Opera Club BY WANGDI S.
Schönheit
How does the coronavirus affect your life? What do you
miss the most during lockdown? These two questions
are often asked in newspapers, on social media,
and among people. Apparently a good majority of
people rate social contact as one of the major missing
ingredients in their restricted new daily norms. As soon
as the most severe period of the COVID-19 outbreak
passed, as much as 50% of the German population went
out to visit friends, relatives, or colleagues. I am one of
them. In the late afternoon of April 24, with mask and
hand sanitizer in my pocket, I drove to Poppenbüttel to
visit my friend Elizabeth.
Sitting outside Elizabeth’s house, where our Opera Club
meetings were held regularly in the past, also made me
itchy to see other members: Andrea and her naturally
dramatic effect when reading librettos; the elegantlydressed
Anna with her thoughtful and analytical
comments; Becky and her characteristic laughter; the
scientific Carol with her systematic approach to opera
presentations; our shy but observant South African
lady, Charis; petite Freda with her allegro eloquence;
the quiet but artistic Lisa with a whimsical touch; the
lanky German Simone who refuses to believe in her
excellent command of English; and…
Prior to my arrival, Elizabeth had set up two lounge
chairs in white under the blooming apple tree, a white
food cart draped with a flowing gauze table runner
separating the two chairs. The sun hung just above
the tall apple tree, spreading its radiancy in columns
through the young leaves, brightening up the yard and
its surroundings. A German proverb says, “Wer ohne
Freund ist, lebt nur halb.” After nearly a two-month
lockdown from each other, the moment of reuniting
with a good friend was a “Brindisi” (the drinking song
from La Traviata) moment for me, a joyous revitalization
as important as a sunray in life.
As I now sit on the patio, looking out on my garden, it
seems to me that our shared interest in opera is very
much like a patch of ground where our appreciation of
this particular art is being nurtured by the passionate,
diligent, and beloved Elizabeth. Over time our
understanding and enjoyment of opera is gradually
growing, as are the germinating seeds of friendship
while each of us still retains individual shapes, colors,
and even smells. Like the flower bed on the green
lawn, the Opera Club has become an indispensable,
enlightened Schönheit for me. “Die Menschen kann
man entbehren, aber mancher braucht einen Freund.”
Hamburger Helpers BY CHARIS H.
Embrace the Change
During these unprecedented times, COVID-19 is
impacting all of us. I believe this crisis will change the
way we live going forward. On a deeper level, I believe
that the crisis is forcing us to recalibrate. One effect is
a greater awareness of our families, loved ones, and
the communities and society we are a part of. Social
distancing is also forcing us to reconsider the value of
our personal spaces and the way we interact with our
loved ones in the cocoons of our homes.
The first few weeks of isolation and social distancing
were particularly challenging for me on a personal
level. A new routine came in effect as the weeks went
by, and we as a family have benefited greatly from all
the precious time we have spent together.
Board games, 2K-piece puzzles, baking challenges,
28 The Clubs within Our Club