My diary - July 17-19, 1972

First day of Kindergarten in Colombia. Check out my cool lunchbox

Barranquilla is on the north coast of Colombia

July 17, 1972  Mon.

Dear Flowers:

The maids are back. I got up at 10:00. Ate breakfast. Talked to Anja on the phone. Got dressed. Watched T.V. Daddy’s leaving today to Panama & Barranquila. Becky rolled her hair & it came out great!!! I went over to Simmons. I don’t think we have to much in common. I wrote Missy a letter. David sleeps with Mom tonight. I watched T.V. Pray that Dad has a safe trip.

BYE!!

Note: We had a fabulous cook. She took a lot of pride in her cooking but she would not let me into her kitchen to learn any of her techniques. I wish I learned some of her specialities but alas it was not to be.

Barranquilla, Colombia, is where we moved during my kindergarten year. This is where I learned Spanish. I went to Colegio Marymount where at the time I was one of the only students from the U.S. I had to learn Spanish very quickly!

July 18, 1972 Tues.

Dear Flowers:

I got up late. I didnt go the the super with mom. Watched T.V. After lunch, Becky tried on some of my clothes & so did I to find which ones still fitted me. Becky, well at lest me are thinking of exchanging clothes since were both size 11. I put on some red lipstick I look silly. Mom & I looked through shells & got rid of some (a waste basketfull). I sleep with Mom tonight. I read on ”Never Call it Loving.” Wrote Mr. Mrs. McClung a thank-you card for the money they sent me for my birthday.

BYE!!!

Note: What fun going through clothes with Becky. When we were younger, Mom dressed us alike which was a problem when I outgrew something it went to Becky and she already had the exact outfit. She was not thrilled. 

I still don’t feel comfortable in red lipstick. It still feels silly.

We had lots of pretty shells from different beaches. We got rid of the ones that were broken or we had a lot of.

Mrs. McClung was my Confirmation Godmother and always remembered me on my birthday. They left Managua to go to Costa Rica.  After her husband’s retirement they moved back to their home town in Montana.

July 19, 1972  Wed.

Dear Flowers:

Hi! We got up early. We went to the Country Club. Mom bowled & I swam. I wore my bikini. I met some girls there. 2 girls from states (1 an exchange student; other on vacation with Nica) & the Forster Family. Oldest Helen, Dutch 20 yrs, Debbie 15 minus 4 days. I finally finished “Never Call It Loving.” I took a bath; Mom rolled part of my head. Watched T.V. Becky sleeped with Mom.

BYE!!

Note: I wonder what I meant by Mom only rolling part of my head. She would roll my hair in pin curls patiently.  She would put Dippity-do to make it less frizzy and to hold the curl. My hair however had a mind of it’s own. It still does!

The Nejapa Country Club had a six lane bowling alley which was fun to use. Mom & Dad had their own bowling balls. We kids just used the house balls. I remember Mom bought me some blue suede bowling shoes as I had big and narrow feet (size 9). Trevor wore them in elementary to play Elvis in a music video.