postcards from virginia curry to mr. and mrs.
paul anderson compiled by andrea
1952. Le Littoral Mediterranean. Marseille
dear folks, I'm eating lunch & about to get
on the boat at Marseilles. Had a fine time in
Paris-ran into 3 people I knew I hadn't seen for 2
years-really a small world. Froze in Paris but it
is warm here. The plane trips were all fine, but I
still like boats better. It is quite expensive in
France compared to 1948 & 49. but I have ate
very well-as only one can do in France. I
understand why 70% of the average French income is
spent on food. I've had snails,wine, steaks,
pastries, fish-everything. I've been sleeping a
lot. I feel fine. Now 5 days on the Mediterranean.
Love, Ginny
Cairo, Egypt
Arrived yesterday in Cairo, tired but glad to be
here finally. Sad I learn Don must leave in 2 days
for a 35 day trip-all over Africa, so I must do all
the settling in our first home alone-find an apt.,
a servant and all that. But I'll manage. Hope to
hear from you soon. American Embassy, Cairo, Egypt.
Love,Gin
Cairo
Dear Folks,Having a fine time. Yesterday, I
bought four Alexandretta stones-unique-for ring and
earrings. The bazaar here is more fascinating than
the bazaar in Istanbul. The men here wear red fezes
and long nightshirt affairs on the street. All the
waiters wear long white gowns with red sashes and
red fezes-very picturesque. The weather is warm and
sunny so I am getting tanned. I am sightseeing and
such with a group of turkish profs. whom I met on
the ship to Egypt, so I am not alone. Hope all is
well. Love, Ginny
Ankara. Turkish Maritime Lines. october 14
Am just recovering from some food poisoning. Had
my first meal in two days ! I moved to my Turkish
family on Monday morning and Bedia took care of me
like a baby. The father is an agriculture professor
and there are 2 children, Haluk & Faront-ages
11 & 9. I think it will be very nice. They are
fixing a new bathroom for me. Am over my cold now
and my tummy is better. Love, Ginny
no signature. postcard of snowy forest
trees.
Several months ago, we moved to Izmir, the west
part of Turkey. My husband has been asked to
organize a new agricultural college here. He works
very hard but we are all happy and love here. We
never hear from Virginia, though we miss her very
much. We wish you a very happy christmas and a
merry new year.
Berlin. June 8, 1954.To Miss Ginny Anderson.
1002 East College Street. Iowa City Iowa. USA.
Lil' Doll Baby ! Got a letter off to you a few
minutes ago and one yesterday too--when the blurb
runs in the papers, you'll have the Dick Tracys
from D.C. checking on you, if they aren't already.
Love, Don
Napoleon's Apartment. Germany.
Greetings from the Hapsburg Palace. Having a
fine time. Hope you are all very well. tomorrow
Copenhagen & Stockholm next. Love, Ginny
Hamburg. 1954.
Arrived in Hamburg 3 hours late. Don met me here
since there were absolutely no flights open to
Frankfurt. We are taking the train to Frankfurt.
We'll be married as soon as we can arrange things
in Frankfurt & we'll be flying home in 30 days.
It's really cool here-wish I had brought gray suit.
Feel fine, very tired and very happy. Hope you are
all well. Love, Ginny.
postcard from Frankfurt, Germany
Being married today at 3:30. I wrote a check for
$100.00 and it will be short about $40.00 I think.
Could you cover it for us til we get home since Don
doesn't get paid til we get to Paris ? I'm going
crazy with arrangements this morning. More later.
Love, Ginny.
1954. Kronberg Castle in Germany.
near Frankfurt.
Dear Mother- I just cashed another $100.00 check
on your name in order to buy a camera that Almeda
asked Don to get. We're leaving for Paris tonight
& when I get to Washington I'll send $140.00 to
you. Hope this is okay but we were sort of pressed
until we get to Paris & Don's office. Love,
Ginny.
1954. Kronberg Castle in Germany.
Letter follows as soon as I can describe it all.
Honeymooning in this lovely old castle-golf course
and all. Saturday to Paris for 4 days & then to
Lisbon for 2 days then flying to Bermuda for 2 days
& so to Washington for 4 days at least. Then
may go to Dallas before Iowa since Don has business
right away there. So far we don't know how much
leave Don has but we hope 9? months in the US
before Cairo. Ceremony & reception were lovely
& never been happier ! Hope you're all well.
Love, Ginny Currey.
postcard of L'Absinthe by Degas. 1954.
postmarked Lisboa.
Scenes of happy marriage in Paris ! Leaving in a
few minutes for Lisbon. Spent lovely days in
Paris-bought two hats ! Expect to be in Washington
tuesday night. Paris is really expensive these
days-we'll be better off at home ! Hope the heat
has not hit you too hard. Love, Ginny.
July 27, 1954. Washington DC
In the air on the way to DC. Arrive NY 6 PM
after lovely 1 1/2 days in Bermuda. Had horrible
weather from Lisbon -sick as a dog & steward
broke rib. Baggage flew all over ! were both glad
to be back in "land of the big PX and the blond
blue eyed gooks". Bermuda was perfect ! Lovely
beach breezes, blue water and white sand. Will know
soon when and how long you can expect us. Much
love, Gin.
postmarked Flushing NY. October 22, 1954.
postage .04 cents.
lovely breakfast on plane-boarded at 7 &
will land in NY at 11:00 ! that's travelling-400
mph. feel fine & enjoying everything. Got a
record player & kitchen utensils for gifts
yesterday. Love, Gin & Don.
June 7, 1955. Tripoli.
postmarked Army-Air Force Postal Service.
Leaving hospital tomorrow & back to Cairo.
We are seriously considering coming back to US this
summer - and don't laugh - I'm going to work my
hubby thru college ! yep - Don wants to study
geology & if we can get GI bill - we just may
do it ! We hope Harvard or MIT in Boston. In any
case, this courier life is not for marriage. Would
you find out Norma Lennarson's married name &
address in Boston & send it to me as I want to
write her about housing, etc. in Boston. Also
summer whereabouts of Donna Olson Henderson ? They
are at Harvard, too. I feel fine, but still tire
easily. Have healed up almost and well. Main
trouble is mental - I just feel as though I've
wasted 9 months & I cry sometimes when I think
of our little J.C. If we come back this summer, I
certainly plan to spend some time on the farm. Have
had lots of nice letters from everybody & will
write all when I've time. Hope you are all well.
--Just now got your letter - hope this is good news
! Love, Ginny.
1955. postmarked Marseille.
Having a fine time leisurely trip home. Today we
are renting a car and driving along the Riviera. I
feel pretty good, weak, but able to swim in ship's
pool & am getting a nice tan. Lots of nice
people aboard. Plans are still indefinite pending
arrival in NY & learning verdict from Harvard.
We had a lovely day on Capri & a day in
Florence yesterday. Don is gaining on the ship and
I'm trying to lose-hope you are all fine. See you
soon, I hope. Love, Ginny.
2511 Anzio Drive. Dallas.
Spent yesterday, 100 degrees in the middle of
hot dusty cotton field next to noisy rig drilling
for that black stuff. Tomorrow will know if it's a
good one or a dry hole ! Real exciting, but so
damned hot. Love, Gin.
postmarked Dallas, Texas. August 16,1955.
addressed to Paul only.
Have temporary typing job for a month. Hoping
for teaching job at SMU to come thru. We bought a
1955 Ford - white ! - got it wholesale from Don's
uncle-but that's still expensive ! Got the cheapest
model, figuring if all goes well we can trade next
year- if it does, we'll be glad payments are low as
they are ! Our effects still aren't here so
housekeeping is a little difficult. Feel all right
but these 8-5 jobs are for the birds. Love,
Ginny.
September 13, 1955. Dallas, Texas
Busy as can be. Am helping with registration
this week & begin teaching on Monday. Have a
heavy load of four classes but I hope I can manage.
Shopped for some new clothes saturday & will do
some more tonight. Still have no living room
furniture but we'll manage in time. I had all the
in-laws to dinner on saturday- borrowed chairs from
our nice landlady. Hope Dad is coming along ok
& that you're feeling fine too, Mom. We're
fine. Love, G.
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