The following letter was written by Bob to his Grandmother from Freiburg, Germany. The date is based on a postmarked envelope and the order letters were written.
The letter below includes some interesting points:
Text of letter:
My ordeal in Germany is finally coming to an end. On September 29 I hitch hike up to Luxemborg to meet Jenny and then together we will begin hitching down through Austria, Yugoslavia, and Greece. Since the trip is based on chance and not plans I don't have any addresses where you will be able to write me. If it turns out to be possible we also want to visit some of Communist Europe, probably Hungary & maybe Albania, though I think there might be problems entering those countries. We will travel until money runs out. We should last until at least December and probably January. Then we both will look for work and in March I must return to Berkeley to continue my studies. If I do figure out an address far enough in advance I will send it along.
Mother sent me photos taken from the newest acquisition. It seems like a beautiful place to be living in. My only fear would be hurricanes; but then if you live in California you worry about earth quakes and if you live in Kansas you worry about tornados. Nature can always provide something interesting. I am looking forward to sunbathing and swimming in the warm Mediterranean, myself.
I recently changed jobs. The new employer is more genial and pays higher wages. It is much the same work: pick and shovel. The summer has given me stronger arms, that's for sure.
That was too bad about Margaret & history. Such is life. She should stick to English and Journalism. If she wants to get a college education I sure hope she is successful. Mostly I just hope things work out for her the way she wants them to.
There's an English guy at work who has offered to help find me a job as a math teacher in an English school for the months of January, February, and March. It seems like it might be an interesting thing to try. Apparently you don't need any sort of special training in education, just a degree in the required subject. I am afraid my looks might bar me from such employment. Bad influence on impressionable young kids and all.
The weather here has gone from summer to fall. Breath condenses in front of my face each morning as I wait for a friend to pick me up. By afternoon we are all working shirtless, though. The present construction site is up in the Black Forest among foot hills. The view is pretty; I have some regrets about the construction of a set of apartments in such countryside. I should imagine the nearby landowners are furious about the encroachment.
Love,
Bob