Sylvia's Journal

During the 7 hour (day) flight to Boston I passed the time doing one electronic jigsaw puzzle with 1024 pieces. It takes me about 8 hours to do such a puzzle. I can do the puzzle while also watching things on the screen in front of me if the audio is more compelling than the visuals. 

I stopped watching movies as they are either violent or stupid. Of course, I cannot entirely escape the violence as it is flickering on countless screens within my field of vision. I watch documentaries, about anything. 

I had four to choose from and watched them all: one about blockchains and how they make those in control of money flows nervous, but also how UNICEF and WFP are using blockchains to help refugees and displaced persons. I still don’t really understand the whole idea of blockchains and crypto currencies but was happy to see examples of how they are being used for good. Then I watched a documentary about whiskey (‘Scotch’). I learned that there are 50 year old whiskeys sold in handblown bottles for 10,000 pounds or more. It must be the Crazy Rich Asians that buy these things. I thought paying 80 dollars for a bottle of whiskey at the Edinburgh airport tax free shop was ridiculous.

Then I watched a wonderful documentary about the late Toni Morrison which made me want to read all of her books; and finally, the best of all the documentaries (and one I could give full attention to because my puzzle was done), was about Luciano Pavarotti.

With operas in my head I landed in Boston. Axel picked me up and we headed to the new Whole Foods Market in Beverly. The contrast with Niger was rather stark: abundance versus the basics – the check-out bill was too. Back home it was Axel who took a nap while I unpacked and did the laundry.

The Pavarotti music (La Boheme) still lodged in my brain, my eye was directed to an ad for a concert that same very night (and only that night) in Newburyport with a professional vocal ensemble (Skylark) that would be performing Rachmaninoff’s Vespers. October 25 thus became a very long day, as we went to this extraordinary performance. I wouldn’t have missed it for the world.