To Cai's family
Andy Majda and I were not aware of this Tribute site - not until Andy died on March 12, 2021 after a long battle with Parkinson's and his students set up a forevermissed Andrew J. Majda website. So, sorry we didn't know. I come late to write my condolences to you all and let you know how much David Cai meant to us, how close a friend he has been for so many years, how we traveled with him through his illness and still shared many fun moments during his visits to Andy's office during his illness.
Andy and I met you all the first time at the train station in Shanghai upon our return with David from Xian. It was only for a very short time, but I remember it as if it was yesterday. It was such a pleasure to finally meet David's family. The second time we met Jack and David's eldest son at the memorial to David Cai at NYU Courant Institute.
We were very sad loosing David. He was a unique person and dear friend and we often talked about him over the years since. David showed us China and taught us so much of its history, culture, cuisine and beauty that we fell in love with it. Our trip to Xian was a veritable history short course and so fantastic, we marveled how he knew so much of its history. He told us he learned if from his father. An earlier trip was to the Yellow Mountains, which is also unforgettable.
David and Andy were always close friends and enjoyed each other talking about anything from math to life to politics, to eating great food, of his family and kids and so much more. I want to share with you the many photos I've taken on those trips and hope they will be of some help to you.
If there is an afterlife, I would like to think that David and Andy can enjoy and continue their friendship.
Gerta