1 Month 17 days - A visit to the State Opera - January 3rd 2016

During my week in Germany, I stayed in touch with the Rasoul's. I organized a transportation company by phone who picked up the bed I had found for Helz and dropped it off at their apartment. Everything worked out smoothly and yet, I had troubles winding down. 

I left Germany on January 2nd and arrived back in Vienna - exhausted. The past month and a half had taken a toll on me. 

I woke up the next day with a stuffy nose and a very unsexy cough. Nonetheless, I picked up the Rasoul's at 10:15 and called a taxi. It was a big day. Upon my email, Dominique Meyer, the director of the Vienna State Opera, had invited the Rasoul's to see "Fatima oder von den mutigen Kindern" (Fatima or from the brave children) and he had even offered his Opera box. "Fatima" is a children Opera, based on a story by the Syrian-German writer Rafik Schami, composed by Johanna Doderer, conducted by Benjamin Bayl and directed by Henry Mason. An excellent and thoughtful choice. Unfortunately Abdelaziz, the father, was unable to attend as he was suffering from a cold too. On our way to the Opera, I decided to join the Rasoul's on this special day. 

Once we entered the beautiful building, the look on the faces of the children and Shamse, made me forget all about my cold. I picked up the tickets and took a few pictures of them together. We walked upstairs to the box and made ourselves comfortable. The three children sat in the front row, Shamse and me right behind them. On the seat to my right I had already unpacked my tissues, my cough suppressant, some water and my nasal spray. I had not intention in distrubing the Opera. 

The Rasoul's were in awe of the beauty that surrounded us. They took pictures, selfies and group pictures before the curtain rose.  

The Opera that Dominique Meyer and his team had suggested, was beautiful. One of the many beauties of art is that one does not need to speak a language in order to understand. Art, in all its forms, is its own language and universal.

The Rasoul´s enjoyed the entire experience as much as I did and their eyes were sparkling after the performance. My offer to take them back home, was gently declined as Shamse could see that I was suffering from a cold so we said goodbye and I crawled back my apartment. My cold was unfortunately the flu and it took me more than two weeks to recover. While we stayed in touch, I was unable to be present in person. But I knew, that this too, would pass.

I was happy that the Rasoul´s were becoming more and more independent and that they were settling step by step. It made them happy and that was priceless.