Ilona Cole, Guest Author, Story 187

Another Evening with Harry Belafonte

It was September 1988 and my beloved husband, Hal and I were looking forward to our trip to Germany to visit my dearest sister, Friedl and her family.

It was a beautiful, sunny day as we landed at Frankfurt International Airport. My sister and her husband, Georg waited for us to clear customs. After an emotional greeting we were on our way to Darmstadt, my sister’s home. We will spend two weeks with them this time. We have tickets for Saturday evening at the Musik Haus (music hall) to enjoy the great artist Harry Belafonte. We felt very lucky to hear him again. His concert many years ago in Seattle, Washington during the “World’s Fair” at the new Opera House was a wonderful experience. My sister, Friedl, my Hal and I have never forgotten that beautiful evening.

Saturday afternoon arrived. We enjoyed a glass of champagne to toast our upcoming experience with the most beautiful music in some years, a toast to Harry Belafonte.

Dressed, not formal as the time previously in Seattle, but very nice: Friedl in a cashmere suit with chic suede high heels. Georg in a dark gray suit, white dress shirt with a silver/gray tie, very elegant. My Hal wore a brown wool/silk suit with white dress shirt and brown with silver pattern silk tie. I wore a brown silk dress with a narrow gold leather belt, long, full sleeves with gold buttons and high heels in brown suede. I thought we all looked very spiffy.

We found our seats, center and almost up to the stage and settled down in anticipation of a repeat of a great performance many years ago. Midway through the concert we enjoyed a break with conversation and a glass of a beautiful Riesling from the Mosel Valley. The second part of the concert was more relaxed, his songs more nostalgic, slower in rhythm, beautiful and sensual. Like Friedl’s and my favorite: “My Island in the sun” the lyrics bring tears to our eyes.

My Island in the sun,

willed to me by my father’s hand

all my days I will sing its praise

of your golden shores and your shining sand.

We were still humming some of the songs on the way home. It was an unforgettable evening, and so very special because it was again with, not just my Hal, but also with my very dear sister Friedl.

The dinner that evening was equally unforgettable, at least for my Hal: “Pastete” his favorite dish. It is pastry dough and layered onto are layers of Swiss Emmenthaler cheese, thinly sliced, Jambo, (French ham) thinly sliced, a layer of thinly sliced apple, on top a layer of caramelized sweet onions, thinly sliced. The dough is folded over to make a pocket and baked in the oven until golden. It was served with a green salad with tomatoes, cucumber and endive with Friedl’s own dressing. Georg brought from his cellar a white, beautiful, fruity Burgundy.

Yum!

For dessert, served in the living room, aromatic coffee and Friedl’s Rum-Baba cake, very delicious.

A wonderful vacation with my Hal and my beloved Friedl, always to remember!