My diary - January 22-24, 1973

My Mom and her sister, Helen Metz

January 22, 1973 Mon.

Dear Smiley:

Got up late. Father Botzman caught us in our P.J.’s. Becky washed my hair & I washed hers. Mom & Dad went to Bob’s etc. Watched T.V. Missy Called. I got 3 letters today. 2  from Missy & 1 Simone. Loads of people came tonight! Father Botzman, (Larry & kids, Kay & Aunt Liz), (Aunt Mary & Babe), Aunt (Helen & Uncle Norm), (Jim & Mary Beth).

BYE!!!!

Note: We had to go down to my grandparents' scary, large basement to wash our hair. We used a big laundry sink. It was an ordeal. Mom got us some Suave Strawberry Essence Shampoo, which made it a sweeter job. It was so much easier having Becky there with me.

A lot of family came to say goodbye to us, which was bittersweet.

It was exciting to get letters from Missy and Simone!

My favorite shampoo in the 1970's

January 23, 1973 Tues.

Dear Smiley:

Got up early! We had to leave Cleveland today. It was sad to leave Grandma & Grandpa but we left. We 1st left on United to Miami. From Miami we went on a 747 Pan Am Jet to Panama. We are going to stay in Panama till Thurs. Some stewardesses came over. We kids ate downstair in coffee shop by ourselves.

BYE!!

Note: It was always sad to leave. Being a worrier, I always wondered if I would see them again.

We made it to Miami without any problems, and it was thrilling to fly on a 747 to Panama.

One of the stewardesses (flight attendants) was Kathy McGrath. Her husband Bob was a flight engineer, and they became great family friends.

Kathy McGrath and my Dad

January 24, 1973, Wed.

Dear Smiley:

Wow!!! UNFORGETABLE DAY! I got up grouchy. Swam a bit ate lunch. Watched Esmeralda. I took a small swim & went for a walk by the tennis court. This guy named Willie asked me to play tennis with him (was married & 3 yr. son with him). We  played quite  a bit (me in bikini) & then he had to go. There was this guy watching us played so Willie asked him if he wanted to play with me. Well he did. His name was Brasid, 23 yr. handsome has the devil. Soccer professional player. Played in Munich Olympics. Spoke little English but we understood each other a bit. Taller than me, curly black hair, moustache! Wow!!! Thought I was 17-18. Willie thought I was a stewardess. Life is beautiful!!!

BYE!!!

Note: It’s funny, I remember myself as being shy, but here I am being quite the flirt.

It was thrilling to play tennis with a handsome Olympic soccer player. Being 15, it was wonderful when anyone thought I was older. Alas, now it would be lovely to be thought younger than my years. I am curious. Have any of you felt like that?

Sadly, tragedy struck the 1972 Munich Olympics, where 11 Israelis were killed by terrorists, and it was broadcast live around the world. 

Newspaper article about the tragedy at the 1972 Munich Olympics

January 22 Mon (David’s Diary)

Nicoli Telsa = be Neil or O’ Neil

Dear Snoop, today was a pretty good day. I got up at about 8:00, maybe 8:30. I skipped breakf. And took Fritz for a short walk when I went and bought milk. Mom and I went out to eat all the way to Chagrin Falls. We watched TV a lot. Tomorrow we leave to Panama and stay there ‘till Thurs. School starts Mon. in Elementary.  The Del Rignos visited. Uncle Norm, Aunt Helen, Jim and Mary Beth, and father Boltzman and Mary. We played a bit with Larry and Danny. Beck and Sue were nice today. Well before all that I bought milk again and later root beer. With that change I bought two chocolates for Red. I helped Red today. Hurt my elbow.

Note: By starting school in "Elementary” I meant the elementary buildings that we would ‘time share’ with elementary classes as our high school building had collapsed in the earthquake. Tesla reference I believe was referring  to John J. O’Neill  who penned the biography “Prodigal Genius: The Life of Nikola Tesla".

First published in 1944 and then again in 2006

January 23 Tuesday (David’s Diary)

Howdy Snoopy, Sick. I had to get up at 6:00 in the morning. We left for the airport at 7:45. Grandma and Gramp were pretty sad.  We went to Miami first class on a DC 10. I barely got out of the seat once. I’ve almost finished it. Then after being in Miami a bit, we left for Panama in a 747 PanAm . (DC-10 = United).  I was pretty junky. Upstairs it was nice.  Dad saw many old friends.  We got through customs without getting checked. We stayed in the La Siesta Hotel.  They forgot to reserve the rooms. We finally got then. Mom was mad. I went swimming alone. Took a shower and the crew came over. Well that’s all. Bye.

Note: A very matter of fact recount of the day. I wonder what I almost finished on the flight to Miami. The Tesla biography?

Pan American 747

January 24 Wed (David’s Diary)

Dear Snoopy, today was a cool day. I got up at about 10:00. I didn’t remember where I was. Ma and Dad were out in the sun and I joined them. I swam a lot. Played catch with Dad. Beck got out later the Sue. I played a  little Ping Pong. I skipped lunch. Had a lousy club sandwich for  B.Fast. Sue disappeared today. We finally found her at the tennis court with an Italiano, Munich football player. Dad bawled me out a bit but it really wasn’t my fault. We ate out. Had delicious spagetti and ceviche and cheese cakes (pie). Dad had two stewardesses over. Well I guess I’ll go to sleep early.

Note: I barely recall the incident with Susie and the tennis court. It’s possible that she asked me to stay  away and that’s why I got some blame. I recall the football player as being and adult and quite a bit older than Susie.

David's Diary