Pierre had asked me last week if I would be interested in attending a “book launch” with him at Lincoln Center. It was advertised through the New York Basque Club because the book was written by a Basque author. Lincoln Center? Absolutely. Pierre warned me he may not be able to go but I was determined that this was exactly the kind of thing I should be doing while I am here.
It had rained Sunday, Monday and Tuesday but by Thursday the weather was beautiful; sunshine and warm. My daily duties were behind me and by mid afternoon I thought it would be a good idea to walk to Lincoln Center. Another 5 mile walk.
Although I started on Greenwich Street (a street I was to walk all the way up to Columbus Circle) somehow I ended up on 8th Street. Nevertheless, this street took me through some nice spots in Tribeca and SoHo but most especially in Chelsea. I now realize that Chelsea is where the High Line is and I passed some very nice shopping areas as well as restaurants and bars. This is a place to which I need to return and spend more time. It appears that it is a highly desirable place to live and has over 200 art galleries. Not that I am into art galleries, but hey! nice touch!!
I walked through midtown, saw several theaters to my right and continued on my trek. By the time I got to Columbus Circle I was tired and rather warm and thirsty. There is a Starbucks across the street from Lincoln Center; there is also a PJ Clarke’s (a nice restaurant and bar). I actually thought about going into the bar for a beer but this is still not an easy thing for me to do—drink alone, that is. I ended up at Starbucks and ordered a frappuccino. Just across from Starbucks and across Lincoln Center there is a small area with trees, bistro tables and chairs as well as benches.
I sat at a table, enjoyed the frappuccino, cooled off and actually started people watching. I don’t usually enjoy this. I am a better participant than I am a spectator. But somehow this was different. I started wondering where everyone was rushing off to. Where did they live? How did they live? What were their days like? This is quite the rabbit hole. About 45 minutes before the event was to start I realized I was still 3 blocks from the building where the event was even though it was still considered the Lincoln Center. It was actually at the Samuel B. and David Rose building at the 10th floor penthouse.
It was truly beautiful; the views were amazing.
I was the first guest to arrive and quickly sat down on one of the 100 chairs set up. Slowly but surely people started walking in and it was apparent that everyone knew everyone. Why was I surprised? That’s what being Basque means. They were all Spanish Basque. I picked up some of the words but certainly not enough to understand. One by one the room filled and it appeared that everyone knew the author, Kirmen Uribe. The author is from the province of Biscay but lives in New York. He speaks English and seemed to be delightful. He laughs easily and has an infectious smile.
The event began with someone reading a passage from the book in English, then he and someone else (probably from the publishing house) had a discussion about the book. Kirmen began by saying that he felt his book was crazy; it has no plot and no main character. It is up to the reader to format the book. And, yet, he went on to tell us the book won the National Literary Award in Spain and that it had been translated to 14 different languages; obviously a hit by any standard. After the discussion Mikel Urdangarin, a well known singer played the piano and sang. Mikel has a beautiful voice but I only knew his name from a previous discussion at a Chino Basque Club board meeting. This was followed by the woman who translated the book into English reading an excerpt and another song by Mikel. All in all a lovely event, very well organized. Kirmen ended by inviting everyone to stay for tapas and Basque wine catered by a local Basque restaurant, Haizea. Pierre had just mentioned this place to me because he made reservations there for when his niece, Danielle and her boyfriend, Shane will be here (next weekend).
True to form I was able to get a glass of wine but the tables where the food was placed were completely surrounded by people (the entire time) and I was unable to get anything but a cracker.
During the talk, Andréa sent me a text and told me to introduce myself to Mikel; that he spoke English well and to tell him she said “hello.” Since I hadn’t used my voice for the past two hours this is exactly what I did. When I mentioned Andréa’s name it was as if I had said “John Legend.” He quickly had someone take our photo and told me he would be sending her the photo—which he did.
At this point I realized the books were for sale and that the author was autographing them. While waiting in line I asked the woman behind me if she was Basque and yes, indeed she was.
I told her I was Basque as well and from California. She told me that she had been the secretary for the Basque Club sometime before and if I waited she would introduce me to the president, Lisa. When I went up to Kirmen for his signature I told him by background story and he was every bit as delightful and charming as he presented himself on-stage.
When I was younger I was very quiet and in-the-corner type of girl. As I matured and gained more confidence I have been able to strike up conversations with strangers but I certainly would not think of myself as outgoing. This night was a triumph for me and it felt really good. I was on a “high” the entire way home. Oh, BTW, I took a car home.