一個奇怪的地方 A strange place

這是我在美國境内所到過最奇怪的地方。我們連續兩個晚上迷路迷得一塌糊塗。Google 印出來的路綫圖或地圖都沒發生什麼功效，因為我們看不到路標。在夜間越需要找路的地方就越暗，路標小得恰恰讓你看不到。高速路上一路有廻轉道，但在夜間你唯一看得到廻轉道的時候，就是你發現自己已經錯過的時候。到如今我還在尋找傳説中的 "Rainbow" 路。結果，我的電腦+Google map+加油站的燈光立了大功。真慶幸當初下定決心訂了無綫網路電腦卡－每月的服務費，$60，在陌生幽暗的地方迷路卻靠它找到回飯店的路，無價。另外，此地的週六下午，路上空無一人。

但是，這兒的人真是善良，尤其是我們在鋼琴賽中遇到的義工。

對了，説到鋼琴賽，雖然我們沒有得獎，但是她彈得非常有音樂性(musical)，我對她的表現沒有任何抱怨。唯一可惜的是她犯了一個明顯的錯誤，所以結果是在我們意料之中。青少年組的冠軍來自北京，一個可愛的女孩。藝術家組的結果出乎我們的意料，但我們歸咎與樂團不夠好。對了，藝術家組的冠軍也是代表中國的，所以今年中國是大贏家。我們為了臺灣的鋼琴家抱屈，她只拿了第三名，她彈得真是好，應該最少最少得第二的。

明天再參加過一個master class 以後，我們就可以回家了，吔！！

This is the strangest place I have ever been in the US. We got lost two nights in a row. On average, it took us 1 hour to finish the 10-minute trip to the recital hall or back to Hotel. The roads are very dark at night, and the street signs are small enough just for you to miss it. Till now I am still looking for the promised “rainbow” road. I am so glad that I decided to pay for the wireless card for my laptop. Monthly service fee, $60, to find your way back to your hotel in a strange and dark place, priceless.

However, the people here are nice (at least the ones I met in the competition). Many Russians here, not sure why. This competition is closely connected with Russia anyway.

Speaking of the competition, we didn't win anything, but I have no complaint about her performance. She played very nicely and musically, I loved every single bit of it. However, she made an obvious mistake, so the result is expected. Both winners in Junior and Artist levels are from China. China is the biggest winner this year. I feel bad for the Taiwanese pianist. She played Chopin No 1 so well, so musically, and with so much detail, but lost to the two Russian concertos (Paganini and Concerto No 2 by Rachmaninoff). As I said, it is very Russian here. :) Getting the third place brings down her average.

We will be home tomorrow after a master class. Cool!