Virtual travels Eastward

Yesterday was the annual fund raiser at the local public library here. It was titled "Wine, wit and wisdom". Before I step in to the details, I do wish to say how wonderful the public library system in the USA is. A few cents from each dollar paid by taxpayers goes towards the upkeep and each county has its own elected body to run the network of libraries. The Rochester Public Library (http://www.rochesterpubliclibrary.org/) is well stocked and a very pleasant place to spend an evening browsing for books, music, movies or simply curling up with a book and a cup of hot chocolate. It has a elected body but the worker bees are mainly volunteers who are passionately devoted to their jobs.

The fund raiser saw over 250 people and the President told us that this was a record ever. There were all sorts in the crowd - they young, the old, the single and the groups all dressed in their party wear. Wine and a few short-eats were on the house (sponsored by a local restaurant). The entry fee was $50 per ticket. Each person could choose 2 classes or presentations to attend. I chose "Hope for Sudan : ..." and "Meats and cheeses of Spain".

Dr. Celestin Musekura is a doctor in theosophy and spends his life trying to rehabilitate young lives in the poverty stricken, strife-torn Sudan. Sudan got independence from the British in 1956 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sudan) but as is their wont, they left the country fragmented by religion and race. The killings have never stopped. Some of the pictures Dr.Musekara presented were gruesome and revolting. But there were also those of hope. Girl children in uniforms, women in classrooms learning to read and write, children drinking from borewells with fresh, clear water are all signs of revival. But how long should a Nation suffer before it gets back on its feet ? Does Bob Dylan know ?

My next event was delightful to the senses palate inclusive. Chef Schoville could be mistaken for a college student - feeding others keeps aging at bay I suppose ! We were introduced to 4 cheeses of Spain including Mahon a sharp cheese with the flavour of olives and Cabrelas a strong, blue cheese made out of both cow's and goat's milk. I skipped the red meat but got to taste some wonderful black and green olives with sea-salt and fresh bread. It made a fine meal. I also tasted membrilo (pronounced mem-bri-o) a spread made of a fruit called quince (it resembles a berica - a cross between a pear and an apple). The Spanish it seems are a fun-loving people who like to think of the French as the country cousins when it comes to cheese !:)

My take-away from the evening was how small events could be big eye-openers for the willing. Rochester grows on me steadily this winter....