As it happens, today is my birthday. So I am going to revisit the events of my 34th birthday on Friday, January 30, 1987, and the day after. “My birthday was quite nice. I went to see some Indian (Asian) dancing by a very beautiful woman. There I met my friends Malki and Mark, who I went to an Indian concert with last term. About five of us went to the Victoria (a fashionable pub) for a drink,” as I wrote to my Mom.
Then there was the Iran Contra era. Back then, I remember the religious community being very involved in Latin America: El Salvador, Nicaragua, and Honduras. The Maryknollers got in trouble for sending subversives to help the churches. People were being shot everywhere - nuns & priests - Oscar Romero killed while offering mass. I personally knew a woman in her mid-20s who decided to go to Guatemala to help the cause. She funded her trip with donations from supporters in the US, and ended up living for years in a small village working as a teacher.
Wow, I am amazed that you can remember and write in such detail about what happened on your 34th birthday in 1987! I can barely remember 1987. For instance: I have a dance trophy on my dresser today with that date on it ... so I guess I was dancing then also but I cannot remember who I was dancing with or what dance it was. lol You must have kept a good log, or journal, or you have copies of these letters to your Mom, or something... very good! Every time I read your writing it is like I am right there with you!
I was editor of my college newspaper around then, in California, and a bit vague about what was going on in Nicaragua, except that it likely wasn't good. My undergrad adviser assigned our class "Bitter Fruit", and it was quite the eye opener on US policy and conduct in Latin America. As you note, actual Americans, those paying attention, tended to be appalled.
Then there was the Iran Contra era. Back then, I remember the religious community being very involved in Latin America: El Salvador, Nicaragua, and Honduras. The Maryknollers got in trouble for sending subversives to help the churches. People were being shot everywhere - nuns & priests - Oscar Romero killed while offering mass. I personally knew a woman in her mid-20s who decided to go to Guatemala to help the cause. She funded her trip with donations from supporters in the US, and ended up living for years in a small village working as a teacher.
Wow, I am amazed that you can remember and write in such detail about what happened on your 34th birthday in 1987! I can barely remember 1987. For instance: I have a dance trophy on my dresser today with that date on it ... so I guess I was dancing then also but I cannot remember who I was dancing with or what dance it was. lol You must have kept a good log, or journal, or you have copies of these letters to your Mom, or something... very good! Every time I read your writing it is like I am right there with you!
I was editor of my college newspaper around then, in California, and a bit vague about what was going on in Nicaragua, except that it likely wasn't good. My undergrad adviser assigned our class "Bitter Fruit", and it was quite the eye opener on US policy and conduct in Latin America. As you note, actual Americans, those paying attention, tended to be appalled.
Wonderful story )and astute questions about American foreign policy). Happy birthday dear Lynn!!