July 4: Toronto/Cleveland

Dear Friends and Relatives,

This morning was cleanup and packing morning, and then we loaded up the Jeep for a 5-hour drive to Cleveland, passing Passport Control at the border easily (except that the agent wanted me to remove my sunglasses!).  We had lunch in Buffalo, close to the now silent silos and decaying manufactories of the city, at an Irish pub, Sweenie's, which has been here since the 1860s.  From there we drove on, listening to the Beatles' "Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band" album, songs by Enya, trumpet solos by Chris Botti, etc., singing at full voice if we knew the lyrics!  Great fun!  Right now it is a bit past 7:00, and we are about to have dinner and will try to watch fireworks as nightfall eventually sets in.  Great visit, and there is still this evening and tomorrow morning, as my flight is not until 3:30 pm tomorrow.  A short text tomorrow, and then you will not be hearing from me until July 14, when I arrive in St. Petersburg, Russia.  As ever, Sylvia