Final thoughts about the trip. Thanks to Hank's great planning, and Ted's excellent .ground support, it went flawlessly. (They'e not to be blamed for my poor immune system!) I was not as emotionally grabbed by Israel as I thought (in spite of my intellctual protestations) I might be. We did not have a Jewish guide, and that might be at fault, or perhaps it was that, as usual, my brain overrode my heart. Who knows? Jordan I found lovely, and would return to explore more at my leisure, and Egypt too. I would have liked to have made it to Siwa (the oasis where Alexander the Great got his marching orders), seen the Suez Canal, plunged into the markets and the streets of Cairo. I never for a moment felt physically threatened, and such real (as opposed to consumer travel) people as we did manage to talk to seemed friendly, well disposed to us, with a lovely, wry sense of humour.
Ted has signed on for another year in Cairo, so I suppose it's possible, but not really likely, that I would come back. There are just too many things on my increasingly expensive bucket list, and there is nothing like a little illness to remind me that there is no time like the present. I (having already forgotten that excruciating plane trip) am already considering Turkey in October (an Elder Hostel trip perhaps?) and Viet Nam and Cambodia in Februay with Hank and Ted. Hmmm.......
Meanwhile, back in San Francisco on Thursday, April 25, I spent the day marshalling my resurces for yet another plane trip on Friday...
(We did go out to eat with friend Pat at our by now traditional Alamo Square Bistro)
Even before the Middle East trip was planned (and somewhat determinative of its dates), friend Peter and I had planned a trip to the Houston Grand Opera. Neither of us had been, Peter had another "mystery shop" opportunity so I wouldn't go through withdrawal from 5 star hotels - well, it seemed right at the time. The original plan was to stay at a hotel out of the city center and rent a car . When I got sick, however, I emailed Peter; I didn't think I could face driving a strange car in a strange city (at the time, I was barely negotiating my way to the bathroom!), so plans were changed mid-stream. Peter found a hotel in center city - the Four Seasons, as it turns out, not too shabby - no car required. I thought I could live with that, and by the day, I was sure of it.
So off we toddled (by taxi, of course - there are still limits to my energy, of course, and Peter doesn't like schlepping on BART - Bay Area Rapid Transit for the uninitiated - at the best of times) off to the airport for the 4 hour trip to Houston. The trip was at it should be, uneventful, and by evening we were tucked in to the hotel's Italian restaurant (and yes, I was eating, although still not with the appetite I used to have - maybe the loss of appetite is permanent? one can only hope...)
On Saturday, I thought I could manage a museum. so Peter recommended the Menil Collection. A great recomendation it was too - and one that I would never have come to on my own. This is the private collection of John and Dominique Menil, which opened to the public in 1987. Just goes to show to what good oil money can be put! It is a collection basically of modern art, but the collection makes the connection between ancient and indigenous culture, the classial Mediterranean civilizations, the Byzantine empire, and objects from Africa, the Pacific Islands, and even the Pacific North west. (The pieces from Egypt were better displayed - and better signed - than those in Cairo. Mind you, that's a pretty low bar.) Even the old pieces had a "modern" feel, and you could certainly see the collectors' eye. It was the best collection of surrealist art I have ever seen in one place - and not a Salvador Dali in sight! - and I had Peter for my own peersonal tour guide!
(Did I mention that the setting was glorious too?))
There is also the Rothko Chapel, with a suite of paintings commissioned just for that structure, as well as the Broen Obelisk, above, honouring Martin Luther King, a separate bulding with aa Don Flavin installation made from neon lights, and yet another separate building housing a Cy Twombly Collection. All in all, a wonderful find, and worth the trip to Houston in and of itself.
By this time, Peter and I were both ready for a nap, in preparation for the 4 1/2 hour marathon of an opera to come. The hotel had a car to take folks to the opera, so again, very civilized. (A good thing too, as a huge - big enough to cause flash flooding in areas - storm, thunder and lightening and all, had arisien while we slept.)
The Houston Grand Opera has a great reputation - again, no better use for oil money - and although neither Peter nor I liked the "grand" lobby (too much 80's glitz, not enough "grand", the house itself was rather small, and lovely. Peter had, as always, secured great seats, and the opera, well, what can I say, it was really grand. Most of you know that I have developed a passion for Wagner, and Tristan and Isolde is glorious, especially with Isolde played with the infamous Ninna Stemma (in her only North American stop this season) and Tristan played by Canada's best export, Ben Heppner, in fine voice. All in all, one of my top ten opera experiences!
Although it was after 11:30 when we got back to the hotel (the opera started at 6:30!), both Peter and I were wired for sound (so to speak!), and stopped for a drink at the bar before heading off to bed! (And yes, I am drinking again, albeit only a G & T!)
On Sunday morning, we had a lovely breakfast at the hotel (Darn! My appetite is back!), decided against going to the Houston Art Gallery (also well regarded, but hey, enough culture for one weekend1) and went for a leisurely walk around the hotel in the downtown area. I was far more imressed than I expected to be - interesting achitecture, streetscape, and even light rail!
I wouldn't want to live here - the heat and humidity would get me - but I would certainly visit again, should an opera opportunity arise!
Again an uneventful trip home (after the recent 11 1/2 hour marathon, 4 hours seems like a walk in the park), with Hank picking us up at the other end. On Monday, we finished the trip with another tradition - lunch with friend Andy at Henry Hunan's - Andy's son is getting married this weekend (who would have thought we would all get this old!), we had our trip to talk about, the food (we always order the same things, creatures of habit that we all are) was great - a wonderful close for a great trip.
And it was the end. On Tuesday, I was again off to the airport for the final leg, home to Vancouver. Aside from a near miss with the luggage (getting to the airport isn't always helpful - my luggage got on an earlier flight, and I almost missed in the shuffle), I got home just fine. My car started on the first go, the top was down in a trice (it was a lovely day in Vancouver), and several hours later, I was home, having ordered my New York Times for Sunday hHey, first things first!), gone to the butcher, the greengrocer and the supermarket, collected my mail from my neighbor, and poured a glass of wine!
And I was back to work on Wednesday - and, truth be told, glad to be there. It was good to see my colleagues and friends, and to confirm that I have enough work for the summer! Have to pay for all this stuff, don't you know!
Life is now settling back to routine, with dinners, bridge and theater already in the offing. I am feeling much better, although not 100%, and am looking forward to a great, if reasonably quiet, summer. Daily (or almost daily) postings will stop - I'd bore you to death, I am sure. However, by popular demand (hits on my blog have topped 5,200 - who would have thunk?) I will continue to let you know what I am reading, seeing and doing. You guys should keep in touch too - you know where I am, and it would be nice to catch up with you as well.
So, ta ta for now
Ted has signed on for another year in Cairo, so I suppose it's possible, but not really likely, that I would come back. There are just too many things on my increasingly expensive bucket list, and there is nothing like a little illness to remind me that there is no time like the present. I (having already forgotten that excruciating plane trip) am already considering Turkey in October (an Elder Hostel trip perhaps?) and Viet Nam and Cambodia in Februay with Hank and Ted. Hmmm.......
Meanwhile, back in San Francisco on Thursday, April 25, I spent the day marshalling my resurces for yet another plane trip on Friday...
(We did go out to eat with friend Pat at our by now traditional Alamo Square Bistro)
Even before the Middle East trip was planned (and somewhat determinative of its dates), friend Peter and I had planned a trip to the Houston Grand Opera. Neither of us had been, Peter had another "mystery shop" opportunity so I wouldn't go through withdrawal from 5 star hotels - well, it seemed right at the time. The original plan was to stay at a hotel out of the city center and rent a car . When I got sick, however, I emailed Peter; I didn't think I could face driving a strange car in a strange city (at the time, I was barely negotiating my way to the bathroom!), so plans were changed mid-stream. Peter found a hotel in center city - the Four Seasons, as it turns out, not too shabby - no car required. I thought I could live with that, and by the day, I was sure of it.
So off we toddled (by taxi, of course - there are still limits to my energy, of course, and Peter doesn't like schlepping on BART - Bay Area Rapid Transit for the uninitiated - at the best of times) off to the airport for the 4 hour trip to Houston. The trip was at it should be, uneventful, and by evening we were tucked in to the hotel's Italian restaurant (and yes, I was eating, although still not with the appetite I used to have - maybe the loss of appetite is permanent? one can only hope...)
On Saturday, I thought I could manage a museum. so Peter recommended the Menil Collection. A great recomendation it was too - and one that I would never have come to on my own. This is the private collection of John and Dominique Menil, which opened to the public in 1987. Just goes to show to what good oil money can be put! It is a collection basically of modern art, but the collection makes the connection between ancient and indigenous culture, the classial Mediterranean civilizations, the Byzantine empire, and objects from Africa, the Pacific Islands, and even the Pacific North west. (The pieces from Egypt were better displayed - and better signed - than those in Cairo. Mind you, that's a pretty low bar.) Even the old pieces had a "modern" feel, and you could certainly see the collectors' eye. It was the best collection of surrealist art I have ever seen in one place - and not a Salvador Dali in sight! - and I had Peter for my own peersonal tour guide!
(Did I mention that the setting was glorious too?))
There is also the Rothko Chapel, with a suite of paintings commissioned just for that structure, as well as the Broen Obelisk, above, honouring Martin Luther King, a separate bulding with aa Don Flavin installation made from neon lights, and yet another separate building housing a Cy Twombly Collection. All in all, a wonderful find, and worth the trip to Houston in and of itself.
By this time, Peter and I were both ready for a nap, in preparation for the 4 1/2 hour marathon of an opera to come. The hotel had a car to take folks to the opera, so again, very civilized. (A good thing too, as a huge - big enough to cause flash flooding in areas - storm, thunder and lightening and all, had arisien while we slept.)
The Houston Grand Opera has a great reputation - again, no better use for oil money - and although neither Peter nor I liked the "grand" lobby (too much 80's glitz, not enough "grand", the house itself was rather small, and lovely. Peter had, as always, secured great seats, and the opera, well, what can I say, it was really grand. Most of you know that I have developed a passion for Wagner, and Tristan and Isolde is glorious, especially with Isolde played with the infamous Ninna Stemma (in her only North American stop this season) and Tristan played by Canada's best export, Ben Heppner, in fine voice. All in all, one of my top ten opera experiences!
Although it was after 11:30 when we got back to the hotel (the opera started at 6:30!), both Peter and I were wired for sound (so to speak!), and stopped for a drink at the bar before heading off to bed! (And yes, I am drinking again, albeit only a G & T!)
On Sunday morning, we had a lovely breakfast at the hotel (Darn! My appetite is back!), decided against going to the Houston Art Gallery (also well regarded, but hey, enough culture for one weekend1) and went for a leisurely walk around the hotel in the downtown area. I was far more imressed than I expected to be - interesting achitecture, streetscape, and even light rail!
I wouldn't want to live here - the heat and humidity would get me - but I would certainly visit again, should an opera opportunity arise!
Again an uneventful trip home (after the recent 11 1/2 hour marathon, 4 hours seems like a walk in the park), with Hank picking us up at the other end. On Monday, we finished the trip with another tradition - lunch with friend Andy at Henry Hunan's - Andy's son is getting married this weekend (who would have thought we would all get this old!), we had our trip to talk about, the food (we always order the same things, creatures of habit that we all are) was great - a wonderful close for a great trip.
And it was the end. On Tuesday, I was again off to the airport for the final leg, home to Vancouver. Aside from a near miss with the luggage (getting to the airport isn't always helpful - my luggage got on an earlier flight, and I almost missed in the shuffle), I got home just fine. My car started on the first go, the top was down in a trice (it was a lovely day in Vancouver), and several hours later, I was home, having ordered my New York Times for Sunday hHey, first things first!), gone to the butcher, the greengrocer and the supermarket, collected my mail from my neighbor, and poured a glass of wine!
And I was back to work on Wednesday - and, truth be told, glad to be there. It was good to see my colleagues and friends, and to confirm that I have enough work for the summer! Have to pay for all this stuff, don't you know!
Life is now settling back to routine, with dinners, bridge and theater already in the offing. I am feeling much better, although not 100%, and am looking forward to a great, if reasonably quiet, summer. Daily (or almost daily) postings will stop - I'd bore you to death, I am sure. However, by popular demand (hits on my blog have topped 5,200 - who would have thunk?) I will continue to let you know what I am reading, seeing and doing. You guys should keep in touch too - you know where I am, and it would be nice to catch up with you as well.
So, ta ta for now
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