In August of 2020 it was still necessary to get a ¨permiso¨ to go out in public in the capital of Chile, but Uli and I wanted to share one last time together in Santiago before her return to Brussels. So we got our passes to be in public and met for a picnic in Plaza Las Lilas despite the rather chilly late winter weather. Notice the white paint marks on the ground telling us where the safe social distancing was.
Uli and I met via a bookclub group where we shared a lot of great times with other friends, but in addition she and I shared a connection with Japan. She was my source for what to read, things to do and where to go when I taught there in 2019 (we even met up in Tokyo for a museum and pastry outing). So obviously our last picnic was composed of all the little Japanese delicacies we could procure or make in pandemic Santiago, including a little sake. We also shared a love of coffee (her favorite in Santiago was Elephant Coffee) and food (momos at Madam Chaus, and a group quiche making afternoon at her apartment). Her last gift to me was all the food and Japanese beverages she would not take back to Europe, including a 1.5 liter bottle of sake!
This evening I scanned through all the photos I have of our times together and relived her vivacious presence. I am so sad we will never have that meet up we planned in Brussels with the bottles of bubbles, but am grateful for the times we shared.
