Jazz @ Heinrichs

Monika, Matthias & Max

Last friday, I was invited back to the Heinrichs for dinner. The Heinrichs were the host-family that I stayed with the first time I was in Germany and being back after almost 2 years was a wonderful experience. Max grew up alot since the last I saw him, especially his hair which I am told has not been cut since the last time I was there. He's still as hyper and cute as before. The house looked the same, nice and cozy, and Maotsi the cat has put on alot of weight.

We had a lovely Raclette dinner which is a Swiss grill speciality. It consists of a hot plate on top which you can cook pototoes or meat and below the grill, slots for which you put your personal tiny pan to cook. On this pan, you can put any serving you desire or available for you such as salami, salmon, corn, mushrooms, onions, etc. You must then top it up with a slice of goat cheese or salted cheese. Once its done, the cheese melts on top giving a lovely golden brown pizza-looking dish and you scrape in on your plate to eat. The term raclette derives from the French "racler", meaning "to scrape".

After all the 'catching up' was done over dinner, it was time for our favourite pass-time, Jazz! Mathias was on his double bass, Monika on the piano (although her instrument is the trumpet) and me on the bongos, playing a couple of jazz standards for old times sake. It was definite fun and from now onwards I have become their resident percussionist; jam sessions every Wed night with the full band. They even wanted me to sing for their jazz choral which they play for but that I will put on hold for the time being. The Heinrichs home at Koelnerstrasse will probably be my 'home' away from home.