Münster, Tuesday
November 18, 1969
5:00 PM
Dear Mother, Daddy, Serena, John, Mary,Hi! I was especially glad to get your letter today with the pictures. You'll have to wait awhile to see any of mine.
I didn't get to Hagen over the weekend after all as Frau Semmler called on Saturday and said it would be better for me to come tomorrow which is a holiday for prayer and repenting. At least, I hope that's what she said -- a strange voice speaking German over the phone is not very clearly understood.
On Saturday, Ann and I rode our bicycles to a water castle which is about 1½ km. E. of Ostbevern (about 20 km NE from Münster). After we got there and were wandering around in the front hall we found out it is a Catholic school for boys. Since we really had no business on the premises one of the Sisters was in the process of throwing us out when I finally got through to her that we were Americans. She then gave us a tour and before we left she even gave us the address of her two brothers & a sister who live in Minnesota. Have you ever heard of LeRoy or Riseville Youva, Minn?
Saturday night I went to a fest which was sponsored by some club -- a pretty formal affair where all the members wear funny costumes which reminded me of King Arthur & his knights. The guests sit at tables and drink wine at an unbelievable high price. There is an MC and singing, telling jokes, etc. for 3 hours -- a little long seeing as my German isn't good enough to understand much. And then there was dancing. I stayed for another 45 minutes or so. A German guy, Max, who I'd met a a party two weeks before was there so I went with him to the "little Eula" which is a discothek for dancing (if one can find room to stand up.). Mütti almost fell off her chair at breakfast when I told her.
Sunday morning I went to services at the Catholic church (quite modern) near us. The Völker's are Catholic, as is Ann. I couldn't see much difference between Catholic services here and in U.S. except there was more I didn't understand. This Sunday I hope to go to Protestant services.
Later, I went over to Max's house and listened to some records with him, his sister, and two other people. Everything (except records) was in German. Ugh! It's tiring just to listen. Max is in the army so he only gets home every two weeks.
We're beginning to make our plans for Christmas (Dec. 19-Jan.10). I will be traveling with Alan Hewett and Rose Mary Gorden. Two of my best friends here.
Now for some quick comments: I get 36.5 DM per $10 trav check. Yogurt costs about .75-1.1 m. although I haven't bought any. We've had no snow, only rain every other 5 minutes. What is a CPO? The closest place to ski is in Saarland which is in southern Westf. Only about 50-75% of cars are VW's but the other aren't much bigger. A station wagon would look like a semi. It would be nice for you to send the Volker's something. How about that instead of sending me anything. I may need a few days to think of something. Vatti has a stamp collection and might appreciate something in that line. Mütti likes perfume, there is some Fr. kind ? that can't be bought here. Or maybe some jewelry if perfume would be too difficult to send. Is there such a thing as a silver dollar which can be put on a necklace? I know she would like that. She sews alot if that offers any other possibilities. Of maybe an American calendar or some writing paper. I think maybe I have about used up this piece of paper. If you would like to send me a Thanksgiving gift I would like a BIC fine-point blue pen. I haven't been able to find any fine point pens here. Have a nice Thanksgiving and I'll think about you all as I sit in school as usual. What's a thrilling thought! We are having a party for our German parents that night. Hope you didn't get lost reading this.
Love,
Catherine
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