go. The church
draws people throughout the day and into the evening.
It is a joy to listen to the church choirs practice.
The Estudiantina de Álamos are a group of young men learning music and
performance styles from the days of old. The Museo de Costumbrista
de Sonora coordinates their training and busy schedules. They are
bring a pride and joy wherever they go.
The thick walls help keep out the cold and heat and hold in the spirits
of anyone who has walked inside. If there is a place where past, present
and future come together it is inside the walls of Álamos. These photos
are slices, literally. from a portfolio of 100 Álamos night scenes by
Anders Tomlinson. Some day Álamos may be able to look at them on
exhibit or projected at night.
Imagine the horse drawn carriages, the burro pack trains, and cars that
have come into Álamos along these streets. Imagine the families that
have been here for centuries. Imagine the change of government,
some peaceful some violent. It is all here in the shadows of night.
Summer nights find townsfolk outdoors in the cooling air. The sky can
light up with a roll of distant thunder. If it begins to rain people
stay under the sky and embrace the blessed moisture. Listen to the
crickets. Listen to your heart.
Night time is magical. The town seems smaller. The world becomes all
you can see looking down a street. It is easy to focus on the smallest
thing. And behind the walls there is another world. Private legacies.
Conversations. Comforts. Learnings. Entertainments. Deliberations. Dreams…
The Place to Be and Be Seen
It is a wonderful feeling to sit with a friend in the plaza on a pleasant
evening. Here, one can watch people come, be and go. This is the a place
to be seen and see. When all have come and gone it becomes a romantic refuge
for a young couple.
Imagine horse drawn carriages, burro pack trains, and cars
that have come into Álamos along these streets. Imagine the families that have
been here for centuries. Imagine the change of government, some peaceful some
violent. It is all here in the shadows of night. Photos and editing by Anders
Tomlinson. Music from “Camino Songs” by SonicAtomics.
It is In The Night That the Past Dances Down Narrow Streets
Oh little town of Álamos. Lights sparkle in the evening darkness. Pungent
smells float with the shifting breeze. Music, live and recorded, rises up
from the homes and neighborhoods. Birds sing under star filled skies.
Dogs bark and cars pass by. Footsteps on cobblestone and smoke from fireplaces
create mystic moments. Children of all ages play late into the night on the
quiet streets. Night time is not threatening, it is a celebration of another
day both coming and going. Night time is magical. The town seems smaller.
The world becomes all you can see looking down a street. It is easy to focus
on the smallest thing. And behind the walls there are other worlds: private
legacies, conversations., comforts, learnings, entertainments, deliberations,
dreams.
Photos and editing by Anders Tomlinson.
Music from “Camino Songs” by SonicAtomics.
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©2010 -2017 Anders Tomlinson, all rights reserved.