After over 30 hours of planes and airports, I am happy to be back home safe in Texas. I picked Lynne up at the airport yesterday, as she has returned from her work in Africa. Except for Lynne recovering from a recurrence of malaria, we are in good shape and enjoying a few days of rest before the beginning of what looks to be a very busy semester at Baylor.
There is certainly plenty for me to think about as I process the summer’s events and travels. It is funny the odd little things that stick in one’s mind as I reflect, and the fact that they aren’t always the big things that we will all remember . Hezha’s Birthday on the back of a car in Iraq in the middle of the night, complete with violin accompaniment. Boran’s father playing me a Kurdish folk song on his guitar at the Fine Arts Institute. The ice cream on Bliss street in Beirut. The many unique cats I encountered in all three countries. I particularly remember the Dean of the Fine Art’s Institute in Erbil pointing to his wall and lamenting that he “has no degrees” there from qualified teachers. I pictured future diplomas in Baylor’s Green and Gold , but promised I would help somehow, even if the colors ultimately end up being Purple and White, or Orange and White, or…
Most of all, I will remember and miss my new friends…until we meet again. (I am tentatively planning a short trip to both Iraq and Syria in December.)
I was severely limited on Internet this summer. Even when it worked, it was sporadic and bandwidth was usually nonexistent. So, I am now going to upload a few videos and pictures as an Epilogue to the summer’s most memorable moments, and since folks have been asking for more. It should be much easier to upload now that I have good bandwidth (knock-on-wood).
I will continue to use this blog as a way to update any news as it relates to the American Voices mission, or to the welfare of the students whom I introduced to readers over the course my blog entries.
A special thanks goes out to all those that supported me over the last two months. (You know who you are.) Even simple emails helped me make it through the few low spots. I am truly appreciative.
Now…on with the show…
IRAQ
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The drive from the Erbil airport upon arrival in Iraq.
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Hezha’s 19th Birthday Celebration.
It is midnight, but Happy Birthday, Hezha!
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The students arrive at the opening of the YES Academy in Erbil, Iraq 2010
Bruce Walker works with the cellos at YES Academy, Iraq.
Students practice at the Ministry of Culture in Iraq.
My advanced piano class in Iraq.
Teaching students to play and name intervals in my piano class for beginners in Iraq.
These two girls were very talented. Their piano teacher is a violinist at the Institute. Certified piano teachers are not to be found in Kurdistan, a problem I would like to help remedy.
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Ms. Carol works with the Broadway Kids class in Iraq. They are always the hit of the show.
At first, Michael seems a bit harsh. But he knows that one of the challenges of the YES Academy is how to get students, often from different religions or ethnic backgrounds, to work together as a team and not as individuals. The result is always a good show and a bonded group of dancers.
Boran and I shoot video for the new Erbil airport. The airport intends to have TV’s throughout the airport promoting cultural life in Erbil.
People following my blog learned the fate of these two dogs, and that Iraq was full of highs and lows.
At a party, the students mock a local pop violinist. Apparently this imitation was right on, much to the delight of the listeners.
The local KFC…”Krunchy Fried Chicken.” I had a nice chat with the owner, an Iraqi who for most of the year lives with his family in England.
The Water Man delivered water to the Ministry each day. I did the math…1.2 million Kurds in Erbil, each drinking 5 to 8 bottles per day, equals a lot of plastic, and one huge environmental problem. Plastic bottles litter much of the city.
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SYRIA
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Agathe watches Amjad read during a lesson. Agathe won third place in the Syrian piano competition only a few days after our workshop ended. At ten years old, she was the youngest competitor.
Syrian piano and voice students pose after their recital.
“Yung Chris International” demonstrates some of the dancing that will be on the finale Gala.
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Anne-Marie Condacse and I perform under unusual circumstances, not the least of which was the great distance between the pianist and soloist, and a TV cameraman that liked to startle the pianist by placing his camera over the pianist’s shoulder. Thankfully, the crowd was large and enthusiastic.
The bazaar was closed on Fridays (holy day), but I was interested in the workings of the “tea guy”. When I took this picture, I hadn’t even noticed the interesting sign in the background.
LEBANON
Mosques broadcast the call to prayer several times per day. This was my favorite singer and chant during my travels. The mosque was just outside my AUB dorm window. (sound only)
I met many interesting cats during my travels, and couldn’t resist photo ops.
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We had a blast wandering the inside of the “Mussaylha” castle during our private showing.
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Bruce is thrilled to be standing in the sea at sunset.
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Another view of the spectacular sunset the night of our arrival in Beirut.
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Aram is concerned that the man may be drowning. Is there a lifeguard in the house?
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Yes…yes…rest easy….there is a lifeguard.
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A sermon at the Umayyad Mosque on holy day in Damascus.
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Hezha and Omar enjoy our day at Jeita.
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No, this isn’t a scene from the Matrix. Hezha and I have a little fun with the mirrors in the elevator of the Virgin Megastore.
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Ira Spaulding hides behind his Kabab at dinner in Beirut.
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The tree outside my piano studio at West Hall on AUB campus. Yes, this is one tree.
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Omar graduates from his first book of piano lessons.
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This isn’t the way I remembered Snow White. I wondered what the Dwarves were packing.
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More graffiti near campus.
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The cats of AUB.
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Don’t worry, little one. Tell your friends (and mine) that I will be back.
