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LETTER TRANSCRIPTION:

August 28, 1975

What a very nice surprise to receive a letter from you. Antonio and I have been wondering all the time where you would be. We received a postcard from you first from Switzerland and then from Rotterdam (thanks very much) but as I probably lost the paper on which you wrote down all the addresses where you would look for post, I could not write you anymore. I asked my parents to send me the address of [the] American Express [Office] in Rotterdam but by the time I received it, it was already too late. So you understand how glad I am you wrote us this letter so I know to which address I can write. I think it will be quite a change for all of you to live again in America after having spent so much time in Europe.

We really miss you here. When our kittens were born (Mimi had five of them, we kept 3 little ones) we wanted to show anybody but the only people available were two Dutch ladies who have been living in Teresa's house quite a while. The little cats are adorable but they eat a lot and Antonio sometimes is desperate because we have to spend so much money on all the animals.

How nice that Alan has got a dog now as well. Our Lucero is bigger than ever (he has got the shape of a collie now) and very strong. At the moment we have got problems with him - dogs are no more allowed to walk free in Spain because there were several cases of rabies. It really hurts me to have him on a line all the day but the police is very severe about it and you have to pay 10,000 pesetas if you leave them walking around.

Too bad you all had that sickness. We have trouble as well. They have to do surgery on Antonio (a hernia) and he is so afraid of doctors. He was working in Marbella when it happened so he is here all the day in the house waiting till the call from the hospital comes (they don't operate in this warm August month so he is already waiting a month). Meanwhile Antonio sings in a restaurant near camping "La Chimenea." He is very happy there and only has to sing two hours every night. I bring him there and pick him up so it saves a lot of time. I don't know whether I told you that Teresa gave us a second-hand Fiat for a present. It really was very generous although she also benefits from it: we have to take her every day to Estepona. I enjoy driving very much. Makes things for Antonio much easier.

We became another wonderful present from the Dutch ladies I mentioned before: they were having dinners with us and Antonio was singing and playing. The next day they called me and said: What a pity it is that Antonio's guitar is in that bad state - (it really was bad - all open on the sides) and he does not have an instrument that really sounds good. So they gave him as a present the best guitar we could find in Marbella - it has a wonderful sound - you rally should hear the difference. As Antonio is drinking and smoking very little now, his voice became better as well - he is having a lot of success, so much that last week we met a Dutch bar owner who's best friend is in the business of "importing" Spanish artists in Holland. They went to try to persuade the government to give permission of staying in Holland for Antonio and they are arranging a contract for him with a group of artists. When everything works out we can be there next year when the springtime program starts. If not, we have decided to leave from here in a couple of months because a good job in Estepona is so hard to find.

My little sister (she has only got 18 years) has spent her holiday here with her boyfriend. It was so wonderful to have anybody from home here in Estepona that when she left I really was in a very bad temper. They spent two marvelous weeks here - we went with them to all the places we know (even to a bull fight although in the beginning I hated the idea, but it was not so bad and cruel as I thought).

As my sister is even crazier about animals than we are she insisted on taking a big mountain rabbit to Holland. She got through all the customs in the airports but when she arrived in Holland her other rabbits didn't like this one and they nearly killed him so she had to leave it on a farm.

Just one question: If you answer one time or another my letter, and please do!, could you tell us where we could inform ourselves about emigration to Canada - if Holland does not work out we would like to know if there are any possibilities there.

I hope you enjoy your new job in Gaston, Lois. The house you live in sounds nice. I also prefer old houses, they have got much more personality. The surroundings must be beautiful as well - I love to live in the country and hate big cities.

We have to give regards to you from all the people you mentioned in your letter (we told to all of them we received your letter). All the best for all of you - a lot of happiness in Oregon.

PS We just decided today to go and live in Madrid. We are leaving in first week of October.

Gracias por nuestra carta y muchos saludos de Antonio