We are going to Alem Maya University today. Will fly to Dire Dawa and car will meet us and we will drive back, returning on Monday. All going well, team gets along well. I probably am taking more of lead than I should but that’s my style. Weather perfect here . Hope all will with you.
Love, Bill
Monk from monastery of Debra Dam, Ethiopia
January 1966
It was nice to hear from you. Pep is leading an Agriculture Edu. mission of FAO at the request of the Ethiopian govt. Thanks again for pulling him out of the Univ. of Minnesota. He said in 1958 if they had asked him to do what he is doing now he wouldn’t be able to without his experiences. It’s summertime here. I’m enjoying the weather, relaxing and having a wonderful holiday. The people are friendly. It is so different from other places.
Love, Pep and Ay
1986
I arrived on schedule and was met at airport. Got a couple hours sleep at hotel in London and have had a nap today. Will go to the World Bank, Res. Rep’s home tonight and have tomorrow to read and relax before starting schedule on Monday. Weather is just like Mpls. Very nice.
Love, Bill
Oct 1989
All goes well here, I will fly to Dire Dawa tomorrow to visit the Alemaya agricultural university and then return by car. A four day trip.
Later a four day trip to the Southern part of the country.
Love, Bill
Deacon of the Ethopian Orthodox Church
1985
Greetings from Addis! I hope your trip to California and the cruise were wonderful!!
Will see you soon!
Love, Bill
Semien Fox Bale Mountains National Park
May 1986
I had my first meetings today and all went well. I am well received. Starting tomorrow I will start visiting research stations and will be traveling until Saturday.
For now, Love, Bill
The Saddle Cloth Suk
October, 1986
I had a good trip to the East and this weekend will travel to the South Central region. Weather is very nice! Saw lots of camels on the trip east. After the 1st of Nov. we will be in Addis for the balance of our time here.
Cavalieri Hilton …minutes from the heart of Rome, with a unique view from the magnificent 15 acres estate on Monte Mario.
Villa Carlotta on Lake Como, Italy
Genoa
January 1973
We are in Genoa waiting for the train to take us on our way to St Raphael, France. This is such an interesting city – walked down to the docks yesterday aft. and saw the huge ships coming and going. Just great! Everybody seems to be getting along fine – so far!! Steve even told Va. he was glad he had come!!!! We hated to leave Switzerland – it is so beautiful.. but every new thing we see is great!! Food is good. The kids have lived on spaghetti!! They love it!
Love, Jean
The Coliseum, Rome, 1973
Lago Maggiore, 1976
This is where Pa has finally returned to! This is all we see from the windows of the house – quite unbelievable! The water is a little cold for me but the weather is good. Warmest greetings to you.
Lanna
Florence, 1969
Piazza Signoria e Loggia dell Orcagna
I love this piazza. Spent many hours there.
San Rafael, France June 1973
We are here in a nice hotel right on a truly beautiful beach. We spent from 8:30 am till about 3 pm on the train from Genoa – thru Monte Carlo – along the mediterranean. very impressive. We’ll be here 2 days so can rest and enjoy the beach and beauty. All ok.
Love, Dede
Fountain of Square of Spanish Trinity of Mount
Rome, 1968
We arrive Saturday night in Rome after a lovely drive through the south of France. Rome is incredible beautiful and we are very happy with Eduardo’s family and my sister. I hope everything is all right in Mexico. How was Tom’s graduation? Give my regards to Bill when he comes back. My sister is very busy with her exams but I hope she will be finished on Friday.
Love, Stella
Rio and Greeks’ bridge
Venice, June 1968
After some delay getting visas for Hungary in Rome, we came to this beautiful Venice – crowded with German tourists. Will take the train for Budapest tomorrow morning; Sheila will come along for four or five days and then fly back to Mexico via London. Hope your African safari went all well!
Best Regards, Stella
Panorama from Boboli’s garden
Florence, August, 1984
The Pantheon
Rome, August, 1972
Dear Friends
It is hard to believe I’m in Italy – we flew over to be with Gay on her 2 weeks vacation after working at the US Embassy for a month – Rome is a fabulous city with its ruins, museums, parks, fountains, pines, etc. We drove to Florence yesterday and it is a most interesting historical city also. We are going to Venice before flying back to Washington together.
Best wishes
Ravenna, S. Apollinare Nuovo, mosaic 6th century Christ separating the sheep from the goats
Ravenna, S. Vitale, mosaic 6th century The sacrifice of Abel and Melchisedec
We are having a great time here in Fiji. the beach and everything are just great. No waves for surfing but the water is just right. Why don’t you phone us some evening soon after we get home – or Va will call you.
Love, Bill
Elizabeth. Dressed in her Sunday best, Elizabeth finds pleasure in picking and displaying Hibiscus flowers.
July 1982
Dear Kathy
This is my fourth trip to Fiji and I expect to be back here one more time this year. So I must like it, which I do. On this trip I’ll visit the main parts I haven’t visited before.
See you soon.
Love, Bill
Vani – Portrait of an old Fijian lady from Moturiki Island, Fiji
July 1982
All goes well, some of us are off to Vanuatu and Taveuni tomorrow for a week. We have had rain every day so no tennis. We are hopeful that when we come together again o the 27th that the sun will appear.
Love, Bill
The Ratu – A Fijian chief in full traditional ceremonial dress made of masa (tapa cloth)
Treasure Island, Fiji
April, 1981
I did not get a chance to visit this island this trip but it is the one I visited by sailing ship in 1970. Fiji is very nice! I would like to come back and spend a holiday here.
Love, Bill
16 km south west of Lautoka, Treasure Island is casual elegance in lush, tropical surroundings. Ultra-modern Fijian accommodation with private beach and lagoon view.
So far so good – only about 30 min. late. had an interesting seat partner (man) and we visited so much I didn’t read my magazine – Canadian with lots of interest in life.
For now – Love, Bill
1972
Hotel Avila, Caracas, Venezuela
Caracas’ most distinguished hotel
Museo Bolivariano
1975
Dear V
It’s good to be back again. We were in Bogota one week also. Lots of change here. Thousands of new autopista’s, casas and edificios. Bob is working 6 weeks at the Pedegogico Evaluation and doing research for a chapter on Students and Politics. Rodolfo is here also. We called Ruth and said Hi. Funny isn’t it. We took an apt at Macuto for 1 month. Move in Sat. Anthony is here also.
Love to all, Nita and Bob
Avenida de Los Proceres
May 1966
Dear
I hope this reaches you before I do. I arrived here late last night and my bag did not arrive. It wont get here until Thursday night. I am really discouraged with PAA!!
Love, Bill
Hotel Macuto-Sheraton
Hi
Made it here OK and have my flight confirmed to Port of Spain for 8:00 am tomorrow. Will hope to get in Hilton.
Love, Bill
University City, Caracas
January, 1966
National Library, Caracas
April 1966
The conference in Maracay is over and I think was very interesting. I will tell you about it when I return to Mexico about the 9th of May. Hopefully I will find a little time to spend in the county-side before then.
Kin-na-ri (mythological half-man half-bird) in front of Thebdidon royal pantheon.
Thai Royal State Barge, Bankgok
Wat Arun Temple of Dawn, Bangkok, Thailand
The image of the Emerald Buddha under Summer season attire inside Wat Phra Keo at the Royal Place grounds, Bangkok.
1982 The Emerald Buddha Temple at night during the time of Bangkok Bicentennial
The Prasart-pradiep-bidorn in the Emerald Buddha Temple, Bangkok, Thailand
A giant standing on the ground of the Emerald Buddha Temple, Bangkok, Thailand.
The Throne with four posts and supporting a roof with spire on the grounds of the Emerald Buddha Temple, Bangkok, Thailand
February 1985
Happy Valentine’s Day!
Do these dancers look kind of familiar to you? We saw a dancing show yesterday – many of same steps you learned. Bill took lots of pictures! It is to be 96 degrees here today. We joined the worshipers a the Temple of the Emerald Buddha yesterday – very impressive.
Tomorrow (Bill’s birthday) we leave for Singapore for 2 days. Have a good weekend! Love and Kisses, Mom
“Finger Nail Dance” one of the most beautiful Thai Classical Dances
October 198?
The trip over was long as usual. Got in about 11:00 pm. Just bit late. I am just lying by the pool and resting.
This hotel is very nice about like the Mandarin in Jakarta in many ways but with a larger pool!
All OK so far. Will write regularly. Love, Bill
The Regent Bangkok, Thailand
August 1989
Good to visit old friends – not enough time. Came for the 30th anniversary of AIT – many ceremonies, graduation, even lunch and inner with the Princess. On to Hong Kong for a few days then home. Am afraid La Jolla will be too dull for words after all this excitement.
Love Bob and Gunta
February 1982
We visited here yesterday and it is all being refinished but still magnificent. We were met by Bob and Gunta on arrival and spent the day with them. They send you greetings.
Today we will shop, rest, sun and tonight travel to Karachi. It is HOT here.
Love, Bill and Va
The Emerald Buddha Temple, Bangkok
April 1988
This is such a fun place. We are mesmerized by the river traffic in front of our hotel. My new suit is heavy black silk for winter, but not for your wedding! Wish you were here.
Love, Va
The Royal Barge Procession for the Royal Kathin Ceremony at Wat Arun, Bangkok. Thailand’s fabulous royal barges will form a stately procession to transport His Majesty the King to Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn) where His Majesty will present saffron robes to the monastic community.
January 1967
Hi
Arrived Bangkok on schedule in AM. Just checking in hotel. All still looks interesting.
Love, Bill
February, 1989
Dear
Greetings from lovely warm Bangkok. I hope all continues to go well in Moscow.
We go to Chiang Mai tomorrow, where I have never been before, and then back here Sunday Evening. I hope you are all warm and cozy.
Love
The Oriental Hotel, circa 1876
July 1987
Dear
The original part of the hotel still looks like this but they have a modern, lovely hotel around it. It is still one of my favorite places in the world. The flight over was long! 24 hours! With stops in S.F and Tokyo. Saw three movies – The Tin Men, Hoosiers and Burglars on the plane. Burglars was good.
Take care
July 1988
This should reach you by the time of your birthday! Happy Birthday! Our hotel is lovely! Looks quite different now than in this photo but this is more or less as it was when we first stayed here in the 50’s. Hope all is well and your trip to Boston is fine. I am having a new silk suit made.
Love
February 1990
Hi
We all met as planned at airport about midnite last nite (24 hour trip – tired). This hotel (the new version) is just gorgeous and comfortable – we are impressed. We had big slabs of papaya for breakfast in the sun along the river. Wish you were here.
Love
The Oriental, Bangkok, Circa 1876
From its earliest origin as a rest house for western adventurers, The Oriental has stood for quality of life that made it an oasis midst the hub-bub that prevails all about. As it was over 100 year ago, so it is today.
Giant Guardians at the Wat Arun (Temple of Dawa), Bangkok, Thailand
February, 1970
Dear
Greetings to you on my birthday. We are at airport waiting for plane to Singapore. I have found Bangkok and the people to be great as I expected. See you next month.
The day has finally come. It feels like I have been working on this book forever.
But now, here it is!
I have set up some pages to go with the book. Lots of pictures and videos. Praise from readers. And info on where to get it. Also info on how to get a review copy. Click on Much More Info below or on Echoes of a Global Life in the menu above.
ECHOES OF A GLOBAL LIFE by Kathleen Gamble A story of survival from Burma to Moscow and beyond. Memoir. Travel stories. Living in interesting times.
Echoes of a Global Life is part memoir, part travelogue, part history lesson. Kathleen lives in a world of constant change. Moving from city to city she says goodbye to one and starts to explore the next. Never two the same. She is a survivor. She keeps on going. Through trauma, including a plane crash, and other scary times, there is also humor. Kathleen was born in Asia and lived on five continents before she was eighteen. She takes you to Burma, USA, Mexico, Colombia, Nigeria, Switzerland, and Russia. She weaves in parts of each country she carries with her. Her family lives through a coup in Burma, student rioting in Colombia, two coups in Nigeria, and political unrest in Russia. Sometimes things are fabulous. Sometimes they are not. She is a Third Culture Kid, rootless and restless. As an adult she lived in Moscow for nine years during the 1990’s where she witnessed history in the making and a terrifying exit. Life is never boring.
