Thanksgiving, 2013

Thanksgiving 2013

Home of Deborah and Walid

Polyphonica around the Thanksgiving table

We are in our final week of choir rehearsal, leading up to concerts on Monday and Tuesday nights. After working our respective jobs, and rehearsing Thursday (Thanksgiving) evening, Deborah (originally of the UK) and Walid (of Lebanon) invited us to their flat for a Thanksgiving feast; Lebanese, Brits, Finn, and Americans. It was delightful!

Ladies of Polyphonica!

Men of Polyphonica, Walid, Vartan, Danny, Amir, Ali, Martin

Deborah asked me for a list of traditional American TG foods. She and Walid ordered turkey with stuffing & gravy from Socrate's, mashed potatoes, pink & white striped marshmallow topped sweet potatoes, and green beans.  We added apple crisp, cranberries, wine, an Indian dish / rice, Lebanese spinach-filled mannouche, salad, and other local dishes. It was a glorious feast!  As Walid began carving, I asked him how many turkeys he had carved.  He said this was his first, and attempted to pass me the knife. But I told him I thought he was up to handling the job.  He's a surgeon here at AUH hospital.

After Deborah's pumpkin pie and Walid's cheesecake, we came to the next best part: We all sang! "Lully, Lullah, Ave Maris Stella,  Bleak Midwinter, Riu Riu Chiu, What Sweeter Music" (J Rutter), and "Still Still Still". It was magical evening.

Our director, Rikkaa of Finland: simply Vonderful;
returns to Boulder CO in December.

AUB Assembly Hall; Our rehearsal and performance hall
Organ, used as a kitty condo, is in need of major repairs.

 I am so lucky to be here now, singing and living this life in Beirut.
Love and blessings on you all as this holiday season begins!