February 27, 1976
Dear Family,Hi! Did the U.S. stamps make you wonder for a minute? Met a girl today from New York who is leaving tomorrow so thought I would take advantage of "AIR-MAIL" service!
I got my Afghanistan visa today just by luck. They told me to come after 1:00 pm – so I spent the morning just looking around in shops – and at my leisure. I got there about 1:15 and they were locking up the place – as they close at 1:00 pm. I had to "bribe" the guy (5 Rupees) – bribing is a common practice here – but I only do it in RARE occasions.
Now to go back – I mailed you all a letter this morning explaining how I had decided to make a quick trip to Kabul. In Hikkaduwa I met 3 Peace Corps people – through Mike – who are in Kabul – they were in Ceylon on their holiday. One is TEFL director, 1 an Architect and the other works w/ the local newspaper. Anyway I met them – quite by accident in Delhi – the day I arrived, Feb. 24th, and they said "you must make a trip to Kabul." They wanted me to come with them but too many hassles – I would have had to have gone II class unreserved and I did that once & I don't intend to do it again. Also I needed a visa which takes 2 days to obtain.
So tonight I'm going to Amritsar – then to Lahore – Peshawar – then to Kabul. I'm not looking forward to crossing the borders – they say they don't make it easy on you – but I'm no amateur traveller at this point in time. Today I made my reservation back to Bombay from Delhi. I'm already in a hurry to get back to Bombay – I'll be just 4 days there before I return home (8th of March - 12th).
I was having a cup of tea this afternoon & an American woman & daughter came in & sat at the table next to me – I started talking with them and they were from Indiana – the daughter goes to Woodstock school – where Betty Bobb (who Mrs. Salisbury knows) works and the mother (also the father) are doctors in a Mission hospital here in India. They have been in the U.S. the last 3 weeks. I couldn't believe the weather they were describing.
Mary Virginia – how did you spend your birthday? I bet Ruth came in – or did you all eat out?
Last night there was another wedding here – there was one here when I was here in November (YMCA).
I wrote you all just this morning about my trip to Agra. I hope you do read the history of the Taj. I had & it made it alot more interesting when I saw it.
Just this week I spent – or have cashed in half of my travellers checks. If it wasn't for my plane ticket my trip would have been extended. But in a way, I think it is a good idea to come home while you are still having "fun" – while I'm still enjoying travelling! But when I get home I'm going to start saving my $ for my round-the-world trip!
I'm enclosing a post card of the Gold Temple in Amritsar that I'll be seeing. Mike & Mary sent it – you can read their comment on Indian food. They hate it – and didn't even try it.
Mike might try for lifeguard at Hudson Guild – I hope I get my job there – especially since J.B. and maybe Mike will be there!
Just 2 weeks from tonight I'll be leaving ––
Hope all of you are fine. I really enjoyed all the letters the last week (both here & in Bombay). If I work at the shop some when I get home I'll get caught up on the news quick.
Got to go – train leaves in 2 hours – first time in awhile I have to see myself off ––
Love,
Roberta
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