Sunshine

It was so remarkably sunny when I got off the plane in Toronto. I flew in a small 20 seater from Baltimore, so we had to walk outside, down the stairs and across the tarmac to the terminal. I was not expecting to wear sunglasses, and closed my eyes to manage the brightness. I realize how grey and dreary it has been in Baltimore these past few days, with water pouring out of the sky and into my basement. We had been waiting for the roofers to come by and fix a gutter and some roof tiles. In the meantime, my basement is a mess. It feels good to be far away from my basement.

I felt I could breathe in the brightness, and felt relieved to be back in Canada. I found myself speaking differently, more like a Canadian, I could feel the lilt in my voice. I liked that immigration was easy and no one interrogated me. Of course I absolutely detest the airport, the worst airport in the entire world, where one is required to walk and walk and walk through miles of hallways cut off from the real world behind glass walls. I was so worried I would miss my flight, but when I finally got through security, my flight was delayed. Free internet! How civilized. I sat with a group of jabbering students, who reminded me of the Johns Hopkins groups, playing cards and being loud.

I called Sharon, who was to be picking Maya up from school. She was panicky and lost and an hour and a half late. I directed her street by street to find Maya, who did not appear too distressed. I had hoped Maya and Sharon would have a chance to see Hilary Hahn, who was giving a benefit concert for Japan, but Sharon was too discombobulated after getting lost ( I did not anticipate that Sharon would find it so difficult to manage Maya's schedule). I calmed down, reminding myself that what Maya and Sharon do is out of my control.

When I found my seat on the plane that was already an hour late taking off, there was a mechanical problem to be attended to, and we spent another hour on the tarmac until we were safe to go. I arrived in Montreal far too late to see Tara's play. I took the 747 bus to Mansfield and walked up the hill to McGill and waited for the play to finish. I recognized many of the faces in the audience when the play ended. Tara was happy and was complimented repeatedly. There was time for Indian food at the Taj, with a mango lassi for dessert, and off went Tara to party with her friends, and I found a Moroccan taxi driver to discuss the state of the Middle East with, and found 'Le Petit Hotel' in Old Montreal, with stone walls and modern minimalist furniture and free internet.

Maya left me several messages to tell me she was doing great. Sharon brought her cats with her and Maya is enjoying playing with Ellie and Bethany. Eric is in Minneapolis after a good talk in Lowell and more talks and dinners to participate in. The bed looks big and comfy and inviting.....