Stanford 

May 27, 1962: Letter to Parents from Sam in Beutelsbach Germany

Dear parents,

Happy Mother’s Day! Happy Father’s Day! Bon voyage! Happy homecoming!. All in one fell swoop. And say hello to Tiger for me. 

I just returned this evening from a 10 day visit to Berlin; a visit which was by far the best group undertaking we have had over here. But I have no time to explain all the exciting details - too busy, with finals, last-minute preparations, etc. Anyway, it is all such a big whirl still. It’s better to wait and let it coagulate. But to more important matters:

School gets out on 12 June, and I leave on the 13th for parts unknown. I meet Jim Hass in Milan on 21 June. My first question is, Do you think the Chadwick are home during this span of time, and, if so, do you think I could visit them for a few days?  (around three or four in order to see Geneva), and, if so, do you think you could send me their address so that I could write them myself? Please answer this inquiry promptly. My second question is about money.Heh.  Here are the figures:

When I came here, I had a round total of about $1200.  $1050 of this came from checks ($750, $300), $50 from Don, and $100 income tax return. I spent my own Summer funds on my plane over, tuition for three quarters, and room and board for those quarters, plus incidentals (such as books) at Stanford last fall quarter. My major expenses over here so far I’ve been: $350 on my car and it’s repairs, $30 on my Rome trip, $90 on my Berlin trip (I bought quite a few books from the East sector), and around $100 on spring vacation. Add to this incidental expenses, such as books over here, haircuts, room and board during weekends, etc., say around $200 (a very conservative estimate, you must admit).  The sum total of all my expenses, then, comes to, thus far, $570. That is cheap, let me tell you. OK. Subtract this expense total from how much I originally had, and you have my present budget: $430. I think you will agree with me on two counts. First, that I have been frugal thus far; second, that I cannot last with $430, and still fly back and ship my car to New York. My flight to New York will cost me about $100 (that charter you recommended, if the guy who is arranging it doesn’t screw up). The car costs about $200 to ship to New York. That leaves me $130 for the summer. I could do it, but I want to have fun, too. Jim Haas is bringing $1000 along. I would like to match him. I therefore asked for a loan of around $900. I will bring back all the change, and pay you back in full as soon as possible. I hope you do not think I am being, extravagant, but I would like a margin of error to take up slack. I would appreciate receiving the check as soon as possible, because School does end in two weeks.

There is no such thing as a student ship at the end of the summer, or I would take it. I will arrive in New York on 18 September, and somehow get to California in my car by 24 September. More details later. This means I have about two days free in the east.  When does Len's school start, so I may know how to gauge my time to meet him? Same with Bruce. If the guy who is arranging the charter plane doesn't screw up. I will have the next cheapest form of transportation at the end of the summer: a boat to New York, arriving much sooner, so I’ll have, plenty of time to see the gang. But to work. Please write soon, and include all the goodies I asked for. And get set for lots of laughs.  

P.S. how is Big John? I have not heard about the news of the brandy colored urine for some time now. But, again, back to work. Stay healthy, everybody.

Sam