Transcription of Document FFDoc-1242.pdf

Friday March 27, The Hague

Dear folks,

Although Mr. Levada (Andy) had business there yesterday, the day of our arrival, it didn't involve Willy Grimmke or myself, so we had the afternoon at our disposal. Andy took us from the hotel to the railroad station, to get a train for Amsterdam. On the way to the station we walked part-way and rode the "tram" or trolley car part-way. I saw just enough of the Hague, its people, its shopping streets and canals to make me want to see more, some time. But yesterday it was "off to Amsterdam"! The public transportation is fabulous here - efficient, clean, fast - whether it's trains, trams or buses. We arrived at the station just as the Amsterdam train came in; for roughly $2.40 we bought R.T tickets for the 25-mile ride to the major city of Holland, traveling first class (I think that would even be OK by our accountants). We were in Amsterdam in about 45 minutes, with several way-stops.

Once there, we spent a half-hour or so in and out of the nearest tourist information booth, getting maps of the city and its transportation system, and familiarizing ourselves with directions, tram prices, routes, destinations, etc. It was all informal and "cut and try", and we made a few mistakes, but we finally made our way to the "Rijk'smuseum" or State Museum, where the world-renowned collection of Breughel, El Greco, Vermeer and, particularly, Rembrandt, art works are displayed. This was the highlight of the day, and we spent all the time (1½ hr) we had, up to closing, there. We looked for, especially, Rembrandt's "Nightwatch" painting, which is at the museum. It was an extremely gratifying picture to view. Somewhere in upstate N.Y., incidentally, in Canajoharie or Johnstown - in that vicinity - is a somewhat famous copy of that same painting, and the copy is full size. This "Nightwatch," so you may know, is probably 10 or 12 ft high by 20 or more feet long. A real "must" for seeing, in Amsterdam!

When the museum closed, Willy Grimmke and I repaired to the center of town (RR Station) again, and dropped in to a small bar for refreshment and further plans. Willy tossed off a few "Genever"s, the local (Dutch) popular drink - like gin without the juniper flavor - and I matched him with the local "Amstel" beer. This is a rather fine brew, and its "Gold" label variety packs a 6½% alcoholic wallop - well above the usual 3½% of U.S. beers. It was after 6:30 when we left the bar, and we walked to one of the nearby better eating places, "The Five Flies", for dinner. This place "was born in 1637" - and it had all that expected air and atmosphere. We both are herring eaters, so we "appetized" on a herring cocktail, followed by filets de sole (fish) which was superb. When Willy chose ice cream for dessert, it came with a "4th of July" sparkler burning in it - very pretty. I had no dessert except coffee - which is much stronger here than in the U.S.

It was after 8 PM when we left the restaurant, so we went immediately back to the RR station and caught a train for The Hague. I fell asleep immediately, since I had had only a few hours sleep in the preceding 24. I awoke 2 stops before The Hague, and found Willy sound asleep - so heavily so that I had to really shake him as the train pulled into our station.

Back to the hotel we went, and I wandered around the lobby looking here & there while Willy went up to bed. Just as I finished my tour of the lobby I bumped into Andy Levada and Mr. Hilpman (John) who had flown in from a London business stopover and who is going to Tripoli with us. John is the Petroleum Industry Sales Manager for GE New York. As a nightcap and to share our greetings, John and I had a few "Amstel Gold Labels" (that 6½%!) before retiring for the night.

I must say that yesterday was one which fit the "cold and damp" description Dunki put on the Dutch weather. I had the lining out of my zip-in coat, and a short-sleeve shirt and sport jacket under my top coat, and I froze all day - just seemed to chill you to the bone.

Today is somewhat warmer. We were all (Levada, Grimmke, Hilpman & I ) supposed to take a noon-time flight from Amsterdam to Zurich, Switzerland and thence to Tripoli. But at breakfast John Hilpman suddenly suggested we get an earlier flight, if possible. We found one on another airline (Swissair) out of Rotterdam airport, and after a whirlwind of packing and paying, and taxiing, busing and waiting, we made our flight and so I am finishing this letter now, enroute to Zurich, high above France and only 20 minutes from our destination. Below it's overcast again, but up here it's brilliantly clear. I don't see the Alps poking up through the clouds yet but I hope the day is fair at Zurich. Since we have a late afternoon flight from Zurich to Tripoli, and it is now only 10:45AM - I assume we may have a chance for a quick tour around this famous Swiss city.

The hostess just brought a small Swiss chocolate bar to each passenger, in lieu of the mints they pass out on US planes. Will sign off now & pick up again later.

Joe, send this letter to Miss DeSimone, again, as soon as you can.

I hope the results of Mary's throat culture test were all negative. I'm still taking my penicillin (when I remember it)

Love to the family and dear ones, and Best regards to all, Frank

(Pat) - Please add Dunki to your list of copies.