Visual Entertainment from Near and Far
May, 1985 – on the Rhine
Hi
Isn’t this a magnificent church? We were in it again this am, admiring and enjoying it – so delicate and truly lovely. Parts date from the 1200’s. We had champagne last nite at the Captain’s party, then danced. We sailed all night from Nijmegen (Netherlands) to Cologne. We’ll visit a castle this eve., Heidelberg tomorrow. Wish you were here too.
Love
November, 1971
Today went past hospital where you were born.
Love
I was born in the Seventh-day Adventist hospital, Rangoon, Burma (now Myanmar). It opened in 1947. The hospital was transferred to the government in 1965.
October, 1981
Dear
This is a picture of the place in downtown Minneapolis where everyone meets. Often there is an orchestra or bank concert – sometimes even the Minn. Symphony. It is always warm and cheery – even in midwinter!
I have just walked around the lake (2 hrs) and now must get supper for the family. Wish you were here.
Love
(aside) If you ever watched the Mary Tyler Moore Show, this is where she throws her hat in the are at the beginning. There is now a statue of her outside this building.
This tower is linked to other structures of the Center and the skyway system of pedestrian bridges. The Court soars 120 feet to the 80th story.
December, 1983
Hi
So far so good – we took a city tour this am & a tour up to Rigi Kaltbad and Lucerne this aft. !! They both were good tours and we all enjoyed them. It was snowy and cold but sunny up on Rigi – skiing and beautiful sights of the alps.
So good to visit with you Christmas – I’ll call after we get back – we’re supposed to return Sun. (I’m pushing for Sat.) Bill goes to Bali on Jan. 4 for 4 days.
Love
Basilique du Sacre Coeur de Montmartre et la funiculaire I love this photo, one of my most favorite places in Paris.
June 1973
Dear Mom
Can’t remember when I last wrote!! We saw this last Monday and it was great. Tues. we went to Versailles – the garden there was beautiful!! Yesterday we saw Notre Dame and a lovely little church – Saint Chapelle. Also spent some time in the Louvre. Saw Venus de Milo & the Mona Lisa. It rained in the morning, but cleared up and is lovely today. We’ve been so lucky with the weather. Everyone is fine. We go to London tomorrow by rail and hovercraft across the Channel. The Gambles are flying to Madrid tomorrow and then to Portugal for a week. We’re having such a good time.
Love
(aside) On that trip we also went to the Rodin Museum which is housed in a lovely rococo mansion built in 1732. Rodin moved in in 1908 and it became a museum in 1919. It is surrounded by gardens and more sculpture.
Vitalis (VI century) – Empress Theodora with her Court
I went to Ravenna to see the mosaics in 1973 and I bought a lot of postcards because when I returned to school I had to write a paper on them. I thought it would be easier with visuals to remind me.
This Mosaic is in the Basilica of San Vitale. It shows Empress Theodora of Byzantium (b. 490 d. 548) and her offerings to Christ (you can see the Three Kings at the bottom of her skirts). Her two sisters are beside her. She was known for her beauty and here her tiara is dripping in jewels.
View of Victoria about 1860 from the Collection of the City Hall Art Gallery, Hong Kong.
Postcard courtesy of the Peninsula Hotel, Hong Kong (1950’s?)
September 1975
Dear
We got here ok – everyone seems to be visiting London – plane was full, London airport jammed mostly with Americans. We are in a very nice hotel, are pretty much caught up on sleep. Going to the British museum today, just will take it easy, off to Rome at noon tomorrow.
Love
Excerpt from my book Expat Alien. This would have been in the mid to late 1960’s:
Taxco was a small tourist city built on the side of a mountain. Besides having a few interesting churches, it was mainly known for its silver and had shop after shop of silver jewelry. We would go there for a weekend and walk the steep, narrow streets. The hotel we stayed in had a back patio where cockfights took place after dark. The cocks screamed in anger and pain as they killed each other or maybe it was just the crowd I heard screaming. I thought the whole thing was disgusting but lots of people enjoyed it, including my brother.
April, 1996
Hi
We have been having a great time here with Liz. They still have lots of snow but it has been beautiful weather. Went to see Braveheart tonight – it was great!
Love
Here is a photo I took of the neighborhood where we stayed.
And a few others around town.
Postcard Buzz 