Transcription of Document FFDoc-1244.pdf

Tripoli Libya, March 3 1970 (Tues)

Dear folks,

When last I wrote it was Sunday night, after the return from the archaeological expedition to the ruins at Leptis Magna. To expand a little on this latter place, it was founded by those great traders and merchants, the Phoenicians, around 500-700 B.C. It was, at various times, under the rule of the Greeks, the Egyptians, and the Romans. Actually, it was one of 3 ancient cities in this area, the others being Oea (modern Tripoli) and Sabratha. From ancient times this general area consequently has been referred to as Tripolitania (or Tripoli, today) , meaning " 3 cities". Leptis Magna is the largest of the ruined cities still to be found along the North African shore. It is many hundreds of acres in extent, but not all of it has been unearthed, and only a small section has been restored. The city saw its greatest expansion and prosperity after 193 AD, when one of its native sons, Septimus Severus, became Emperor of Rome. The city built an arch in his honor at the major crossroads of the city. The ruins include several large basilica, a forum, a market area, numerous houses, several baths, and a magnificent theatre. Very impressive are the marble and limestone columns found in profusion throughout the ancient city, and it is reported that several hundred of the marble columns were shipped to France for the building of the Louvre, and to England during the construction of the Windsor Castle.

The muezzin is calling the Moslem faithful to prayer now, a call which I believe is repeated 5 times daily. I have heard it as early as 4:30 to 5 AM in the morning, and it is now just 7:15PM. I have not seen any of the faithful praying publicly, but I assume they must do so in the privacy of their homes and offices. On the streets, incidentally, very few of the women are dressed in Western style, and most wear a black sheer veil through which they can see but not be seen, or a head covering completely excluding all view of their faces except one eye. Their great beauty, apparently, must be protected from the offending vision of all men except their families. Many of the women who dress in Western garb are from the Italian population here, which is a minority.

Yesterday (Monday) and today have been spent at the customer's offices, and these sessions have been somewhat trying to us, particularly to me, because of misunderstandings as to what we in GE are supposed to be doing on this project. And most of the serious misunderstanding appears to revolve around the work which our (ESO, Schenectady) office is committed to. But I will not pursue this with you, and only call it to your attention so you will not think this trip is just one big vacation. We are actually working here.

The city of Tripoli is a lively place by day, with the perennial European game of car vs. pedestrian being played on every street. The horn is always used before the brakes on the car, and woe unto him who fails to look to left and right before putting foot in the roadway. We have engaged an English-speaking taxi driver, who carts us to the customers offices from our hotel (a considerable distance) and picks us up at lunch time to run to the restaurant and afterwards is patiently waiting to run us back to the customer's and pick us up after finishing in the evening. He does this on a day-rate basis, being paid once for the day - something like 4 or 5 Libyan pounds, which is about $14. This is fine with 4 of us splitting the bill, but I wonder what happens when the other 3 leave, and I have to use his services alone?

Which brings me to say that Messrs Levada and Hilpman have finished their work and are returning to Amsterdam tomorrow. And Mr. Grimmke is staying till Thursday to complete some work. I am scheduled to "go to the desert" on Thursday, and I anticipate some three to 5 days spent there looking at equipment and talking to system operators. Some queer things have happened to the oil company's power system, and I would like to be able to explain "why" to them. Perhaps if I ask enough questions I can begin to piece out some answers.

For my own gang at home, I was pleased to hear Mary's illness did not turn out to be "strep" throat, and I was pleased that you each wrote a few lines on Mrs. Watson's note to me. Surely you are all being on your best behavior for Mrs. La Fleur and Mrs. Watson in my absence; if not, they both have my approval to "lean on you". Better they should do it than I, eh kids?! But I sure hope it isn't necessary.

It's time to go to dinner, so I shall close, asking Mr. Hilpman to mail this in Europe. That way it should reach you all sooner.

Love & best regards to all, Frank (Dad)

P.S. Tell Mrs. Watson I sent the ½ auto registration yesterday with a GE man going to Europe but this letter may reach home first.