[Note: Read this post first for an introduction.]
You can tell how dated this letter is because I say the Arabic countries are actually glad we were there! I’ve also stayed at plenty of hotels for more than $180 a night, though for the small salary I was making as an enlisted sailor that was indeed steep.
It turned out that I didn’t leave the Navy at our port stop in Hawaii but rode the ship back to San Diego before flying home. I was ready to leave California and experience actual seasons again, though California eventually did find its way into my heart.
Friday, 22 Sep 91 [age:22]
Dear Grandma –
Hello from the Gulf! I just got your letter in the mail today, 22 days after it was sent. I guess it doesn’t matter, since it traveled more than halfway around the world. Most of the mail here somehow gets sent to the wrong country. Amazing. I can imagine what it must have been like with half a million troops here.Things aren’t too bad here on the whole. Sure, the temperature and humidity can sometimes make it unbearably hot, but there is usually a good sunset each night. The people in the Arabic countries I’ve visited are glad to see us. But living here is still much too expensive. A night in the Hyatt cost $180.00. Not much night life, either.
I brought my video camera around with me but the Arabic culture does not really condone photography. They have other rules, too. We are only allowed to wear slacks and collared shirts out on town. I thought that wasn’t too bad until I saw three Kuwaitis check into a hotel wearing shorts and “L.A. Lakers” t-shirts. These places are kind of hypocritical.
Luckily I have a few books to read. I only wish I had brought more. Right now I’m reading “Father and Son and Company” by Tom Watson, Jr., the son of the founder of IBM. A good success story is what I need to motivate me as I head into college.
I have 107 days left today. It looks like I could check off the ship 13 January 1992. Next month I find out if I got accepted to N.C. State University. Once I get off (in Hawaii) I’ll probably drive across country to start school in the spring semester.
I was reading in the paper the other day all about autumn. Don’t know how long it’s been since I’ve lived through a good fall. Out in California nothing ever changes. I miss the U.S., but I will be especially happy to leave California. I never caught on to California. Too many people out there and not enough elbow room.
I can’t wait to get the scoop from Mom and Dad about their trip to Europe. When I was inport here I tried to call their Paris hotel but did not succeed. They were probably out terrorizing the continent at the time. Someday maybe I will get to visit Europe.
So you and Aunt Nancy have been traveling, too … Mom told me you might get to visit her. It would be nice to see you again. How’s that work-list coming along? I’ll train Woody while I’m at it … you can put that down.
There’s not much more to tell you here. Until my next letter I’ll be sweating under the desert sun by day and dreaming about home at night!
Love,
Mark