1987 10 11 RWR to folks Rm 414 Suringa?? Europa? Ashoka? Oct 11 87 5pm

Dear Mom & Dad,

Am sitting by the pool. It’s 95 + deg. -winter’s coming! Mel’s watching basketball, Suzette & David playing with kids. Had a good Sunday School class on James this morning.

Last Friday Mel swam in a synchronized swim-fantastic job. Made me real proud of her.

Dad you asked about immunizations-they are, in fact, the single largest component of my job-measured in dollar value. The “job” is 90+% diplomacy and people relations. The communists in India are actively critical of any U.S. activities here-making it extremely difficult to do anything. I was far better received in communist China than I am in democratic India! Ironic twist!

We expect to have a house-or at least 1/3 of one-by Thanksgiving. It has an unfinished basement (very unusual to have any basement here!) The 1^st floor has a large living dining area with 20 foot ceiling and balcony at 10 foot level. I thought

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we’d put the piano up in the balcony! The 2^nd floor has 1 bdrm and the inside balcony. The 3^rd floor has 3 bdm, the fourth floor has 1 bdrm. The top floor goes to David! Each bdrm has separate bath and at least one outside balcony with 3 feet high concrete wall & would be nice for afternoon tea in winter-great excuse for servants!!

The middle third of the house will be reserved for government people on temporary duty assignment in Delhi and the back 1/3 is for the landlady. Servants’ quarters are behind the garage.

The last occupants of the house were Russians working for Tass News Agency-left behind lots of bugs-termites to be precise. Exterminator at work & cabinets being replaced.

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Susan has bought 4 saris this week- Looks great!

I’m losing weight ~6 lbs in 8 weeks-leaner meat & mostly vegetables in diet + hot weather encourages drinking not eating.

When are you going South? Be sure to send address in advance! If all goes well Jerry Brimberry [d 2015], CDC will be leaving ~October 17 to visit us for 2 weeks-other CDCers visiting periodically. In fact I’m sending this letter to states with Tony Burton-even with stopover in Geneva he’ll be in USA in 4 days. I try to send mail with travelers as often as possible.

Unfortunately it’s hard for you to do same to us! But if you ever have an urgent message call Susan’s mother who stays in touch with CDC & doesn’t mind calling anyone!

Must close

Love from us all,

Roger