First rehearsals are always the scariest

We had our first soprano sectional today with Maestro James Wood...quotes of the day:

"That was almost right!"
"Don't let that 'p' cramp your style..."

He's excellent, to say the least.

This afternoon was spent exploring. First, I walked the very ornately painted wooden bridge across to the old part of the city - Lucerne/Luzern is so beautiful. Even the evil swans. I managed to find a good-sized sandwich for under 7CHF, which is a miracle, as my tiny coffee this morning, the first I've purchased, cost 5. Everything here is extremely expensive. . .and I'm determined to save part of my per-diem in the name of fiscal responsibility or to buy an Alpine cow bell...

I came home to rest for a while - my host family was going out for the evening, and seeing me in my walking attire, Frau Susi told me where I could find some hiking just around the corner from the house.  I managed not to get lost on the Waldwegs - several trails that intersect and diverge around a very large, steep hill.  I was rewarded with a beautiful view of the east side of Luzern and the lake - and the mountains adjacent. In addition, there were tiger-striped slugs, snails, a deer, several cats, some noisy HUGE not-crow birds, an enormous bass-voiced ram (on a small farm nearby), and some plums and raspberries growing wild. At least, I hope they were raspberries. . .I didn't eat enough to drop dead.

As the hike involved walking up and down said steep hill in one direction, and then doing the same to go back, I am a little pooped. So, I'm going to sit for a bit, continue to take in the sounds of the city: train brakes; the Knie circus, whose big-top I can see from my room; the distant sound of some pickup football; church bells of all sizes; and the long low whistles other trains? factories? what are these ghost noises?!?!?

//

I brought an old favorite book with me - Terry Pratchett/Neil Gaiman's Good Omens. A few sentences have always stuck with me. The "occultist" character Anathema Device wonders at another character's curious lack of a perceptible aura:

"It might, or might not, have helped Anathema get a clear
 view of things if she'd been allowed to spot the very obvious
 reason why she couldn't see Adam's aura.  It was for the same
 reason that people in Trafalgar Square can't see England."

This imagery stunned me the first time I read it. I am fortunate to know a few people who could fit such a description - their life force, energy, and charisma emanate from every fiber of their being in an at first imperceptible way. Only by stepping away do we truly appreciate these inspirations for everything they are. (Yes, perhaps in Good Omens Adam is actually the AntiChrist, but the point still works).

Anyway, I'm a little beat from hill-climbing. Tchüss!