We went to theNigel Kennedy Concert in Munich, and Nigel did not disappoint. He was funny, and his British humor went over well, especially with the German crowd. There was a small orchestra playing with him, only strings and woodwinds, and a harpsichord like from Bach’s time. It was very well received.
(Might I add, Nigel is still performing, and noted as a the best-selling classical violinist of all time. And he recently pulled out of a concert performance as the promoter wanted him to perform Vivaldi Four Season’s and Nigel wanted to play a Jimmy Hendrix piece, which I think is very cool.) I have vivid good memories of the Nigel Kennedy Concert in Munich in Winter 1999.
At the end, Nigel had a black guy (the only one in the house) come play guitar and sing with him, as Nigel rapidly fiddled and walked around the crowd. He had a standing ovation. And for some people who walked in late, he played the first movement again—only speeded up. Pretty funny.
We were at Laimer’s a corner bar, until late after the concert. Like everything in Germany, the building has a history, this one, going back to 1898. Incidentally, Laimer’s used to be a hospital during World War II. Saturday after the late night out, I slept in until 10:30. About 13:00 I finally made my way to town. Michael meanwhile was relentlessly washing the Öbst (fruit) and Gemüse (veggies) for Thai Essen (Thai food) that he was making for our dinner. He needed all day to prepare for this, so I went to a museum.
I tried to go to the Bavarian National Museum, but rather ended up at the Folk Art Museum. Have not seen some of those things before: Costumes from Peru 🇵🇪 made of feathers from the rainforest birds. Pretty, bright colors. A giant golden Buddha statue with Asian music playing, like a temple. Not to mention the box full of arms from Peruvian mummies.
*** I think I could use a good massage right now. I’m feeling tension in my bones.
Thai Food Home Made
Needless to say, war das Essen ganz gut, das der Michael gemacht hat (the Thai food that Michael made was totally delicious). We all thoroughly enjoyed it. From the cashews und (and) Sekt in special gold glasses; to the Tom Yom Gai national lemongrass flavored soup of Thailand; to the sticky rice and chicken with curry sauce, coconut milk, peas, and Thai eggplant 🍆; even to the beef, red pepper entrée. Very, very tender meats. Melt-in-your-mouth good!
Then we brought in the wine from outside the kitchen window, still chilling in the snow. We also had plum brandy, espresso and chocolate, and mango pineapple coconut for dessert. Michael’s sister Angela was especially nice and friendly. He’s the closest with her. We spoke almost the whole time. My German was surprisingly well received and could understand her good. Dieter, her husband was funny and speaks some English too. Me, only Duetsch (German). Except with Michael, Dagi, and Luise.
After they left at 1:15 A.M. we did the dishes and finished drinking the Sekt. Michael explained my dilemma about having too much stuff to carry to Slovakia. And I re-realized that I have three times too much stuff. It won’t even all fit in my two original bags now. Don’t know how or why (yes I do) I got it here.
This is an excerpt from my Kosice Journal, documenting my exodus from a (relatively happy) bustling life in beautiful San Diego, to (voluntarily) take a post teaching English in the newly independent eastern capital of Slovakia 🇸🇰 during a very cold winter 1999.
