Hallway Maestro

We just had dinner in the lounge. Had a Dutch specialty called Bitterballen. Something along the lines of a ball of condensed mushroom soup rolled in breading and deep fried. Served with a packet of not just ketchup, but curry flavored ketchup.

On our brick lined walk back to our room, Matt picked up the notes of a violin echoing off the walls. We stopped and listened until we found the door it came from. I pulled out the camera, switched to movie mode and recorded these beautiful gypsy sounds, full of emotion and life. It just kept getting better. Like little kids about to get caught, we stood ready to run, lest we be caught. At a pause in the refrain, we bolted, thinking they had somehow known we were listening. Like the feeling you get when someone is watching you. Maybe it's the same when someone is listening to you. Anyhow, no one came out and we stepped out into the hall from a few doors down to hear more, but the music had stopped.

Not wanting to interrupt, we decided we should leave a note to tell them that we really enjoyed their talent. Matt and I debated about the gender of the artist. He said male, I of course, lobbied for female. Then Matt decided that we should alert them to the note, so as not to have it overlooked. He opted for a ding dong ditch :)

So, with shoes tied tight, and all warmed up, he tip toed up to the door, with me unsure he could make it back to our room before they opened their door...he knocked pleasantly, and hauled hiney back to the room. Kind of running ape-like. Makes you go faster I think.

A few moments later we again heard the piercing strains of the violin, only much enhanced. Closer. Sure enough, the recipient of the note had stepped into the hallway and continued to play. We had to reveal ourselves. I stuck my head out slowly, cautiously, and saw a young teenage girl playing for all to hear in the middle of the hall.

The three of us made tentative approach, finding friends where none were before. She, Sophie, aged 14, is here to audition for THE youth orchestra of Holland. Her mother came out as well, and told us that she is currently in another orchestra, but the one she is to audition for is more prestigious. We told her how much we enjoyed hearing her play, and that she will do wonderfully. She laughed that she has fans, and her mother took a picture of the three of us together. I'll share the little recording I made to, with Sophie's permission :)

We gave them our email card, and hope to follow a long and distinguished career to come. You'll do great Sophie!

We are still hoping to move into our new high rise apartment by Tuesday. I can't wait to get settled.