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Tlaxiaco is the capital of the High Mixtec region of Oaxaca, in southern Mexico.
It is a city of about 20,000 people, nested high in the mountains.
During a visit to Tlaxiaco in 2003, I learned from my friend José Perez that Lila Downs, the famous singer, was born and raised in Tlaxiaco,
and had lived there most of her early years.
Being a fan of Lila, I decided to present one of my associates with one of her
records, and said to my friend: "Please take me to buy a record of Lila Downs."
He said: "Of course." And we headed toward the center of town.
Once there, José stopped the car at a corner, pointed at a store, and said: "There."
I jumped out of the car and went inside the store, and out again, and told José:
"This is a hardware store!"
He smiled and said: "That is where you will find Lila's records." He jumped out of car,
walked into the store, and showed me a collection of Lila's records on display on one side.
Puzzled, I said: Why is this store selling Lila's records?"
He answered in an explanatory tone: "This is Lila's family's store.
They are her relatives. They sell her records here."
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