The smile seemed familiar—perfect in every way. Broad and symmetrical, it gleamed with physiology’s textbook definition of white.
Yet beneath its mathematical precision was something rare: genuine warmth. Perfection often carries a sterile chill, but this smile radiated a glow as comforting as my African sun. Thousands of kilometres from home, I should have felt like a stranger. Instead, I felt welcomed. Our bags were safely packed in the back of a spacious, comfortable vehicle ready to whisk us to the pulsing heartbeat of New York City. At the wheel was Charles, the source of that radiant smile a fellow African from the Ivory Coast, now a proud New Yorker.
His warmth bridged continents, offering Azeem and me the perfect introduction to the storied metropolis. In that moment, it wasn’t just a journey through the city it was a homecoming of spirit. One can’t help but wonder what drives our human instinct to seek familiarity and comfort amongst our own? What evolutionary catalyst led us to this particular destination? Was it the pursuit of safety, or perhaps, for us Africans, the spirit of Ubuntu the belief in our shared humanity? There is a distinct trait born from the soil of the Dark Continent; an openness devoid of personal barriers. While some cultures might appear reserved, offering a polite but distant front, Africans often greet the world with a warmth as boundless as the savannah skies.
It’s an embrace that transcends differences, a natural impulse to connect and welcome all who cross our path. Perhaps it is this innate generosity of spirit that makes every encounter feel less like a chance meeting and more like the reunion of long-lost kin. As Charles navigated the bustling streets from JFK to our Midtown Manhattan hotel, I found myself reflecting on the journey that had shaped my life. From the warmth of Lobatse, Botswana, to the snow-covered tundra of Canada, I ventured far from home but discovered a kinship that forever tethered me to the country that educated me and gave me purpose. Canada bestowed upon me one of the finest dental educations in the world and a lifelong love for its people.
That connection echoed profoundly as I stood in the front row, ready to be rocked by one of Canada’s greatest musical exports, Bryan Adams. His raw talent and decades-long success testified to his brilliance. Humble and charismatic, Adams commanded the stage for over three hours, his energy matched by his impeccable band. Keith Scott, his longtime guitarist, was a revelation. His lightning-fast fingers and instinctive musicality transformed mere guitar notes into timeless memories, resonating long after the lights dimmed.
Music, like all great art, is woven into humanity’s cultural heritage. Instruments and their virtuosos form the rhythmic pulse of history, captivating us across centuries. A testament to this enduring legacy is the rare “Joachim-Ma” Stradivarius violin, crafted in 1714 by the legendary Antonio Stradivari. Listed by Sotheby’s to fund student scholarships for the New England Conservatory, it is expected to fetch between $12 and $18 million when the gavel falls on February 7. Stradivari and his contemporary Giuseppe Guarneri, both from Cremona, Italy, revolutionised violin craftsmanship. Stradivari’s violins are celebrated for their warm, resonant tones, while Guarneri’s “del Gesù” creations boast a bold, powerful sound. With only a few hundred remaining, these masterpieces command millions at auctions and are cherished as timeless treasures bridging history, art, and the sublime beauty of music. The legendary status of Stradivari and Guarneri violins has not gone unchallenged. A 2014 study published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences explored the supposed “tonal superiority” of these historic instruments. Ten soloists participated in a blind test, comparing six contemporary violins and six old Italian masterpieces, including five by Stradivari.
The findings were unexpected; six soloists preferred modern instruments over the classics. One new violin emerged as the clear favorite, with contemporary models rated higher for playability, articulation, and projection and at least equal in timbre (quality of sound). The study sparked lively debate, challenging long-held assumptions and reminding the world that musical brilliance is not bound by age alone. Consensus amongst humans is a rare phenomenon and perhaps that’s what makes us beautifully unique. Our individual needs, desires, and perspectives shape what we find meaningful, creating a mosaic of interpretations and values. It is these very differences that ignite conversations, fuel connections, and drive human interactions. And if that isn’t life’s greatest symphony each note distinct yet harmoniously intertwined then I don’t know what is.
His warmth bridged continents, offering Azeem and me the perfect introduction to the storied metropolis. In that moment, it wasn’t just a journey through the city it was a homecoming of spirit. One can’t help but wonder what drives our human instinct to seek familiarity and comfort amongst our own? What evolutionary catalyst led us to this particular destination? Was it the pursuit of safety, or perhaps, for us Africans, the spirit of Ubuntu the belief in our shared humanity? There is a distinct trait born from the soil of the Dark Continent; an openness devoid of personal barriers. While some cultures might appear reserved, offering a polite but distant front, Africans often greet the world with a warmth as boundless as the savannah skies.
It’s an embrace that transcends differences, a natural impulse to connect and welcome all who cross our path. Perhaps it is this innate generosity of spirit that makes every encounter feel less like a chance meeting and more like the reunion of long-lost kin. As Charles navigated the bustling streets from JFK to our Midtown Manhattan hotel, I found myself reflecting on the journey that had shaped my life. From the warmth of Lobatse, Botswana, to the snow-covered tundra of Canada, I ventured far from home but discovered a kinship that forever tethered me to the country that educated me and gave me purpose. Canada bestowed upon me one of the finest dental educations in the world and a lifelong love for its people.
That connection echoed profoundly as I stood in the front row, ready to be rocked by one of Canada’s greatest musical exports, Bryan Adams. His raw talent and decades-long success testified to his brilliance. Humble and charismatic, Adams commanded the stage for over three hours, his energy matched by his impeccable band. Keith Scott, his longtime guitarist, was a revelation. His lightning-fast fingers and instinctive musicality transformed mere guitar notes into timeless memories, resonating long after the lights dimmed.
Music, like all great art, is woven into humanity’s cultural heritage. Instruments and their virtuosos form the rhythmic pulse of history, captivating us across centuries. A testament to this enduring legacy is the rare “Joachim-Ma” Stradivarius violin, crafted in 1714 by the legendary Antonio Stradivari. Listed by Sotheby’s to fund student scholarships for the New England Conservatory, it is expected to fetch between $12 and $18 million when the gavel falls on February 7. Stradivari and his contemporary Giuseppe Guarneri, both from Cremona, Italy, revolutionised violin craftsmanship. Stradivari’s violins are celebrated for their warm, resonant tones, while Guarneri’s “del Gesù” creations boast a bold, powerful sound. With only a few hundred remaining, these masterpieces command millions at auctions and are cherished as timeless treasures bridging history, art, and the sublime beauty of music. The legendary status of Stradivari and Guarneri violins has not gone unchallenged. A 2014 study published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences explored the supposed “tonal superiority” of these historic instruments. Ten soloists participated in a blind test, comparing six contemporary violins and six old Italian masterpieces, including five by Stradivari.
The findings were unexpected; six soloists preferred modern instruments over the classics. One new violin emerged as the clear favorite, with contemporary models rated higher for playability, articulation, and projection and at least equal in timbre (quality of sound). The study sparked lively debate, challenging long-held assumptions and reminding the world that musical brilliance is not bound by age alone. Consensus amongst humans is a rare phenomenon and perhaps that’s what makes us beautifully unique. Our individual needs, desires, and perspectives shape what we find meaningful, creating a mosaic of interpretations and values. It is these very differences that ignite conversations, fuel connections, and drive human interactions. And if that isn’t life’s greatest symphony each note distinct yet harmoniously intertwined then I don’t know what is.
