_ after getting caught on highway 5 (of course) we swung into la and spent some time with our new friend riccardo at mariachi plaza in boyle heights, la.
_ he and all the other mariachis were getting ready to go to their jobs that night. if they hadn't been booked they were hanging around, waiting for a temporary gig playing at a restaurant or a private party.
_ ricardo, luckily, was playing at a restaurant that night.
_ he had a wife and kids to support, and we talked about the life of an artist, whether they're a musician, a writer, or (he said) a photographer. if you do what you love for a living, we agreed, be careful. you don't want it to turn into a 'job'.
_ since the 30's mariachis have congregated outside the hotel on the plaza, but not until 2007 did the city of los angeles commemorate the area by clasifying it as a historical landmark.
_ and here they are...
_ planning a hit.
_ we waited a while for them to break into song, but they were all business. they were playing later; right now was their silent time.