Ghosted Letters, 1 – B, my Bossa Nova friend
Inaugurating out 'Ghosted Letters' archive...
A really nice, long letter to a Friend who enjoyed a style of Music I also love; but who sadly departed Slowly, there was never a reply. Hence, 'Ghosted Letters'.
I still have B.'s profile in my active users folder. One of the good people I enjoyed corresponding with, but who sadly have stopped logging in or deactivated accounts all together.
B.'s is the second, terminal, deactivation case. Be well dear friend, and know you are remembered.
The letter is rich and long, as we had this kind of discussions. If it's too long for you, it's understandable.
But I think it's a nice piece of Writing. And now as a Blog page, with added images and live links to terms referred in the letter. Hope you enjoy reading it. 😉
And the letter begins
Hello B.!
Good morning and thank you for your sweet letter, just enjoyed reading it, your prose is so light and fluid. 😉 The stamp you sent me is the first one from Israel I have got, it's very pretty and highlights the Temple Mount which I have an interest in as well.
I am fascinated by the history of the Templar Order, you see. 🙂 So, very appropriate. We should talk about that, if you are interested?
Really glad you liked Madeleine Peyroux, she's lovely; and sounds so much like Billie Holiday, without being imitating her, that it feels like she's been on our playlists before.
I am listening to Late Night Jazz atm, even if it's near noon and a bright sunny day. Stan Getz and João Gilberto just can't be beat for coolness. See their 'Corcovado' track from the 'Getz&Gilberto' album on YouTube.
Recently I was at a nice hostel in Alentejo, in Portugal, and there was a small and hip cafe just across the alley, one day they had João Gilberto playing for hours and I enjoyed it all while in my room, window directly to the cafe. Later I went there and thanked them for the good taste. 😎
Thank you for the recommendation of “Sapiens” – it does sound intriguing, and I had heard people giving it good ratings and kudos. Adding to the list, thanks B. 🤗
Glad to know about the Location mystery, now settled. Slowly showed your letter coming from Israel indeed. Your background is fascinating, I have a young Russian penpal here and she's awesome, artistic, sensitive soul. We have letters flying over the Atlantic at all times!
Languages and cultures are fun, there are some words that really don't translate as they are unique to that language, or maybe a nearby one. Portuguese has some, a classic being “Saudade”. Sometimes described as a longing, a missing for something, someone, a place, a culture you left; none of them seem to encompass the feeling of the word, imo, as a native speaker.
Portuguese culture also has the Fado, which is unique as a musical expression. I love Cristina Branco and would recommend you listen to her “Sensus” album, it's my favourite. She's sometimes described as a Jazz-Fado fusion, but I see her as a modern version of the classic Fado great singers. I have been to some shows in Portugal, with the best being one at a small, simple venue, a local club in Lisboa in the Alfama neighbourhood where Fado houses and restaurants are common.
The audience in this venue was all Portuguese people, they enjoyed, sang along sometimes, and the singers would come in, alternate with others, do maybe 3 numbers before ceding the place to the next singer. Really nice, and it's my cultural roots, I feel really at home in Portugal.
Yes, it's nice to have a place to stay abroad, wish I had one in Thailand maybe – could be a good retreat for the long Winter months here in Canada when I get the Blues from the season, unfortunately. 🤔 But I will get over them, or move somewhere warmer, brighter hopefully, at least for some time.
Thailand, I haven't visited, but hear many Canadians go there for extended stays in Winter. Costs are affordable and the culture is interesting, delicious spicy food, sunshine. What's not to like? Maybe the long plane ride there, possibly. 😜
Great talking to you, B. Till next time, I will be listening to good music knowing that you are too. 🤗
Bye for now,
Yann.
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