Sailors on Yellow Bicycles

Atlantic. Moderately rough. Fully recovered. Both eating well again. By a week from today this trip should have been full circle and we should be back in N.Y. snugly tucked into some hotel - we hope! Whenever I spank Sandy now he says, "I'm gonna tell our Daddy you've been rude to me."

In the Atlantic - Rough!!! Sea Sick!!! All day

Casa Blanca - North Africa. Hot & clear. Took Sandy and went into town this morning & wandered forever it seemed & all we bought was a pocketbook for me. We got back to the ship at lunch time. Mighty glad to be back too - don't know which smelled worse the natives or the horses. Due to sail for Newfoundland at 8 p.m.

Off the coast of Africa. Stormy. Rough all day - but what a night!! Scared everyone skinny. Water in the passageway on C deck. EVeryone sick. By next morning it was clear & calm again. Due to see Gibraltar today - also arrive in N.Y. on the 26th now - Happy Day!!!

At sea - 4 hours from Trieste. Cloudy & cool Landed yesterday at 10 a.m. in Trieste. Bands were playing & Sam met us. Oh my, but we were happy! Bought birthday presents for Sandy & had a grand day. Spent the night in the Grande Hotel and Sam brought us back to the ship this morning at 8 a.m. We sailed at 10 a.m. and I have felt so blue since then that I nearly cry every time I think of him. Golly, but I love that guy & miss him.

Between Pirias & Trieste. Chilly. Rain & lightning and wind all nite last night but the ship wasn't uncomfortable. Good sleeping. This morning all fresh & clear and cold. Sandy & I spent the morning on B deck getting fresh air. Tomorrow we see Sam! Sposed to be in Trieste early in the morning.

Pirias, Greece. Cold. Arrived in Greece at about 8:30 a.m.. Watched the husbands and wives meet each other and sure missed Sam. Guess we'll see him on Thursday. Sure can't wait. It's cold here in Greece. Guess we'll go on the tour this afternoon to see what there is to see here. Wish we'd leave right away and get started again - would like to go in & go shopping tho. Went on the tour, visited the Acropolis etc. Very interesting but actually just another pile of ruins to moon over. Sandy loved every minute of it and afterwards he & I went shopping & bought him a pair of slippers like the Greek guides wear with pompoms on them. So he's happy. Guess we're supposed to leave at 6 a.m. tomorrow.

Between Naples & Malta. Moderate sea - warm. Came on board yesterday and Sam's friends were very nice about getting Sandy & me a cabin we didn't have to share. We have a porthole too. Nearly died when we left Sam in Naples. Such a terrible lonesome feeling. But I keep thinking after all, he's gonna meet us in Trieste again! Slept horribly last night, both of us in the same bunk. But I was afraid of getting sick if I went in the top one & surely wouldn't trust him in an upper. So we really had it for sure. Supposed to see Malta today, Pyrhuss, Greece on Monday & Trieste Wednesday.

Rome, Italy. Warm but very much Fall... Expected to leave yesterday for Naples and board the ship today, but at the last minute word was received that the ship would arrive on the 4th, so as of right now expect to leave tomorrow in the early A.M. for Naples & sail Thursday. However, due to an extra stop are not sure yet of exact sailing date. All of which leaves us hanging in mid air with suit cases half packed, all poised to leave but not sure of anything.

Rome. [No entries in diary.....]

Trieste. Clear & warm. Stayed at the Grande Hotel, taken over by the Army. Did we ever relax! American people! American food! American beer!. Dancing at night, dinner on the US Leery, a destroyer, a Navy dance, shopping at the PX, where you could get anything sold in Venice & Florence for about 1/2 price, ice cream - it was wonderful! The hotel room looked out over the Adriatic and was so nice. Left on the sleeper on the 22nd - never will figure out how a train can go so fast yet take 12 hours from Trieste to Rome which is just over 500 miles. Only God and the Italians know that. Anyway it was a rough 12 hour ride. Hated to leave Trieste too - but we are home now.

Venice. Warm - Venice looks exactly like all the pictures except for the motor boats which ruin the effect. Stayed at the Continental Hotel (best we could do because of huge crowds). Sandy adored the gondolas, as who doesn't? We went to the glass factory and walked from one side to the other of town. Gaped at the fabulous things in the stores around St. Marco square - and ate dinner one night on the canal where the lovely scent drifted in!! That's one thing not in pictures. Left on August 15 for Trieste.

Florence. Mild. Arrived in Florence at noon from Rome. Stayed at Hotel Roma. Stayed only 2 days but saw every nook & cranny. Ponte Vecchio, the rebuilding, the Duomo, Petti Palace, Bobolo Gardens and the beautiful hand sewing they do. Left exhausted for Venice.

Castle Gondolfo. Clear & hot. Took one of those wild trains all over the mountains to Castle Gondolfo, the Pope's summer home. It was one of the few places we haven't cared for - ate lunch at the hotel on a terrace overlooking the lago - It looks lovely from a distance. At one time it was a volcano - then springs poured in forming the lake.

Frascati & Monte Compatri. Hot & clear. Went first to Frascati and then Alfredo took us on the bus to Monte Compatri - ate a delicious meal of spaghetti and scallopine, then hiked first to the Internation Rescue Home for Italian children and then up to San Silvestro Monastary on top of a moutain. It's 2,000 meters up! It was simply beautiful. Went back down & ate and watched the people in the town carry water from the fountain in huge copper urns on their heads. Usually one on their head and one on their hip. Got home about 8:30 very tired - brought 4 bottles of Frascati Superiore home with us.

Formia - Hotel Miramare. Clear & hot. Very lovely place. The beach has near white sand and cabanas. There's a terrace for dancing, a bar and a lovely restaurant. Stayed Saturday & Sunday - very good food. Railroad - 1 1/2 hours. 2nd class, 1, 440 lire round trip apiece. Room - 2,500 lire including Sandy's bed.

Frascati, Italy. Hot & Fair Took a daring bus ride to Frascati - went to Pughese's Cantina to look up a man Daddy knew while here in Rome. They remembered him O.K. and from 11 a.m. until 6:30 p.m. we walked & drank wine. So tired when we got home - but Frascati is a very nice little town.

Rome. Home again. Spent 4 days in Capri instead of going to Pompei and Sorrento. Had the most glorious time of our lives - just lying in the sun, eating, drinking and swimming. Came close to crying when time came to come home - Sandy loved every minute of it. Approximate cost - $80 -$90. [some photos at hotel and on the balconey]

Capri - perfect weather! Salubrious!

Rome. Warms & sunny - clear. Maybe there's a mental quirk somewhere in me that need straightening out. I don't know but it's another one of those days when I'd be so happy if someone said "get dressed up, you're gonna forget for 24 hours that you're a mother and have fun!" Oh Brother! I don't have a minute to call my own. Since December 4, 1950 - all day, every day, every meal - I've been a mother before anything. Oh, for 24 hours!!! Nothing permanent because I adore the little heller, just one day!!

Rome. Cloudy. Count on it as one of life's little vissitudes, I nearly blew my stack toay when Sandy and his friend Greg spent a couple of hours on the terrace. When we went to see how things were coming found to my horror that all the seeds Sam and I had planted in the flower boxes besides half the dirt in them was strewn all over the place - dirt, knee deep and big clots of it down the hall into Sandy's bedroom. Was so mad I could have spit - He never touches them unless his "friend" comes here and that hellion knows perfectly well it's wrong too. So - no movies this week at all.

Rome. Guess the beginning of summer - Nearly go mad trying to keep track of holidays - Sam only worked 3 1/2 days this week. The ones the Italians haven't already made up, we can fill the time with our own. The package from Sears came today, plus Sam's second suit we ordered from Raliegh's and Mom & Dad sent Sandy's shoes. Some red Keds and some dress up whites. Among the things to arrive from Sears were three pairs of overalls. He (Sandy) immediately put them on and since it made him look like a workman, he began gathering hammer & nails and "working" -

Rome. Gorgeous!! The furniture arrived. Sam, Sandy & I nearly passed out, suffering apoplexy. The men delivered it at 6 p.m. then said they return domaine [tomorrow] to open crates etc. Of course we didn't wait - so next morning the only things left for the men to open were the wooden boxes - what fun! There was no major damage done & very little minor damage. They surely did a good packing job.

Rome. Warm & windy If anyone had told me we could possibly be this disgusted & discouraged with a back up - I'm sure we wouldn't have believed it. Maybe in 6 months I'll be able to read this with a grin, but probably by that time we'll be angry about something else. Figure to have the furniture by April 16th now, Oh Lord!

Rome. Still no furniture - It's nice that the new Captain brought his over on the ship with him and the next day it arrived in Rome - while it's going on 4 months we've been waiting - Damn Brass!

Rome - Spring The furniture landed in Naples today. Now all we have to do is eat fingernails until they decide to send it up here.

Rome. Clear & warm Mom & Dad called me from home to wish me Happy Birthday - What a thrill! But was so excited couldn't think of anything to say, then after we said goodbye thought of a million things to say. Sam brought me lots of flowers, a lovely red box and the most beautiful pocket book I ever had - Sandy gave me a leather cigarette case and then Sam took us to dinner and a movie. It was a very nice birthday - except that I'm 28 now - Sounds mighty old!

Rome. Clear & warm Got a letter from Mother telling us she had called N.J. about HHE; they had given her the ETD - ETA. Also got a box with 8 yrds of lovely chambray from Mom & Dad for my birthday. Mary Hall went to the hospital today - very ill - appendectomy & complications. I guess this was all yesterday - skoosie!

Rome. (where else?). Beautiful - has been for a week. St. Joseph's Day - and a half holiday at the Embassy. Found out Mary Hall in the hospital so went to see what we could do. Sam gave her a transfusion. Very sick girl. Mom sent a package with enough lovely cotton for 2 dresses for my birthday - thought it was awfully sweet. Sam not feeling too perky. [Sandy & "friend" at the Zoo]

Rome. Clear & warm Wonder of wonders!!! The HHE left N.J. on or about the 8th of March, shouldn't be more than one more week and we'll have it. Now it's worthwhile staying here & can begin to fix it up a little!!!

Rome. Raining We've just about decided that if the HHE [household effects] don't arrive soon, or date isn't given for shipment that Sandy & I will go home and I'll get a job. It seems senseless to live in an empty apt. and pay $100 per month to do it. At least we'd save money if I was home working. As low as we get, for the first time I'm feeling the pangs of homesickness - that's awful.

Rome. Clear & mild. A great day in the life of the Thiessens! The gas was installed! But no hose to connect the hose to the stove, so we ate ham sandwiches and drank beer. Now, if only we had some furniture!

Monte Cassino. Clear & cold. Went with the Halls up to the monastery on Monte Cassino - for the first time really felt how horrible war must be. To see them determined to rebuild something that looks nearly hopeless makes you realize there certainly must be something greater than just men and war - It is truly a beautiful place tho - The little monk who showed us around was so enthusiastic and so positive that it could be done and so proud of what had been done on the reconstruction that you couldn't help catching some of the optimism. Got home about 9 p.m. and got some pizza and went over to Halls' and ate it. Got home about 11:30 p.m.

Rome. Cold & sunny / cloudy. Still no gas, still no furniture - felt little better today tho. Took Sandy downtown this afternoon - Sam bought ration of cigarettes & tonight we had our coffee in front of the fire. Burned the lumber from the trunk packing. Helped our morale a little tho - felt nice & comfy. In fact it put Sandy to sleep - early for him but lately he's had such odd hours poor little soul. Think I'll go see Mr. Lukas Domaine about the gas, etc. They just can't expect humans to exist much longer under these conditions. The Navy's no help at all in any situation - in fact the officers care less what happens than do the Italians.

Rome. Cloudy - some rain Spent our first day in the new apt. Didn't sleep well last night but Sandy was asleep before Sam had gone out of his bedroom. It's a little difficult this way, since we have no gas we borrowed Hall's hot plate, and Cerese's coffee pot - so this morning Sam & Sandy had cereal & buns and Sam and I had coffee. We decided at 5 to go out & have some cheeseburgers & then ended up seeing a movie I had seen 5 years ago. Went to Buca Del Orde's for pizza & wine and ended up at the Shepherd's; got home at midnight & much tired.

Rome. Rainy We moved into "our New State" apt today. Cmdr. Blocker loaned us a double bed & the Shepherd's a single bed & two blankets. Aside from the dining room furniture that's all we have in the world. Sam bought scads of flowers to decorate the place with, bless his heart. It makes it look so bright. There are violets, mimosa, zinnias & jonquils. Froze last night with only one blanket apiece but guess we'll survive - at least we've got hot water, but no gas -

Rome & Tivoli. Cloudy, rainy, sunny. Went with the Hall's to Tivoli and what a place - can't begin to describe it but it makes my arms have duck bumps to think of a place being so lovely. It rained while we were there but that certainly didn't detract from it. Came back & ate lunch at St. Ignatzio's, then bought drapery material for "our new states apt." Went to Hall's and had several drinks & then home.

Rome. Rainy- chilly. Think Sam & I have reached the bottom of the pit as far as morale is concerned. Expected at least to be a little comfortable over here - Sam rides the buses to & from work & Saturday we're moving into our apt. with two beds & a dining room suite. God knows how long we'll have to live like that. We're both ready to chuck the whole deal - but of course we won't (?)

Rome. Cloud-chilly. Back to the salt mine again - we used steel wool & wax until our knees, backs, arms & shoulders shrieked. The floors look very good - need to be finished, buffed. Looks like a different place alright, but can't see why we had to do it - went to the American Bar & ate 2 cheeseburgers & a botle of beer. We bought a bottle of frascati yesterday and just about polished it off today - felt it too -

Rome. Clear, mild - lovely day. Went to the apt. bright and early today and Perry went with us. We scrubbed, swept, cleaned, steel-wooled and even tho we've more sanding to do it already looks 100% better. The Shepard's came over with 8 small pizzas and the paper - they're so nice. We went out and at in some funny little place and then bought some frascati [wine] & came back - Finished picking up and got home at 7:30. Sandy crawled into bed at 9:00 p.m. with all his clothes on and went to sleep. Sandy told us about the word "as pettare" tonight - he knew what is mean too. He's so funny he sang a new song today it went" "Tico-Tico-Tico- Prego-Prego-Prego" Oh well, it's new & different. He also announced today that he thinks our furniture will be here this week. Odd bits of clairvoyance he picks up now & then - Be funny if it did come in tho - Ha! Funny! I'd be hysterical -

Rome. Clear - Spent the last two days at Shepard's because Millie went to the hospital and Bill thought he might have to fly late so we "took care" of Gregg. Had a lovely time, the food was delicious - What a let down to come home. Sandy called accident "accindent". P.S. - trunk arrived yesterday. Three months from D.C, very good service!! Sam is terribly low and discouraged. I feel terribly sorry for him - he says it looks as though nothings going right.

Rome. Mild, clear - not a cloud. Took off at 10 a.m. on street car & bus with Sam & Sandy for out apt. Saw them install scalda banya & lights. Looked around awhile and at 2:30 went to Buci Del Ardi for lunch then called Shepard's and we all went for a ride out to Ostia Antica - most antique. Went home & had dinner with them then we came back here. They had to see the place because of the way we described it. It was so good to be gone all day tho - Oh man!

Rome. Clear & Mild Went downtown and bought wool for Perry's sweater - came home and ate lunch then took Sandy to Valentine party at church. While he was there Milly & Bill & Sam & I went shopping. I bought 2 berets. Took the kids & went back to Shepard's apt. for a couple of drink then went to Picole Monde for dinner. So good. Went to the American Bar for coffee & ice cream and a man made a sketch of me. Don't think it really looks like me but bought it anyway. Got home about 11 and went to bed.

Rome. Mild & clear (quite a change!) Sandy has been in bed since early Sunday evening. Evidentially the pizza disagreed with both Sandy & Perry they were both awake all nite. Sandy's cough was a lot worse too, so he's been in bed ever since Sunday. His temperature is almost normal so I guess if all goes well he can get up tomorrow. I hope so because I'm slowly going mad. When he's sick he's so good but as soon as he starts recuperating it's hell. Even Sam is getting discouraged on this furniture deal. There's no excuse for it to take this long to receive the household effects, to say nothing of our small trunk, which is still among the missing. There's a ship due in on the 8th that may have our trunk on it and another on the 21st that may have our furniture. Have almost given up all hope, especially after talking to so many people who only waited a month. I guess you don't live right unless covered with brass.

Rome. Cold and rainy. Went to the apt. today thinking the electrician would be there to put in the lights but he'll be there domaine - we hope. Went for a ride with Cerese's to see the villa Perry wants to get. It's hideous from the outside but very pretty inside. There are grape arbors & terraces, a barbecue pit, etc., but without a car it's entirely too far out. Stopped in a funny place for pizza & beer then came on home. Between electricians, scaldi banias, our furniture, Sandy's cough and my rash and this apt. and the food - Well, no wonder I have a rash.

Rome. Clear - rainy- cloudy. Went downtown today. Sam & I wanted to window shop but we didn't have as much fun as usual because we weren't on our own. Came home to lunch and walked over to the American Academy. The Carroll's went to the States for a month but we went into the studio of a sculptor and talked awhile. He was very interesting. Went out & bought fixtures for the apartment and then stopped at Cerese's. They moved in today. The Shepard's met us there and we all went out for dinner to a grand little restaurant - had pizza, steak & salad then we went back to Shepard's for cake & coffee. Had a drink & cam home about midnight. Name of restaurant was Brici del Erde.

Rome. Clear-cool, afternoon rainy-cool. Went and looked at the dining room furninture Sam picked out; liked it very much so guess we'll get it. It's oak & some sort of wicker. Stopped and went into the Pantheon, got so angry when I saw how they stripped it to put all the magnificent things in St. Peters. You'd think they wouldn't want them since they were built as monuments to heathen gods & goddesses but evidentally nothing been tainted if it's a pricelss article. Came home and took a short nap then read some history of Rome. Must dress now, going to have dinner with the Halls tonight. Got two letters today. One from Nana, can't understand why the mail comes in bunches, oh well, as long as we get it that's all that's necessary.

Rome. Clear. cloudy, rainy & chilly. Went shopping with Mary Hall. I didn't buy anything. Then went out to Ciampino Airport and intend to go back and see the catacombs again soon. We passed them today. Came back from the airport via Via Appia Antico. The old Via Appia road is under the new one & in places where the new one is worn the old one still shows thru. It's a very narrow road, almost like a lane with huge piles of rocks on both sides that are supposed to mark old graves. Also passed the ruins of the place where Nero is supposed to have fiddled while Rome is supposed to have burned. But I still don't see how buildings made of marble & stone could have burned - Oh well, live & learn. My rash is no better but on the other hand I don't think it's any worse. The medicine for my cough is liquid TNT.

Rome. Rainy, cloudy. Helped Millie Shepard teach Sunday school today. Sandy is darling there & loves it - but after we got home he reminded me thay they hadn't said any prayers - Oh Lord! Spent all day long in this dungeon. Sandy & Perry went for a long walk to the river & back then they found a carnival. Such adventures they had, the way Sandy tells it. He squeezes everything he can out of every outing - loves all of them. Came home with mud all over his shoes, he was a disgrace. Sure will be glad when we can get out of this gloomy place. The only way you can tell whether it's hot or cold outside is to actualy go out. It's always cold in here. Want to find out about my rash tomorrow - it's spreading. Wouldn't it be funny if it was chicken pox? Funny?

Rome. Rainy - chilly. Sam took Sandy over to the Shepard's to play with Greg and then he & I went to Virginia McGonigle's for lunch. She has a lovely place and is a very nice person. We had a nice luncheon, couple of drinks and didn't leave until 5 p.m. Went back to get Sandy, determined not to eat another meal that Assunte cooked without a breather of good food - just food in fact. So the Shepards went with us to Tres Scaline (Three Steps). We had much olive oil & much chow - good!! Canneloni, salad, steak & wine - felt so good to enjoy the food & not just eat to be filling my tummy. Sandy had a wonderful time playing cowboys all day - was so tired when we got home.

Rome. Raining. Today was enough to make anyone morbid. I guess Sandy and I have just spent too much time together - after all it's been night and day - day in and day out since the first part of November with nor respite. My nerves are completely shot. No word on the lost trunk, no word on the furniture. We still haven't stirred from here except to see ruins and those 3 times we've been out - I almost wish I could take a job up at the Embassy. It would be better than dry rotting here all day alone. I'm putting on weight and hating the damn food the maid cooks - she's a lousy cook. Hate living by the clock. God - hasn't anyone a new idea or something? My cold is horrible, coughing sneezing, my neck's broken out and I have 2 hickies - Sandy saw a picture of a mountain with the Sun shining on it today. It was of Caracas, Venezuela. He said, "Oh look, there's Gibraltar" - what a memory.

Rome. Clear - mild. You could smell spring in the air today - It was a lovely day. Sandy and I decided to take off on our own and went downtown. We didn't have any trouble at all got off at Piazza Barbarini and walked up to the Embassy so that Sam would wait & bring us home. When we walked must admit we stayed pretty close to there tho. Via Tritone, Via Barbarini and no further. Bought an Italian Pinnochio book and a little Italian Bear story for Sandy, and wool for a sweater for Sam. Went to a dinner party given as farewell to Smith, whom Sam relieved - Turkey and trimmings, it was good. Left at about midnight - Can't understand why some of them even went they don't like the Lt. who gave it at all & I can't say I blame them. But we had a pretty good time. I'm coming down with another cold - feel lousy.

Rome. Clear & mild Really went sightseeing today - went to church first, Sandy only put one of the pieces of money in the collection box, said he was gonna save the rest til next Sunday. Can you imagine putting 5 lire into the collection box! After church we went first to the Foro Italico, the Olympic Stadium built by Mussolini. It is lovely there are 60 statues depicting various sports - Just recently they required that all of them be made decent with fig leaves. It's obvious that they're brand new. Can't get over the fact that it's not used for something really big. From there we went to the Roman Forum and the coliseum. First time I have been in the coliseum - my what a feeling of insignificance and time void it makes you feel. Some of the ruins really seem to make you go back thru those two thousand years, for others there doesn't seem to be much meaning - just a wall, or part of a wall. Went to St. Peters too, but it was too late to go in. All closed. What ...

Rome. Clear, cool Took Sandy out this morning to the city - We bought him an "Italian" Indian and horse & Perry bought some dolls for his neices and nephews. Then we went over to the apartment and measured windows etc.. Like the place more everytime I see it. We had a slight accident coming home - a couple of fellows on a motorbike tried to go right thru the back of the car. One of them was thrown against the back of the car. We had to stop suddenly because another fellow slipped in front of the car. We took the hurt one to the hospital - his leg was only fractured - but such moaning you never heard. Then he told the Dr. he wasn't hurt badly. Oh, these people! The Dr. charged him 30 cents. Sandy calls electric light bulbs "bobs". Looked at overhead electric fixtures - they're terrible here! Think we found a fairly plain one tho - only $18.00 oh Lord!