Excerpts from Letters to Mom in italics.
09 April 1963
Mom, I'm planning on taking leave for about two weeks starting about 01 May. Two Army buddies are going along. We're going straight to Barcelona on the Spanish Riviera. Everything is very cheap, so I just might be able to afford it.
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03 May 1963 [Postcard - View of the bullfighting stadium in Barcelona, Spain]
We [Refers to two Army buddies, Doug who worked for the Signal Corps, and Pete who was a dental technician.] drove thru the nite and arrived here May Day. [With an U.S. Armed Forces license plate, the trio breezed through the Spanish customs. There were long lines of European cars waiting to clear. The Spanish Dictator Francisco Franco was concerned about the Basque separatists, the ETA, smuggling weapons. Along the Costa Bravo, Spanish police donning unique four-cornered hats patrolled the sidewalks carrying short rifles.] First we stopped along the road to bathe in one of the beaches [in the Mediterranean Sea] along Costa Bravo. The sun was warm; the water clear, blue and cold. I haven't seen a bullfight yet, but I hope to have enough money to see one Sunday.
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03 May 1963
Before I left Germany (the same day) I noticed something unusual about the way it (car) functioned, and had the garage check (it - clutch) when they changed the oil. Evidently they erred, because it grew worse and worse. Finally, I could drive with the clutch in - no clutch at all. I was all over Barcelona looking for a Volkswagen place. This is difficult being understood when no English or German is spoken and I cannot remember even the rudiments of Spanish. I left Germany the day before [emphasis in original] my payday and therefore had to borrow money. Things are definitely not so dirt cheap as I had heard. My paycheck is in my mailbox now, waiting for me to cash it to repay some of the debts.
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P.S. The fleet comes to Barcelona the day after we leave. Thank God.
06 May 1963 [Postcard]
That is the hotel where I am staying. We're on the 3rd floor on the right and are 5 yards from the beach. Behind the village are several mountains and one has an old castle. We drove back a dirt road as far as we could and then went on foot. It was about 1000 ft high and we had a wonderful view on all sides. The water wasn't so cold and we rented a "Patin" (small boat) and paddled several hundred yards out. It was great! There is a small school for Spanish a few doors down, and we met some German girls. It's a rather nice arrangement. I wish you could be here. I already have sunburn.
07 May 1963 [Postcard to little brother and sister]
Boy is it nice and warm here in Spain. I have a lot of freckles from the sun. The water is nice and clear. I like to go boating in a "PATIN" on the ocean. I missed the bullfight Sunday. Maybe I'll have another chance to see one. Be good and listen to Momma.
Love, Steve
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The enclosed picture is too dark. It was taken in Barcelona at the base of a big statue to Christopher Columbus. I stayed out of the sun the last two days because I was burning. I'll soon go out and get some more warm sun and glorious beautiful Med water. Tonite we are going to try a native dish called "Paella." It's not the name of a local girl but a typical Spanish meal. I'll tell you more after I eat it. I guess we'll take a Patin out again this afternoon. It is a sort of surfboard and boat in one. It's a lot of fun. I hope all the pictures turned out good because I'll have the negatives to make some copies. Right now I can blurt out a few short sentences and phrases in bad Spanish. I hate to think of leaving. This was my first leave since I've been here. Adios, el Steve
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