Favorite musical moments of mine:
Tamtams: Sitting upon a stone wall speaking with an old dreadlocked follower of Krishna as Dan danced wildly to the music of the earth beating from the many drums.
The Lady in Satin: As she crooned majestically and confidently the melodies of the 50-years-dead Billie Holiday, I felt myself melting in the bliss of the moment.
La Fanfare du Belgistan: The boisterous melding of Balkan and Middle Eastern brass and percussion elevated us all--balding white-haired men, graceful women, little boys--to an uninhibited free dance.
Nikki Yakofsky: Just as she stepped out for the encore, the sky exploded with a fierce, violent downpour. Umbrellas flew up from the front to the back, and as I listened, the 15-year-old Ella Fitzgerald broke out with a simple "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" dedicated to her late father. I stepped forward, wading through the sea of umbrellas--plaids, patterns, polka dots--watching the dear ones cling to each other tightly under their private shelter, watching the uncaring ones dance jovially as onlookers chuckled. "Someday I'll wish upon a star and wake up where the clouds are far behind me...." I wandered forward, sopping, at peace with the world. Kind souls smiled pityingly as I walked by. I saw a woman, standing alone in her raincoat, mouthing the words with her eyes closed. "Birds fly over the rainbow. Why then, oh, why can't I?"
This city now holds many warm memories for us, and it will be sad to move away. But we both have been infused with a strong desire to return someday, perhaps to study French (or teach English). Ah! Who can know what joys and surprises the future has in store?
In the meantime we journey onward to Quebec City (probably a journey of two days), where we will wander for a day or so. Then we will finally begin our southward trek back into the United States and along the east coast to whatever adventure awaits us after we get off our bicycles. But we still have at least two weeks left!
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