(July 12, 2007) Emily and I arrived here safely on July 3rd, but there is so much more to the story…I won’t even go into the part about the delays and lost luggage that Heathrow provided–we got to see footage of the exploding car in Scotland over and over as we sat, waiting in various British terminals.
We rushed to Vienna the morning after our arrival in Praha, just in time for a bit of the ICTM world conference, then rushed back to gratefully receive our wayward luggage, change clothes, and rest a bit. (thanks to Danica, who greeted us the first night with tasty dinner, and then shepherded our wayward luggage safely to chez Turnau so it was waiting for us when we got back…)
Then I had yet another stint in Vienna hearing papers and meeting other scholars–and playing some old-time tunes with some Americans and a Norwegian banjo-player. (there were lots of kind and interesting words from Eric Usner, Jon Dueck, Byron Dueck, Juniper Hill, Joti Rockwell, Nikos Pappas, Tim Cooley, and more and more.)
Now it’s the 12th, and it feels like a full, brief moment since our plane bounced onto the Prague tarmac almost two weeks ago…
This evening i called Zdenek Roh, making the first contact with the CZ BG community of this trip. He had emailed earlier asking if I could play in a country jam on July 6, but ICTM was still on. “You MUST call when you arrive.” (rough translation) So despite all my desire to just take time off and recharge after crazy school, wedding, packing, travelling, conferencing–I called him, formally starting what felt like “field work” – but also felt like–and IS–a personal connection. I felt the personal part right away, and was just plain ashamed that I had gotten hung up on my own work-complex… Zdenka answered, and was really nice – speaking carefully and with simple constructions, she made sure I was able to take part in Czech successfully – I was reminded of how kind she is. She updated me on the family – Frant’a is now a year old, I still haven’t met him – and Anicka is leaving for a week with the grandparents. And we are definitely invited to the Sumava for a week in august – the 11-18 – all their family will be there, and a bunch of other musical and friendly types.
Zdenek came to the phone from his workshop and, following impressions here, I was struck by how relaxed he sounded – his voice recalled to me how languid Zdenek often is – he leans against things, appraising situations as if he were a laconic cowboy figure like John Wayne or Clint Eastwood. He IS excited, I think, but he definitely is cool.
We have a lot to do – Yes, Sumava – but other things – a festival in Pisek on July 20 [Pisek is about 70 km S, of Praha] – and then a Bluegrass Marathon in September, and later in teh fall, maybe some recording with Roll’s boys.
Another comment at one point – he says that he is joking a lot [ketsat] but I am not – I guess I am a bit subdued – I am trying hard to understand everything, as my Czech is still warming up…..I tell him that there is a hum on the line, that I am having trouble hearing – but that I am also still getting used to speaking Czech again…..but what I actually am able to say is “I am speaking Czech badly” – and of course he protested, saying I speak beautifully – but I feel how much slowly I understand and express things….
So I missed a lot in this conversation. but I got his new work email so that I can write and tell him what emily thinks about going to Cerekvicka for the weekend, and keep in contact for upcoming shows, etc.
…and I heard loud and clear that Zdenka and Zdenek both are happy about me, and Emily – they congratulated us on the wedding–THAT’s another thing that Zdenka asked about – they both said they saw the pictures – and Zdenek commented about the pig cooking, which he said looked great – they do it best in Cz Rep, of course…
I feel excited and cared for and part of this community – this bit of telephoned relationship with Zdenek and Zdenka was a great way to start out.
