26th july 2007 - ismail

it is 8am, just like every other day and every other docking point, fish are jumping out of the water looking for food. And like every day I have no desire to fish. I'd rather sit here and write, read, or do nothing at all... a few terns flying screeching across the water. If I'm not mistaken, we’re at halftime. I came on board 38 days ago and as many days still remain.

When I project the timespan and everything that has happened into the future, I become almost anxious. On the other hand, the notion of going on land again and living there is just as inconceivable.

Today will be a particular challenge. For the first and only time we have two guest bands on board, Haydamaky and Zdob si Zdub. It's going to be a huge effort, both in technical and human terms. And on top of that, the significance of the event here in ismail. Mayor, city councillors, television and an aeroplane with 20 media representatives is coming from austria...

But as the river has taught me, this day will be history in 12 hours too and with it all events, regardless of their significance. My motto: to make myself of as little importance as possible and to give my best in the opportunity given to me.

Late night, 3am: the zdobsis have just disembarked and gone back to moldova. They want to see us again in the autumn, perhaps record something together. The day was of course stressful. Of course there were tensions and problems. On top of it all petra fell ill with vomiting and diarrhoea and david and maria had the same symptoms, although somewhat weaker. In case of food or other poisoning, petra was taken to hospital and kept there. We had to take measures of hygiene to avoid an epidemic. On account of her condition maria could only sing half her parts. I took "juchitzer" out of the programme from the outset. Nevertheless, an evening for history. Banners, balloons, thousands of people who lined the banks, sang, danced, celebrated a party with haydamaky, zdob si zdub and us. We didn’t miss out on anything.

Lastly comes the news that petra, david and maria were not poisoned, but rather had sunstroke. Bad enough, but we still all breathe a sigh of relief.