San Fran

Chamber Choir New Zealand Tour

16 May, San Francisco, California, 9:45 p.m.

We just left US soil, and what’s running through my head is a quote from Steinbeck’s East of Eden, which I think will prove to summarize our entire journey:

“It is a feeling in the stomach, a delight of the nerves, of the forearms. The skin tastes the air, and every deep-drawn breath is sweet. Its beginning has the pleasure of a great stretching yawn; it flashes in the brain and the whole world glows outside your eyes.”

Today we spent 6 hours exploring San Francisco, with a collective overwhelming sense of elation in experiencing it with one another.

We split off to wander Pier 39 for lunch, but then came together to see the Golden Gate Bridge. Joy radiated from us all, which climaxed when we gathered together and sang Estrellita impromptu. The interconnection, the feeling of jubilation bouncing off of one another and multiplying exponentially, even while still just on US soil, still only in day 1, was incredible.

Now, actually being on the plane, racing away from the US, a sense of suspended anticipation is settled over us. There is some level of worry, mainly for the extensive plane ride ahead of us; but for the most part, the thrill of the journey is rushing through us. Suddenly, New Zealand is tangible.