How was it?
I don’t know what is more overwhelming: The positive response of the attending ALFANs or the curious interest of the absent ones.
Yes I am delighted
- that 35 people turned up
- that the heavens did not open like they did today
- that you, the audience was so interested, attentive and appreciative
- that you found out, that this event is not for women only
- that you enjoyed different things:
- the linguistic questions (right answer was chocolate-rewarded)
- the concept of ALFA – Europe’s most south western literature salon
- the opportunity Deborah Gaines took to inform us of a Cancer Fundraising Event.
- the impressive talk of ALFA trainee Lina Kokaly
- the interesting talk of John Piper about Ignaz Semmelweiss, the cause of his novel Mother Killers (available for 25 € from)
- the smirting (I am afraid, you will have to attend in order to find out what that is 
)
- the eats and drinks provided by Catrin George (yes, next time you may come at 7 pm with a healthy appetite)
- the illustrated talk of Peter Booker on the Carnation revolution (25. April 1974)
- the Chinese proverb that marked the end of this event:
With money you can buy a house, but not a home.
With money you can buy a clock, but not time.
With money you can buy a bed, but not sleep.
With money you can buy a book, but not knowledge.
With money you can buy a doctor, but not good health.
With money you can buy a position, but not respect.
With money you can buy blood, but not life.
With money you can buy sex, but not love.
The next ALFA-salon will take place on Monday, the 5th of may, 7.30 pm in the Convento S. José in Lagoa.
Hope to see you again, you who have been,
Hope to be able to welcome you, you who could not make it.
