For the first time since arriving in Istria, this afternoon I called the children in Los Angeles. So far, they have not responded to my many electronic-mail messages. Our talk was wooden, but we talked. Among other things, I learned that they liked listening to Oum Koulsoum. This is a great tribute to Lauren, of course. Now I am listening to the great singer’s Alf Laila or Thousand Nights,[1] which I got just before leaving England. As I guessed, her voice helps a great deal.

Footnote

1. Sono Cairo: Cairo, 106-E.