A.W. (Peter) Machen to Arthur and Rose Machen

April 3, 1970

Wa Than

 

Dear Mom and Dad,

Day before yesterday, I got the Maryland State flag and today I got your letter, Mom.

I've asked you a few times before but got no answer.  What is wrong with Angie?  I'd appreciate to know.  If she died tomorrow, I’d feel sort of stupid.

I sure hope I do alright in this security check.  If I don't qualify for embassy duty, I want out of the Marines.  Maybe I can get a cut.

I had a fabulous time to Tokyo!  I spent most of my time in Yokohama just outside of Tokyo.  I  spent two nights with the Adamses, one with the whole family.  He lives pretty “high off the hog.”  When I first came into Tokyo, I had only one pair of trousers and a short sleeve shirt.  It was at the low 30s.  Fan picked me up at the train station, driven by a chauffeur in a silver limousine.  He lent me a sweater + wind breaker, boozed me up to body temperature again and then we had dinner with Joan and Susie-a great Japanese dinner with hot saki.  It was very enjoyable and they gave me a good time.  The next day, I went back to my motel in Yokohama and painted Chinatown red (pun, pun).  I met a real cute Jap named Kay who accompany me on the rest of my stay in Japan.  She showed me all over Tokyo.  We went on top of Tokyo Tower, the Emperor’s  Palace, the Ginza + had lunch at the famous Sano Hotel in Tokyo (not the same Sano Hotel in Yokohama)

I spent too much money!  I can't account for a penny (yen) of it either.

At worst, I'll be home to 12 weeks.  Should get pulled out of this rice paddy sooner than July.

Things here are going pretty smoothly.

Heard Bill Dollar got married.

Well, I enjoyed talking with everyone at home over the phone!

Write soon.

Love to all,

Pete

PS. Hen, I liked your drawing.  Try some Jap bubblegum