It seems strange to have Friday a no-work day. Last night Margaret Myers and I were invited to the Muellers for dinner. He is the treasurer out here. They have a beautiful apartment. We took a taxi out to their home—he brought us back. She offered to go shopping with us this morning. Some—but not all—of the stores are open Fri. a.m. She showed us where to have film developed, shoes fixed, etc. I bought a string (eight) of camel bells. There are some very beautiful things here—but not inexpensive.
Katharine died in 1993, but our family has a number of treasures from her time abroad, including the camel bells! There are only seven on the string…not sure what happened to #8.
My assignment is first grade—for which I am glad.
Washed my hair—the dryer worked fine. Julie has a transformer; I shall get one soon. It is amazing how quickly time flies—and then again it seems I have been here a long time.
As is still true today, many countries—including Iran—use a 220 V / 50 Hz power system rather than the 120 V / 60 Hz used in the US. Dual-voltage appliances were not available at that time, so they would have needed a transformer and a plug adapter. Here are a couple of 1960s-era hair dryers.
Yesterday the man on the radio said the temperature was 108°—It was hot, but really did not suffer from the heat. It is so very dry. The dust is something!
Yesterday we made out applications for a checking account at a local bank. We had to be told where to write name, passport number, etc. as the application was all in Persian. I may get so that I can say a few words, but I doubt that I could ever read or write it.
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I’m not very encouraged about the language. Mostly we need it for getting about in taxis—names of places and streets—making change, etc. Think one would have to be in a situation where there was no opportunity to speak English to really learn. Many of the taxi drivers and shop keepers speak no English—but hands help.
Bought material for drapes. My clothes rod is set back between two windows. That means the entire wall has to be draped. I bought a blue-green material. I have them cut—Mrs. Hill has a sewing machine. So far I haven’t found anything to stiffen the top. Bought some narrow tape—that has draw strings in it—then it is fastened by pinching some gadgets (something like tiny clothespins) that slide on the rod. I need to get some drapes up—as I play hide and seek with the gardener each morning. Yesterday I bought some bamboo that will be put up soon—I hope—over my bedroom windows.
Here’s the gardener.
Photo: Katharine Boylan
Your letter came yesterday, also one from Anne thanking me for the blanket. It is good to have mail. Have heard from Pearl, Besse, Imo—the world out there seems very remote.
It is time to go. Jane had word this a.m. her air freight is in. Hope mine comes soon.
I love you—Katharine
Sunday Aug 27, 1967
This entry combines two letters—one to K’s sister Ruth & her husband Bob, the other to K’s niece Bobbie (my mother) and family, Ray, L (me!), B, C, & J.
Friday is the Moslem Sabbath, so most shops are closed. That makes Sunday a day of shopping. It is a strange and new experience. Church—at the mission compound down town—is at 8:00 a.m., preceded by a taxi which is usually an EXPERIENCE. I’m wondering if one will ever get used to them. There are literally hundreds of cabs—small ones—and the only way to get about. The driving! There is a white line—sometimes—but no lanes. It is amazing how close we have come to collisions, but as yet no accidents. Then, as the drivers do not understand English it is exciting to try to make them understand one’s very limited Parsee.
Taxis in Tehran.
Photo: Katharine Boylan
We’ve had two bus trips about the city. It surely is a city of contrasts. We saw some road building, some large machines, and then a man cleaning up with a short-handled broom. Another building going up—with air conditioning, etc., and a man working with a wheelbarrow, the barrow of which was half a garbage can!
Photo: Katharine Boylan
This morning after church we went to the American Embassy for brunch. It was the first time I had been there. Not nearly as exotic as it sounds—but the food was good. I had scrambled eggs and bacon.
Then Sunday is the day of shopping. We have Friday off—but most places are closed. Today I bought a bedspread, and a mirror for my chest of drawers. It stands up—it is three-sided—and is has more decoration than mirror! I decided that as long as I had to have one I might as well have a Persian one.
Here’s the mirror, which I continue to treasure.
Did I tell you I bought a mattress—a foam one—brought it home in a taxi! They had given me a new cotton one—which after one night resembled a hammock. I heard that others had bought these so decided I would, but didn’t know they would not deliver one.
K captioned these slides “mattress making at the school compound.”
Photos: Katharine Boylan
The sounds here are different. The first morning sounds are the crows—or their first cousins—then the hawkers. So many people come around selling things. The only thing I’ve bought from them is a melon. A donkey carries the melons. And how the donkeys do bray.
Night before last and yesterday I had Tehran Tummy. However, I was not ill as long as several have been.
We had another bus trip. Stopped at a tea house. Sat on platforms—covered with Persian rugs—next to a stream. It was interesting—except that I didn’t feel so good!
Picnic, tea house, north of Tehran.
Photo: Katharine Boylan
I understand I can write checks on a U.S. bank. The way the money goes, I may need to. Getting set has taken a lot.
I love you—Katharine/Auntie K
P.S. The pistachio nuts are wonderful!
I remember that K used to send us shipments of pistachios from Iran—still one of the largest producers of this treat. Yum!
