the wrap up weekend
february 26, 2011
Salaam Dear Ones,
All good things come to an end, and I must say, I'm going out with a bang. This weekend is jam packed. The tekke is bustling. Faize and Paul are here from Switzerland. Julia's here from Koeln. Let's see....so far this weekend there was a marvelous dinner party at Krysia's. A super check-in. A major seva blast. (I chainsawed wood with BoBo for about three hours...so glad I washed my hair before). Then dinner at a Sicilian joint where the owner looked totally mafuch...bald head, gold chains, complete with raspy vodka voice. Today we're going to brunch at Britte's. Britte Brunch...say that three times real fast. Britte Brunch. Britte Brunch. Britte Brunch. And this evening I'm attending a concert for people who work at Christopherhus (Gottesegen bakery is one of their work places). As a Christmas gift to their employees (and I'm considered an employee at the moment - YAY), they've organized a party for a few hundred with a band called "Just Fun." I'm told it's a big band and two of its members are differently abled. Some kid with Down's Syndrome is the hip hop front man. Is that wild or what?
It's all happening, back to back, wall to wall, and in the midst of all this, I need to prepare for my last day at work tomorrow. I'm baking the boys an apple pie and making them a little recipe book of American treats as a keepsake. Although I'd love to stay and I'm ridiculously comfy here, I know it's time to go. I've taken in about as much information as I can hold, and now I just need to go home and do it.
So, my loves, I shall be returning Thursday. Get ready. Smile.
I haven't told you yet about the Mark Gillespie concert Aenni, Julia and I went to in Bonn on Wednesday night. You may know his music. Aenni and Wahid stumbled upon him playing on the streets of Dortmund some years ago and turned us all onto him. Well, he's phenomenal! He's the real deal...great musician, great vocalist, great lyrics, great stage presence. He has it all. Plus his German is amazing. I think it's the best German from a foreigner that I've ever heard. He played this really small club in a cool old part of town, accompanied by the sweetest guy on flute who also sang background vocals. If you don't know his music, check him out. In one song he sang, "I want to be a woman." Very cool. Aenni struck up a conversation with Tom, the flutist, who was selling cd's, and she invited him to play the Longbranch, so keep your fingers crossed. It's a long shot, but you never know.
The Germans are an interesting bunch to watch at concerts. They hardly move. God forbid someone should dance. A little swaying if you're really getting out there. Whoa! Reel it back in! Don't sway too much. Careful now. But they're good clappers, and they love to clap in unison, especially right at the end of the concert. They really bring down the house clapping, but for God's sake, don't move. I find these cultural differences fascinating.
I have to get ready for morning program now. This getting up at 4am has its advantages. What a nice time to write. I hope I can keep this going when I get back to the States. It makes me extraordinarily happy to compose my words as the world sleeps. There's something precious about the hour and the act. I hope you have enjoyed my little missives.
Love you all so much,
fattie
All good things come to an end, and I must say, I'm going out with a bang. This weekend is jam packed. The tekke is bustling. Faize and Paul are here from Switzerland. Julia's here from Koeln. Let's see....so far this weekend there was a marvelous dinner party at Krysia's. A super check-in. A major seva blast. (I chainsawed wood with BoBo for about three hours...so glad I washed my hair before). Then dinner at a Sicilian joint where the owner looked totally mafuch...bald head, gold chains, complete with raspy vodka voice. Today we're going to brunch at Britte's. Britte Brunch...say that three times real fast. Britte Brunch. Britte Brunch. Britte Brunch. And this evening I'm attending a concert for people who work at Christopherhus (Gottesegen bakery is one of their work places). As a Christmas gift to their employees (and I'm considered an employee at the moment - YAY), they've organized a party for a few hundred with a band called "Just Fun." I'm told it's a big band and two of its members are differently abled. Some kid with Down's Syndrome is the hip hop front man. Is that wild or what?
It's all happening, back to back, wall to wall, and in the midst of all this, I need to prepare for my last day at work tomorrow. I'm baking the boys an apple pie and making them a little recipe book of American treats as a keepsake. Although I'd love to stay and I'm ridiculously comfy here, I know it's time to go. I've taken in about as much information as I can hold, and now I just need to go home and do it.
So, my loves, I shall be returning Thursday. Get ready. Smile.
I haven't told you yet about the Mark Gillespie concert Aenni, Julia and I went to in Bonn on Wednesday night. You may know his music. Aenni and Wahid stumbled upon him playing on the streets of Dortmund some years ago and turned us all onto him. Well, he's phenomenal! He's the real deal...great musician, great vocalist, great lyrics, great stage presence. He has it all. Plus his German is amazing. I think it's the best German from a foreigner that I've ever heard. He played this really small club in a cool old part of town, accompanied by the sweetest guy on flute who also sang background vocals. If you don't know his music, check him out. In one song he sang, "I want to be a woman." Very cool. Aenni struck up a conversation with Tom, the flutist, who was selling cd's, and she invited him to play the Longbranch, so keep your fingers crossed. It's a long shot, but you never know.
The Germans are an interesting bunch to watch at concerts. They hardly move. God forbid someone should dance. A little swaying if you're really getting out there. Whoa! Reel it back in! Don't sway too much. Careful now. But they're good clappers, and they love to clap in unison, especially right at the end of the concert. They really bring down the house clapping, but for God's sake, don't move. I find these cultural differences fascinating.
I have to get ready for morning program now. This getting up at 4am has its advantages. What a nice time to write. I hope I can keep this going when I get back to the States. It makes me extraordinarily happy to compose my words as the world sleeps. There's something precious about the hour and the act. I hope you have enjoyed my little missives.
Love you all so much,
fattie