Jailer

Undoubtedly, not only will I look back at 2009 as a year of remembrances past, but also as a very emotional year. In one grim 5 day period a few weeks ago, three people younger than I who I knew/were connected to died of natural causes. The closest of which, my wife's dear first cousin, happened while my wife and younger daughter and I were travelling on our spring break: yet another curse of the travelled classes.

In March, on the way to RAK with Cousin6z, I stopped in at MAD, another place that I had not been since 1978. Saw some old friends by Velasquez, but also added two Caravaggio’s to my life list. I also have, you might be surprised to hear, a few corporeal friends as well, and when you ping someone after a couple of decades, especially someone you once stayed with, you better mention in the first sentence that you are staying at a hotel. Claude picked us up at the Madrid Palace and I recognized him instantly because he looked exactly like his dad did 30 years ago. Claude took us to the best fish house in Madrid, although he is allergic to fish.

In Paris, it was a joy to renew some acquaintances with old friends from the Louvre and treasures from the Impressionists, but (again thanks to the Museum Pass) I enjoyed some new relationships, like Marie Antoinette’s farmhouse, the Lady and the Unicorn Tapestries, and Picasso’s house, which was at the request of my daughter.

And, so thinking that it won’t be another 30 years until I’m back, we boarded the train to AMS. Two years ago, while on our Hapsburg tour, the entire family trained it with a F/C Eurail pass, but coach is more than fine at $57 per person; even so, $114 plus cab fare is 10% of my allocation. It’s been a while since I’ve read a menu right to left, but it’s likely good for the soul.