A POEM FROM SAN MIGUEL DE ALLENDE

BIRDS IN “EL PARAISO”

A vermilion flycatcher flutters around on the shrubs,

bright red breast, black head,

could not be more beautiful jumping from branch

to branch, hiding in the tall trees in

the distance, coming closer to my window. 

A red slash against the blue sky, impossible not to admire. 

Two grackles walk back and forth across the street,

their long black tails sweeping the cobblestones,

determined and purposeful.  Sometimes

one of them perches himself on the dome

above the house and calls out

to who knows who - a mate? a friend? us?

WRITE BY THE LAKE IN MADISON, WISCONSIN

Last night we had to take shelter in the basement. The tornado sirens went off around midnight; we were all sleeping. I stumbled down the stairs and sat on the sofa in the dark. The two children were sleeping on the floor as if nothing was going on. Marc monitored the situation on his iPad while Christie slept next to the children and David sat down next to me. I wasn't really scared but the sirens kept ringing every few minutes. The whole affair lasted about an hour. After, we all returned to our respective beds.

I've been in Madison since Sunday attending the Write-by-the-Lake retreat at the University of Wisconsin. 

The workshop is proving useful; new ideas are forming during the exercises. The instructor is good and so are the other participants. The weather is very warm, downright hot sometimes, hence the thunderstorms, rain, and even tornado scares.

World Cup fever continues as well. I watched the Argentina vs. Bosnia/Herzegovina game on Sunday and the USA vs. Ghana yesterday. So glad to see so many people following the tournament. 

Tonight they forecast more rain. Not another tornado please!

FAREWELL

Tomorrow morning I fly to Madrid. I'll be there for two days before returning to Chicago.  This Athens stay has been shorter than usual, and for that I am grateful.  It isn't easy for me to stay in the small apartment and not be active with my life but spend the days sitting around with the television on and three women in this small apartment.

I managed to go out and see friends a few times, go to the Benaki Museum once, to a play.  The weather has been ideal - not hot as it is in the heart of the summer.  The elections provided color and excitement for a while.  But not much has changed. At least, that's what the locals say.

Mom is understandably sad that I'm leaving but I know she'll be fine in a day or two. We get used to someone and it's difficult to let go.  She's doing well and for that I'm also grateful.

I plan to return for her birthday in November. 

Next time I write I'll post some photos. 

ELECTIONS AND MORE

Election fever has subsided.  People voted.  Votes were counted.  Some are elated, others not. Life goes on now as before.  I assume.  The results in some countries are not happy ones.  France, Denmark, Austria have elected right-wing, nationalist parties to sit at the European Council.  It does not bode well for the poor, the minorities.  I find it particularly hypocritical when those same Frenchmen, and Danes, and others, criticized, and still do, the United States for example for racist attitudes and behaviors.  Now that the "people of color" have come to their homes, they ain't happy about it.  Anti-immigrat/anti-semitic/anti-African rhetoric and actions bring to light their own racism. 

Last night I had a reunion of sorts - Evelyn, Nadia, and I met for coffee and, later, wine to catch-up, to reminisce, after about 30 years of not being together.  We were all friends in Chicago in the 1970s and 80s.  Then Evelyn moved to Greece, Nadia to California and then Canada.  I've seen each one of them separately but we hadn't been together since the early 80s.  To say it was fun is an understatement.  Between remembering our past adventures and misadventures and bringing each other up-to-date a good time was had by all.  Pictures to follow.

Saturday afternoon I saw Natasha at Monastiraki - a vast street market under the shadow of old buildings.  What a shame!  The riot of t-shirt vendors, jewelry, knick-knacks, restaurants, cafes, with their loud colors ruins the beauty of the ancient and medieval structures behind them.  My eyes are tired of so much gawdy signage, ugly storefronts, chaotic noise, hiding the elegance of the old Greece.  Why do they build unattractive concrete boxes everywhere, crowding streets and alleyways with people, cars, motorcycles?  Even the sky is difficult to appreciate when you look up in the middle of the city.  The only solution?  Get out of Athens.  And many people choose to live outside the city. 

In the evening Mom and I attended a mini-concert at the Syllabi Cafe where the owner - Philipos - sings and plays guitar accompanied by a bouzouki.  It was delightful and intimate - there were less than 15 people.  (The only drawback? Smoke.)

Friday I met Evelyn at Aegli in Zapeion.  Aegli is one of my favorite spots - a large cafe/restaurant in a large park/garden.  It's one of those oases in the middle of the noisy city where you forget the chaos and can enjoy quiet, trees, and open air.

ANOTHER GLANCE AT ATHENS LIFE

It's only been a week since I left Chicago but it feels like I've been gone weeks and weeks.  When we travel time moves slowly because every minute, every hour, is a new experience that takes up more space in our imagination.  One day can be filled with scenery and museums and unusual foods that contrast remarkably with the routine of home where the landscape is the same. 

Today  I went to Kifissia with my cousin and my mother.  Kifissia is a southern suburb filled with huge houses and tall trees.  Once upon a time it was far from the city; Athenians went on excursions or vacations.  Today is just an extension of the city: shops galore, cafes and restaurants, millions of cars, and people living in buildings one on top of another.  There are some oases however in that riot of noise and colors: the bakery/cafe we sat at has a garden in the back in the midst of trees and greenery with the scent of jasmin.  We had scrumptious pies and pastries, drank our Cokes, gloried in the peace of the quiet.

Yesterday I ventured to the Museum Benaki  where I saw the exhibition of Pontian postcards from the 1880s to the 1920s.  Marvelous examples of what postcards used to be and a good lesson from that part of the world and that time in history.  The coffee shop offers a quiet view of Athens from the 3rd floor where I enjoyed a respite again with a cheese pie and a Coke.  (Why do I drink Cokes when I travel?)

For those of you who are not in the news - Europe is gripped in election fever.  This Sunday the entire continent is choosing representatives to the European Council.  Greece also is having mayoral elections.  Athens is awash in marches, demonstrations, flyer-distributing people who engage you in political discussions in a heartbeat.  It is virtually impossible to avoid it. The television is one debate after another.  Mother is tired, missing her soap operas and game shows.

Who will win?  Who will lose?  Sunday will be exciting and probably surprising.

NIGHT LIFE IN ATHENS

It seems that every time I take the trolley to go downtown Athens something (or someone) closes the street.  Today was a political demonstration. What else?

So I joined them.

After all they were carrying red flags.  They couldn't be all that bad.  I took photos and listened to the passionate speeches.  Who are they?  Not anyone you'd know. A new breakout group from the bigger leftist party. Syriza.  A young woman asked me what I think, I said it's exciting. She was skeptical.  Not a fan I guess.

Afterwards I took a taxi and came to the cafe/bar where my cousin djs.  Loud music, loud people, not too bad.  Believe it or not, some of her friends know me already and come and greet me.  Kisses on both cheeks.  What's new?  How is your mom?  They know her too.  We make friends easily I guess.

The beer tastes good right now. And the din fuels my words.  I've been asked to join the group.  I feel like the elder female of the tribe.  After all I'm older than their mothers.  Although I bet I'm a lot cooler than they.  I'm just saying...

ATHENS AGAIN

This time the suitcase arrived with me.  It was raining in Athens yesterday, cool, gray. Today the sun shines again.  It feels like I was just here.  Less than a year ago I spent a month.  This time 10 days.  Too little says mom but she accepts the reality of my life.

Last night we heard the same singer from last year at the garden cafe of the Numismatic Museum - a lovely space filled with greenery.  Mom, cousins and I spent a couple of hours listening and sipping wine.

This morning the traditional visit to the bank.  Never fails. I have to go every time to sign something or take something or just for the clerk to see me.  Mom deposits or withdraws and, in the meantime, I am seen.  I exist.  A somewhat surrealist visit.