[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] Oh, it was, I think we arrived like early morning because, um. And, um. Got off the plane and.

[Assistant] You must have been pretty exhausted because you've been traveling.

[User] Well, you know, I don't remember that. When you're 23 years old, I don't think, I don't think you get exhausted.

[Assistant] Oh, okay.

[User] I don't so, I wasn't. That, that's not even a, um, I don't remember that.

[Assistant] But the adrenaline must have been flowing.


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] I don't so, I wasn't. That, that's not even a, um, I don't remember that.

[Assistant] But the adrenaline must have been flowing.

[User] Right, yeah. Anyway, I think we got a chance to sleep on the plane and a little. And, um, so we got to. And there was the, uh, the office, Peace Corps office in New Delhi met us. And, um, from there. First thing I noticed was it was, it was hot already, and this was in about May.

[Assistant] Yeah.

[User] About May sometime. And it was pretty warm. Um. And they took us by car to a hotel and we checked in and we stayed at the hotel there for, in New Delhi, for I think about three days. And I remember that we all went down as a group for breakfast and then they.

[Assistant] It's still the three of you?


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] Right, yeah. Anyway, I think we got a chance to sleep on the plane and a little. And, um, so we got to. And there was the, uh, the office, Peace Corps office in New Delhi met us. And, um, from there. First thing I noticed was it was, it was hot already, and this was in about May.

[Assistant] Yeah.

[User] About May sometime. And it was pretty warm. Um. And they took us by car to a hotel and we checked in and we stayed at the hotel there for, in New Delhi, for I think about three days. And I remember that we all went down as a group for breakfast and then they.

[Assistant] It's still the three of you?

[User] Three of us. And then, and then they'd come from the office and have breakfast with us. And. And um.

[Assistant] Do you remember first trying to use your Hindi?


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] About May sometime. And it was pretty warm. Um. And they took us by car to a hotel and we checked in and we stayed at the hotel there for, in New Delhi, for I think about three days. And I remember that we all went down as a group for breakfast and then they.

[Assistant] It's still the three of you?

[User] Three of us. And then, and then they'd come from the office and have breakfast with us. And. And um.

[Assistant] Do you remember first trying to use your Hindi?

[User] See, like in the hotel we didn't need to.

[Assistant] Okay. Everybody spoke?


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] Three of us. And then, and then they'd come from the office and have breakfast with us. And. And um.

[Assistant] Do you remember first trying to use your Hindi?

[User] See, like in the hotel we didn't need to.

[Assistant] Okay. Everybody spoke?

[User] Yeah. Everybody spoke English.

[Assistant] Although, you must have taken a while to tune into Indian English cause of the accents?


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] Yeah. Everybody spoke English.

[Assistant] Although, you must have taken a while to tune into Indian English cause of the accents?

[User] Yeah, yeah. But, uh, but I think, I think when the I, I looked out, the hotel was like maybe five stories high, and that was like maybe on the third or fourth floor, looking down. Pretty much the first, the first look of India. And there was some, some stucco little houses down there with tin roofs and homes.

[Assistant] Yeah.

[User] And there was like a little, little, tiny, narrow canal in front and they dumped their sewage in it and, and um, and the chattering and the, and the kids playing and, and I thought, okay, this is India.

[Assistant] Different than Kansas.


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] So then I, I, uh, then I also remember going, um, for breakfast to the dining room of the hotel.

[Assistant] Yeah.

[User] Oh my gosh. The, the, uh, fruit they put before us. Mangoes, papayas. I've never tasted anything so good. Of course, at home, we had our fresh peaches off the trees and pears and plums and everything. That was, that was good. But this was just wonderful.

[Assistant] Yeah.

[User] It was so good.

[Assistant] Yeah. A nice welcome to the country.


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] Oh my gosh. The, the, uh, fruit they put before us. Mangoes, papayas. I've never tasted anything so good. Of course, at home, we had our fresh peaches off the trees and pears and plums and everything. That was, that was good. But this was just wonderful.

[Assistant] Yeah.

[User] It was so good.

[Assistant] Yeah. A nice welcome to the country.

[User] Yes.

[Assistant] So during the three days, did you go to the Peace Corps office or just hang around?


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] Oh, I think they let us rest quite a bit.

[Assistant] Uh huh.

[User] Um, which I can remember doing, pulling the shades and just sleeping and, um. And then they'd come over and, um, you know, I. If they took us to the office, I don't remember. I don't remember.

[Assistant] That's okay.

[User] But yeah.

[Assistant] And do you remember your first introduction to Indian food? I mean, the breakfast was exotic.


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] Um, which I can remember doing, pulling the shades and just sleeping and, um. And then they'd come over and, um, you know, I. If they took us to the office, I don't remember. I don't remember.

[Assistant] That's okay.

[User] But yeah.

[Assistant] And do you remember your first introduction to Indian food? I mean, the breakfast was exotic.

[User] Oh, it was. It was wonderful.

[Assistant] How about, I mean, I picture curries, but, uh.


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] Probably in the dining room. Um. Of course I liked, you know, I liked everything I ate, the curries and the.

[Assistant] Yeah.

[User] And, uh. Of course, and I think in a nice hotel like that, they tend to serve European type food rather than the local Indian.

[Assistant] Yeah.

[User] So yeah.

[Assistant] So after the three days?


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] And, uh. Of course, and I think in a nice hotel like that, they tend to serve European type food rather than the local Indian.

[Assistant] Yeah.

[User] So yeah.

[Assistant] So after the three days?

[User] Three days, we, um, they put me on a plane and I went down to Hyderabad. Another gal went to Bangalore. Another one went to, I believe it was Madras.

[Assistant] And New Delhi was the main Peace Corps office?


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] So yeah.

[Assistant] So after the three days?

[User] Three days, we, um, they put me on a plane and I went down to Hyderabad. Another gal went to Bangalore. Another one went to, I believe it was Madras.

[Assistant] And New Delhi was the main Peace Corps office?

[User] Yes.

[Assistant] And who told you where you were going and what it was?


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] Three days, we, um, they put me on a plane and I went down to Hyderabad. Another gal went to Bangalore. Another one went to, I believe it was Madras.

[Assistant] And New Delhi was the main Peace Corps office?

[User] Yes.

[Assistant] And who told you where you were going and what it was?

[User] Oh, the director.

[Assistant] Do you remember who it was?


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] Oh, the director.

[Assistant] Do you remember who it was?

[User] Um, I don't. I'm sorry.

[Assistant] That's alright.

[User] Yeah, I don't.

[Assistant] But what were you told? You were going to be a secretary in?


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] Um, I don't. I'm sorry.

[Assistant] That's alright.

[User] Yeah, I don't.

[Assistant] But what were you told? You were going to be a secretary in?

[User] In the regional office.

[Assistant] Okay. And what was the region?


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] Yeah, I don't.

[Assistant] But what were you told? You were going to be a secretary in?

[User] In the regional office.

[Assistant] Okay. And what was the region?

[User] Region was, um, well, it was like the central. It was Andhra Pradesh, which is a very big state in India. And there were many volunteer, many groups there already.

[Assistant] And the center was Hyderabad.


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] In the regional office.

[Assistant] Okay. And what was the region?

[User] Region was, um, well, it was like the central. It was Andhra Pradesh, which is a very big state in India. And there were many volunteer, many groups there already.

[Assistant] And the center was Hyderabad.

[User] Right.

[Assistant] Okay. So you flew, another flight?


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] Region was, um, well, it was like the central. It was Andhra Pradesh, which is a very big state in India. And there were many volunteer, many groups there already.

[Assistant] And the center was Hyderabad.

[User] Right.

[Assistant] Okay. So you flew, another flight?

[User] Yes. Flew to end the course.

[Assistant] Just by yourself?


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] Yes. And they met me and brought me back to the office. And I think she, um, Joyce had had a home there and, um.

[Assistant] In Hyderabad?

[User] In Hyderabad, and, uh, so I think first we went to her house and, and, and in a couple of weeks, she was gonna be taking a leave back to the States. So she asked me if I'd like to stay there while she was gone.

[Assistant] Mm hmm.

[User] And it was, it was very nice. I mean it's a beautiful, beautiful home, and uh.

[Assistant] She must have had a few servants.


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] In Hyderabad, and, uh, so I think first we went to her house and, and, and in a couple of weeks, she was gonna be taking a leave back to the States. So she asked me if I'd like to stay there while she was gone.

[Assistant] Mm hmm.

[User] And it was, it was very nice. I mean it's a beautiful, beautiful home, and uh.

[Assistant] She must have had a few servants.

[User] Yes. [tape break] Oh. Um.

[Assistant] So that must have been a novelty. I mean, I'm sure you would not had a personal cook or.


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] Yes. [tape break] Oh. Um.

[Assistant] So that must have been a novelty. I mean, I'm sure you would not had a personal cook or.

[User] No, and I didn't. And his name was Joseph, and he was wonderful. And, of course, he already knew to fix Joyce her favorite meals and some Indian meals. And I'd never been waited on before, ever.

[Assistant] Right.

[User] And it was a very strange feeling.

[Assistant] I mean, you, you must have at some point said, I'm supposed to be a Peace Corps volunteer, and here I am, you know, living in the lap of luxury.


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] No, and I didn't. And his name was Joseph, and he was wonderful. And, of course, he already knew to fix Joyce her favorite meals and some Indian meals. And I'd never been waited on before, ever.

[Assistant] Right.

[User] And it was a very strange feeling.

[Assistant] I mean, you, you must have at some point said, I'm supposed to be a Peace Corps volunteer, and here I am, you know, living in the lap of luxury.

[User] Right. So, but, but I started off right away going to the office and, and, uh.

[Assistant] How far was it from the house to the office?


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] And it was a very strange feeling.

[Assistant] I mean, you, you must have at some point said, I'm supposed to be a Peace Corps volunteer, and here I am, you know, living in the lap of luxury.

[User] Right. So, but, but I started off right away going to the office and, and, uh.

[Assistant] How far was it from the house to the office?

[User] Um.

[Assistant] Well, how'd you get there?


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] Um.

[Assistant] Well, how'd you get there?

[User] I walked. Um. Oh, I would say. I think at first, I think the associate director would maybe come. He had a vehicle assigned to him. And I, I think while I was maybe at his, at Joyce's house, I think he picked me up.

[Assistant] Yeah.

[User] But, uh, later on in my own place, I walked.

[Assistant] Right. But let's stay with the first couple of weeks while you're there. You're staying at Joyce's.


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] I walked. Um. Oh, I would say. I think at first, I think the associate director would maybe come. He had a vehicle assigned to him. And I, I think while I was maybe at his, at Joyce's house, I think he picked me up.

[Assistant] Yeah.

[User] But, uh, later on in my own place, I walked.

[Assistant] Right. But let's stay with the first couple of weeks while you're there. You're staying at Joyce's.

[User] I think he picked me up. Yeah, because it was further out.

[Assistant] You weren't nervous walking the streets?


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] But, uh, later on in my own place, I walked.

[Assistant] Right. But let's stay with the first couple of weeks while you're there. You're staying at Joyce's.

[User] I think he picked me up. Yeah, because it was further out.

[Assistant] You weren't nervous walking the streets?

[User] No.

[Assistant] Okay. So you settled into Joyce's.


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] I think he picked me up. Yeah, because it was further out.

[Assistant] You weren't nervous walking the streets?

[User] No.

[Assistant] Okay. So you settled into Joyce's.

[User] Uh huh. Go to the office and.

[Assistant] You're at the office, and describe the office.


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] Uh huh. Go to the office and.

[Assistant] You're at the office, and describe the office.

[User] The office was, uh, was a, um, had been like a two story house and they transformed it into, into offices.

[Assistant] Yeah. And.

[User] Um, there already was a volunteer there from the first secretarial program. Her name was Barbara. And um, so she was working for the, mainly for Joyce, the director, regional director. And I assisted the associate directors. [dog barks] And um, and there was two there. So we were on the second floor and uh, and so I got to know the, uh. [tape stops]

[Assistant] So we're talking about your first few days at work.


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] The office was, uh, was a, um, had been like a two story house and they transformed it into, into offices.

[Assistant] Yeah. And.

[User] Um, there already was a volunteer there from the first secretarial program. Her name was Barbara. And um, so she was working for the, mainly for Joyce, the director, regional director. And I assisted the associate directors. [dog barks] And um, and there was two there. So we were on the second floor and uh, and so I got to know the, uh. [tape stops]

[Assistant] So we're talking about your first few days at work.

[User] In the office and, um.

[Assistant] Now, how many, how many volunteers were in that region, approximately?


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] Um, there already was a volunteer there from the first secretarial program. Her name was Barbara. And um, so she was working for the, mainly for Joyce, the director, regional director. And I assisted the associate directors. [dog barks] And um, and there was two there. So we were on the second floor and uh, and so I got to know the, uh. [tape stops]

[Assistant] So we're talking about your first few days at work.

[User] In the office and, um.

[Assistant] Now, how many, how many volunteers were in that region, approximately?

[User] That region? Oh my. Oh, hundreds. It probably was.

[Assistant] It was in the hundreds?


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] That region? Oh my. Oh, hundreds. It probably was.

[Assistant] It was in the hundreds?

[User] In India itself, there were 1,500 volunteers.

[Assistant] Wow.

[User] In this region there was, oh, I would say. I would guess four or 500 about.

[Assistant] And what were they doing?


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] Oh, there were programs, um, health programs. Um, agriculture, like poultry. And um.

[Assistant] Any teachers?

[User] Um, yes, some teachers and, oh, lots of agriculture type programs, gardening type. There were two volunteers in Hyderabad and they were working with, in auto maintenance.

[Assistant] Huh.

[User] And they were working with maybe I think it was privately or government owned maintenance programs. And so they're working with them.

[Assistant] Training mechanics and?


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] Um, yes, some teachers and, oh, lots of agriculture type programs, gardening type. There were two volunteers in Hyderabad and they were working with, in auto maintenance.

[Assistant] Huh.

[User] And they were working with maybe I think it was privately or government owned maintenance programs. And so they're working with them.

[Assistant] Training mechanics and?

[User] Right.

[Assistant] Yeah. Mm hmm.


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] And they were working with maybe I think it was privately or government owned maintenance programs. And so they're working with them.

[Assistant] Training mechanics and?

[User] Right.

[Assistant] Yeah. Mm hmm.

[User] And, uh.

[Assistant] Was there, uh, well, let's talk about the office a little more. So you were secretary to the two assistant directors. And what was the typical workday like?


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] Right.

[Assistant] Yeah. Mm hmm.

[User] And, uh.

[Assistant] Was there, uh, well, let's talk about the office a little more. So you were secretary to the two assistant directors. And what was the typical workday like?

[User] Oh, typical was.

[Assistant] If there was one.


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] Oh, typical was.

[Assistant] If there was one.

[User] Oh, pretty much. Um, start about probably 8:30 or 9:00, and um, until 5:00 or 6:00 at night. And when it was during busy times, I could be there at 8:00 at night working.

[Assistant] Yeah.

[User] Because, um, there were so many volunteers and then, then continuously there was volunteers coming into the region. So we had to plan to meet them and hand out materials and um, take care of those volunteers. Usually they were in the city probably a couple days, so we had to arrange for, um, for them to stay at a hotel.

[Assistant] Were you doing those arrangements or did the assistants?


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] Oh, pretty much. Um, start about probably 8:30 or 9:00, and um, until 5:00 or 6:00 at night. And when it was during busy times, I could be there at 8:00 at night working.

[Assistant] Yeah.

[User] Because, um, there were so many volunteers and then, then continuously there was volunteers coming into the region. So we had to plan to meet them and hand out materials and um, take care of those volunteers. Usually they were in the city probably a couple days, so we had to arrange for, um, for them to stay at a hotel.

[Assistant] Were you doing those arrangements or did the assistants?

[User] Mostly the assistants, but I kind of helped them.

[Assistant] The backup, yeah.


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] Because, um, there were so many volunteers and then, then continuously there was volunteers coming into the region. So we had to plan to meet them and hand out materials and um, take care of those volunteers. Usually they were in the city probably a couple days, so we had to arrange for, um, for them to stay at a hotel.

[Assistant] Were you doing those arrangements or did the assistants?

[User] Mostly the assistants, but I kind of helped them.

[Assistant] The backup, yeah.

[User] There's a lot of correspondence then with, with the volunteers in the field, if they had questions, if they had problems or issues, and um, even correspondence with, um, local, um, government people.

[Assistant] Oh, okay. Now this is all for the most part written and you're working off the typewriter?


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] Mostly the assistants, but I kind of helped them.

[Assistant] The backup, yeah.

[User] There's a lot of correspondence then with, with the volunteers in the field, if they had questions, if they had problems or issues, and um, even correspondence with, um, local, um, government people.

[Assistant] Oh, okay. Now this is all for the most part written and you're working off the typewriter?

[User] Oh, yes.

[Assistant] You're typing up.


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] There's a lot of correspondence then with, with the volunteers in the field, if they had questions, if they had problems or issues, and um, even correspondence with, um, local, um, government people.

[Assistant] Oh, okay. Now this is all for the most part written and you're working off the typewriter?

[User] Oh, yes.

[Assistant] You're typing up.

[User] Oh, yes, the typewriter. Oh my. Of course, they were manual back then. This was 1966.

[Assistant] It was not, it wasn't an electric?


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] Oh, yes.

[Assistant] You're typing up.

[User] Oh, yes, the typewriter. Oh my. Of course, they were manual back then. This was 1966.

[Assistant] It was not, it wasn't an electric?

[User] I think the electrics were. I think there were electrics but.

[Assistant] Back in the U.S. Yeah, not there.


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] No, they were manual typewriters and.

[Assistant] Carbon paper.

[User] Carbon paper. And I, I think, I was used to, you know, fairly nice at my last, at the job I had, uh, in the States, you know, a fairly nice typewriter. But this was some government issue or something. Very, very difficult to type. And, and I, I think I asked for maybe if there was an, eventually, pretty soon I got a nicer typewriter like, like an Underwood or something.

[Assistant] Yeah.

[User] Which, which was much better than the first issue. But uh, oh yes, everything was typed.

[Assistant] And the kinds of correspondence you were handling was communications with volunteers.


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] Which, which was much better than the first issue. But uh, oh yes, everything was typed.

[Assistant] And the kinds of correspondence you were handling was communications with volunteers.

[User] The volunteers, manuals. Um.

[Assistant] Manuals?

[User] For the new volunteers maybe, because I think we, all the groups that came in were like doing something different, like one group of, of, of, uh, nursing, not nursing, but health care. And the next group would be agriculture of some kind. So, so.

[Assistant] And this was mostly technical, kind of?


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] The volunteers, manuals. Um.

[Assistant] Manuals?

[User] For the new volunteers maybe, because I think we, all the groups that came in were like doing something different, like one group of, of, of, uh, nursing, not nursing, but health care. And the next group would be agriculture of some kind. So, so.

[Assistant] And this was mostly technical, kind of?

[User] Technical and.

[Assistant] How to do the job?


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] For the new volunteers maybe, because I think we, all the groups that came in were like doing something different, like one group of, of, of, uh, nursing, not nursing, but health care. And the next group would be agriculture of some kind. So, so.

[Assistant] And this was mostly technical, kind of?

[User] Technical and.

[Assistant] How to do the job?

[User] Uh, I think suggestions or maybe suggestions? And then other things were, um, maybe how to dealing with maybe the local people. And I believe things like that, that nature.

[Assistant] Was there a lot of correspondence that you handled with between the office and the main office or directly with Washington?


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] Technical and.

[Assistant] How to do the job?

[User] Uh, I think suggestions or maybe suggestions? And then other things were, um, maybe how to dealing with maybe the local people. And I believe things like that, that nature.

[Assistant] Was there a lot of correspondence that you handled with between the office and the main office or directly with Washington?

[User] Not with Washington. If it would be any place, it'd probably be the regional office. I mean, I mean, the main office in New Delhi.

[Assistant] So you didn't get involved with.


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] Uh, I think suggestions or maybe suggestions? And then other things were, um, maybe how to dealing with maybe the local people. And I believe things like that, that nature.

[Assistant] Was there a lot of correspondence that you handled with between the office and the main office or directly with Washington?

[User] Not with Washington. If it would be any place, it'd probably be the regional office. I mean, I mean, the main office in New Delhi.

[Assistant] So you didn't get involved with.

[User] Not Washington, no.

[Assistant] Do you recall if you had a security clearance? I mean, there were some documents that were classified.


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] Not with Washington. If it would be any place, it'd probably be the regional office. I mean, I mean, the main office in New Delhi.

[Assistant] So you didn't get involved with.

[User] Not Washington, no.

[Assistant] Do you recall if you had a security clearance? I mean, there were some documents that were classified.

[User] Uh, I don't know.

[Assistant] Limited official use and.


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] Not Washington, no.

[Assistant] Do you recall if you had a security clearance? I mean, there were some documents that were classified.

[User] Uh, I don't know.

[Assistant] Limited official use and.

[User] Yeah, I don't remember that.

[Assistant] Okay, it's possible.


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] And then in the office also, there were some, some, uh, national, Indian national people.

[Assistant] Oh, okay.

[User] And I remember one was, his name was Cirrus and he did some typing. And of course, the, uh, and then there was another one. There was a gal, her name was Hydra and she was. She was a, uh, she was a Hindu.

[Assistant] Yeah.

[User] She came in in her saris and she did some typing. But I, I just remember, though, that I just was a little appalled at how. [dog barks, tape stops] That I remember something I see after I had typed something and, and their work was, of course, culturally so different. I mean, mistakes and, and, of course, the, the sentence structure and all that was just, it was so different. It was just interesting how different it was.

[Assistant] And you weren't expected to supervise or correct her work?


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] And I remember one was, his name was Cirrus and he did some typing. And of course, the, uh, and then there was another one. There was a gal, her name was Hydra and she was. She was a, uh, she was a Hindu.

[Assistant] Yeah.

[User] She came in in her saris and she did some typing. But I, I just remember, though, that I just was a little appalled at how. [dog barks, tape stops] That I remember something I see after I had typed something and, and their work was, of course, culturally so different. I mean, mistakes and, and, of course, the, the sentence structure and all that was just, it was so different. It was just interesting how different it was.

[Assistant] And you weren't expected to supervise or correct her work?

[User] I, I think occasionally, yes. Yeah. If it was too bad, they just had to do it over. But of course the Indians, even, even the government officials, um, you know, they were used to that, that sort of English, you know, they were. Cause we got letters from them the same way, so we weren't too concerned about it.

[Assistant] But it wasn't a role that Peace Corps or your staff or the directors said, well, why don't you try to help them?


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] She came in in her saris and she did some typing. But I, I just remember, though, that I just was a little appalled at how. [dog barks, tape stops] That I remember something I see after I had typed something and, and their work was, of course, culturally so different. I mean, mistakes and, and, of course, the, the sentence structure and all that was just, it was so different. It was just interesting how different it was.

[Assistant] And you weren't expected to supervise or correct her work?

[User] I, I think occasionally, yes. Yeah. If it was too bad, they just had to do it over. But of course the Indians, even, even the government officials, um, you know, they were used to that, that sort of English, you know, they were. Cause we got letters from them the same way, so we weren't too concerned about it.

[Assistant] But it wasn't a role that Peace Corps or your staff or the directors said, well, why don't you try to help them?

[User] Occasionally I did, yes, yes.

[Assistant] Oh, okay. Okay.


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] I, I think occasionally, yes. Yeah. If it was too bad, they just had to do it over. But of course the Indians, even, even the government officials, um, you know, they were used to that, that sort of English, you know, they were. Cause we got letters from them the same way, so we weren't too concerned about it.

[Assistant] But it wasn't a role that Peace Corps or your staff or the directors said, well, why don't you try to help them?

[User] Occasionally I did, yes, yes.

[Assistant] Oh, okay. Okay.

[User] But, uh, yeah, I, I enjoyed, I enjoyed working with them and, and, uh.

[Assistant] By now, have you had a chance to begin using your Hindi or was it more comfortable to work in English?


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] But, uh, yeah, I, I enjoyed, I enjoyed working with them and, and, uh.

[Assistant] By now, have you had a chance to begin using your Hindi or was it more comfortable to work in English?

[User] We were in the office. It, of course, English and we were so busy that, that, you know, I had Sunday off and, and, uh, and that for a while Sunday was just, well, the whole time I was there, Sunday was just, you know, rest as much as you could because we had long, long days and long hours.

[Assistant] Yeah.

[User] But, uh. But I used Hindi for, um, uh, maybe the, oh, some of the office, maybe the, the. We had some janitors and.

[Assistant] Were there drivers, Peace Corps drivers?


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] But, uh. But I used Hindi for, um, uh, maybe the, oh, some of the office, maybe the, the. We had some janitors and.

[Assistant] Were there drivers, Peace Corps drivers?

[User] Yes.

[Assistant] Yeah.

[User] Uh, yeah, we had, we had a driver also. Yeah. So I kind of experimented. Use it here and there.

[Assistant] So after three or four weeks, did you wake up one morning and say, oh my goodness, I'm in India and I'm a Peace Corps volunteer?


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] Yes.

[Assistant] Yeah.

[User] Uh, yeah, we had, we had a driver also. Yeah. So I kind of experimented. Use it here and there.

[Assistant] So after three or four weeks, did you wake up one morning and say, oh my goodness, I'm in India and I'm a Peace Corps volunteer?

[User] No, I think, I think I realized it from the first day I arrived in Delhi, you know, and it was just. And of course, everything was just, you know, something every day was something new and different I'd see and experience. Yeah.

[Assistant] Let's talk now about, initially you stayed at Joyce's house.


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] Uh, yeah, we had, we had a driver also. Yeah. So I kind of experimented. Use it here and there.

[Assistant] So after three or four weeks, did you wake up one morning and say, oh my goodness, I'm in India and I'm a Peace Corps volunteer?

[User] No, I think, I think I realized it from the first day I arrived in Delhi, you know, and it was just. And of course, everything was just, you know, something every day was something new and different I'd see and experience. Yeah.

[Assistant] Let's talk now about, initially you stayed at Joyce's house.

[User] Right. Right.

[Assistant] Let's talk about the transition.


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] Right. Right.

[Assistant] Let's talk about the transition.

[User] Okay. And then after she was gone, she was in the States for about a month, she came back and, and so I think I was there for another, um, week or two and, and started looking for my own place.

[Assistant] Oh, okay.

[User] And, um, I don't know how I found, I think it's just word of mouth because, um, because of course all the Indians were just, you know, there's, there's foreigners, Americans and, and we just got a lot of, a lot of attention from everybody and, and about. Someone came to the office and asked if anybody was looking for a place to live. And in this neighborhood, they had just finished building a little, a little, little house. And so I went to see it and.

[Assistant] How far from the office?


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] And, um, I don't know how I found, I think it's just word of mouth because, um, because of course all the Indians were just, you know, there's, there's foreigners, Americans and, and we just got a lot of, a lot of attention from everybody and, and about. Someone came to the office and asked if anybody was looking for a place to live. And in this neighborhood, they had just finished building a little, a little, little house. And so I went to see it and.

[Assistant] How far from the office?

[User] Um, walking. It was about, about 15 minutes.

[Assistant] Oh, okay.

[User] So, um. So I moved there and went.

[Assistant] Describe the house.


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] And, um, and that's where I had my meals. And there was a window and, and a couple of windows and they had my meals there. And, uh, and then there was a door. To the back of this room, there was a door out the back with the little, uh, a couple of steps. There was another little door, and that was the restroom.

[Assistant] Okay.

[User] Okay. Of course there wasn't. It was just a little walk-in with the hole in the floor.

[Assistant] Right, right.

[User] And, um. And then, uh.

[Assistant] Did you have electricity?


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] Uh. Yes, I did. Um, but not all day long.

[Assistant] Yeah.

[User] Yeah.

[Assistant] Yeah.

[User] And, uh. And then. And then from the front door forward, there's like a little, little room. And there was, uh, used as my bedroom. And then there was, uh, uh, another little sitting room. And I just, I put, like, a couch in there.

[Assistant] Now, Peace Corps was paying the rent?


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] Yeah.

[Assistant] Yeah.

[User] And, uh. And then. And then from the front door forward, there's like a little, little room. And there was, uh, used as my bedroom. And then there was, uh, uh, another little sitting room. And I just, I put, like, a couch in there.

[Assistant] Now, Peace Corps was paying the rent?

[User] They gave me an allowance. They gave all the volunteers an allowance.

[Assistant] So you got the same as any other volunteer?


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] And, uh. And then. And then from the front door forward, there's like a little, little room. And there was, uh, used as my bedroom. And then there was, uh, uh, another little sitting room. And I just, I put, like, a couch in there.

[Assistant] Now, Peace Corps was paying the rent?

[User] They gave me an allowance. They gave all the volunteers an allowance.

[Assistant] So you got the same as any other volunteer?

[User] I think the volunteers in, in the cities got a little more because there was just, the cost of living was a little bit more. So I got a little bit more than the, the ones out in, uh, in the little villages.

[Assistant] Did you also get a settling in allowance so you could buy some furniture?


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] They gave me an allowance. They gave all the volunteers an allowance.

[Assistant] So you got the same as any other volunteer?

[User] I think the volunteers in, in the cities got a little more because there was just, the cost of living was a little bit more. So I got a little bit more than the, the ones out in, uh, in the little villages.

[Assistant] Did you also get a settling in allowance so you could buy some furniture?

[User] Uh, yes, I did. So I got, um, of course, a table and some pots and pans and.

[Assistant] Did anyone from Peace Corps come out and check the place to see that it was appropriate? Or are they just trust that you?


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] I think the volunteers in, in the cities got a little more because there was just, the cost of living was a little bit more. So I got a little bit more than the, the ones out in, uh, in the little villages.

[Assistant] Did you also get a settling in allowance so you could buy some furniture?

[User] Uh, yes, I did. So I got, um, of course, a table and some pots and pans and.

[Assistant] Did anyone from Peace Corps come out and check the place to see that it was appropriate? Or are they just trust that you?

[User] I don't think so, no. I don't remember. I don't think so.

[Assistant] So this is the end of your second month, third month, is when?


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] Uh, yes, I did. So I got, um, of course, a table and some pots and pans and.

[Assistant] Did anyone from Peace Corps come out and check the place to see that it was appropriate? Or are they just trust that you?

[User] I don't think so, no. I don't remember. I don't think so.

[Assistant] So this is the end of your second month, third month, is when?

[User] Oh, this is probably into the, probably about the third by that time. About the third.

[Assistant] Did you hire a steward?


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] I don't think so, no. I don't remember. I don't think so.

[Assistant] So this is the end of your second month, third month, is when?

[User] Oh, this is probably into the, probably about the third by that time. About the third.

[Assistant] Did you hire a steward?

[User] I hired, um, a cook. Yes.

[Assistant] A cook. Yeah.


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] Oh, this is probably into the, probably about the third by that time. About the third.

[Assistant] Did you hire a steward?

[User] I hired, um, a cook. Yes.

[Assistant] A cook. Yeah.

[User] Uh huh. And, um.

[Assistant] And the Peace Corps had no problem with that?


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] I hired, um, a cook. Yes.

[Assistant] A cook. Yeah.

[User] Uh huh. And, um.

[Assistant] And the Peace Corps had no problem with that?

[User] No.

[Assistant] They didn't say you should not.


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] Uh huh. And, um.

[Assistant] And the Peace Corps had no problem with that?

[User] No.

[Assistant] They didn't say you should not.

[User] And I think, I think the cook I got was recommended by maybe Joyce, the, uh, regional director's cook, Joseph. I think maybe he recommended her as someone he knew. So. So it was easy that way. I didn't have to go and, you know.

[Assistant] Do you remember her name?


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] And I think, I think the cook I got was recommended by maybe Joyce, the, uh, regional director's cook, Joseph. I think maybe he recommended her as someone he knew. So. So it was easy that way. I didn't have to go and, you know.

[Assistant] Do you remember her name?

[User] Um. I think. No, I don't.

[Assistant] Okay.

[User] But I've got it written down in my journal but.

[Assistant] That's alright. But she did the shopping and the cooking?


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] And, um, I think I walked home for lunch and she'd have lunch prepared.

[Assistant] Yeah.

[User] And then I'd go back to the office and probably take about an hour off for lunch.

[Assistant] Right.

[User] And then I go back to the office and she'd have, um, dinner for me when I came back.

[Assistant] The houses around you, were Indians were living there?


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] Uh, yes. It was just a typical Indian neighborhood.

[Assistant] Right.

[User] And my landlords lived in the back.

[Assistant] Yeah.

[User] Kind of you walked from the courtyard, well, not really a courtyard, but not much there. You walk through the front gate and kind of past my house, and they, their family lived right back there. And it was a typical little kind of, uh, old, old stucco, shaggy type thing. And, uh, and that's where they lived. Yeah.

[Assistant] What were your relations with the landlord's family?


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] And my landlords lived in the back.

[Assistant] Yeah.

[User] Kind of you walked from the courtyard, well, not really a courtyard, but not much there. You walk through the front gate and kind of past my house, and they, their family lived right back there. And it was a typical little kind of, uh, old, old stucco, shaggy type thing. And, uh, and that's where they lived. Yeah.

[Assistant] What were your relations with the landlord's family?

[User] It was good. It was good. They were very, they had, they had a herd of cows. And they had a little, and I'm just now remembering, I don't know how they managed to build this little new addition on. I really never thought about it and never asked. I'm just now, I don't know how it happened. But, but they had this herd of buffalo and, and, um. Anyway, my, outside my front door, there was a window and they put a little flower box. And I thought, wow, I'm a farm girl. I can grow anything I want. Flowers. I thought flowers would be beautiful. So I put flowers in there and the buffalo would come around and eat my flowers. I never had flowers. They're all eaten down, you know? And, uh. But, um.

[Assistant] So were you comfortable in living alone in that setting?


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] Kind of you walked from the courtyard, well, not really a courtyard, but not much there. You walk through the front gate and kind of past my house, and they, their family lived right back there. And it was a typical little kind of, uh, old, old stucco, shaggy type thing. And, uh, and that's where they lived. Yeah.

[Assistant] What were your relations with the landlord's family?

[User] It was good. It was good. They were very, they had, they had a herd of cows. And they had a little, and I'm just now remembering, I don't know how they managed to build this little new addition on. I really never thought about it and never asked. I'm just now, I don't know how it happened. But, but they had this herd of buffalo and, and, um. Anyway, my, outside my front door, there was a window and they put a little flower box. And I thought, wow, I'm a farm girl. I can grow anything I want. Flowers. I thought flowers would be beautiful. So I put flowers in there and the buffalo would come around and eat my flowers. I never had flowers. They're all eaten down, you know? And, uh. But, um.

[Assistant] So were you comfortable in living alone in that setting?

[User] Yes, I was.

[Assistant] That's good. I mean, because you're in the midst of.


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] It was good. It was good. They were very, they had, they had a herd of cows. And they had a little, and I'm just now remembering, I don't know how they managed to build this little new addition on. I really never thought about it and never asked. I'm just now, I don't know how it happened. But, but they had this herd of buffalo and, and, um. Anyway, my, outside my front door, there was a window and they put a little flower box. And I thought, wow, I'm a farm girl. I can grow anything I want. Flowers. I thought flowers would be beautiful. So I put flowers in there and the buffalo would come around and eat my flowers. I never had flowers. They're all eaten down, you know? And, uh. But, um.

[Assistant] So were you comfortable in living alone in that setting?

[User] Yes, I was.

[Assistant] That's good. I mean, because you're in the midst of.

[User] Yeah.

[Assistant] People who are different.


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] Yes, I was.

[Assistant] That's good. I mean, because you're in the midst of.

[User] Yeah.

[Assistant] People who are different.

[User] Right. And I had a lock on my door and, of course, I used that. And they had, you know, they had children and sons and, and, uh.

[Assistant] Were you able to become friends with any of the family or?


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] Right. And I had a lock on my door and, of course, I used that. And they had, you know, they had children and sons and, and, uh.

[Assistant] Were you able to become friends with any of the family or?

[User] Yes. And one of their sons was, um, he liked to draw. So I remember sitting in the chair one day and he, and I've still got the drawing. He drew my picture. He drew my picture. And, and, of course, they loved American music.

[Assistant] Yeah.

[User] They had radios and they were listening to American music and, and, uh. So they were curious and we'd talk. Yeah.

[Assistant] Mostly in English?


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] Yes. And one of their sons was, um, he liked to draw. So I remember sitting in the chair one day and he, and I've still got the drawing. He drew my picture. He drew my picture. And, and, of course, they loved American music.

[Assistant] Yeah.

[User] They had radios and they were listening to American music and, and, uh. So they were curious and we'd talk. Yeah.

[Assistant] Mostly in English?

[User] Um, both. And I, mostly in English, yes. Yeah. And, uh, and, you know, they'd try to help me with my Hindu because I wasn't very good and. And in, in a way I could, I could, I could, uh, communicate with, with their parents, my landlords, and, and by words, by gestures, by their little English. So we got along fine.

[Assistant] Sometimes the most difficult time for a volunteer is the first Thanksgiving and Christmas.


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] They had radios and they were listening to American music and, and, uh. So they were curious and we'd talk. Yeah.

[Assistant] Mostly in English?

[User] Um, both. And I, mostly in English, yes. Yeah. And, uh, and, you know, they'd try to help me with my Hindu because I wasn't very good and. And in, in a way I could, I could, I could, uh, communicate with, with their parents, my landlords, and, and by words, by gestures, by their little English. So we got along fine.

[Assistant] Sometimes the most difficult time for a volunteer is the first Thanksgiving and Christmas.

[User] Yeah.

[Assistant] And do you recall?


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] Um, both. And I, mostly in English, yes. Yeah. And, uh, and, you know, they'd try to help me with my Hindu because I wasn't very good and. And in, in a way I could, I could, I could, uh, communicate with, with their parents, my landlords, and, and by words, by gestures, by their little English. So we got along fine.

[Assistant] Sometimes the most difficult time for a volunteer is the first Thanksgiving and Christmas.

[User] Yeah.

[Assistant] And do you recall?

[User] Yes, I do. Um, let's see, Thanksgiving. I remember we had. There was a doctor in town, like a.

[Assistant] Peace Corps doctor?


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] Yes, I do. Um, let's see, Thanksgiving. I remember we had. There was a doctor in town, like a.

[Assistant] Peace Corps doctor?

[User] Peace Corps doctor. And I don't know, of course, this is the first Thanksgiving or the second, but. But probably the second. I don't remember the first. We went to, uh. Okay. The first Thanksgiving here is coming back to me. The first Thanksgiving, we went to the regional director's house and, um.

[Assistant] Joyce.

[User] Joyce. And of course, the associate directors had their own places and we all came and, and, uh.

[Assistant] It was just the staff?


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] Peace Corps doctor. And I don't know, of course, this is the first Thanksgiving or the second, but. But probably the second. I don't remember the first. We went to, uh. Okay. The first Thanksgiving here is coming back to me. The first Thanksgiving, we went to the regional director's house and, um.

[Assistant] Joyce.

[User] Joyce. And of course, the associate directors had their own places and we all came and, and, uh.

[Assistant] It was just the staff?

[User] Like a potluck thing. And the staff and, and any of the volunteers that were in town or in the area could come too. So there was a full house of volunteers and we had, um, I remember we had, um, turkey probably. Somewhere they got turkey. Yeah. Yeah.

[Assistant] Well, was there was there an American community in Hyderabad?


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] Joyce. And of course, the associate directors had their own places and we all came and, and, uh.

[Assistant] It was just the staff?

[User] Like a potluck thing. And the staff and, and any of the volunteers that were in town or in the area could come too. So there was a full house of volunteers and we had, um, I remember we had, um, turkey probably. Somewhere they got turkey. Yeah. Yeah.

[Assistant] Well, was there was there an American community in Hyderabad?

[User] Yes, there was a USAID office.

[Assistant] And so there was probably a commissary for them.


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] Like a potluck thing. And the staff and, and any of the volunteers that were in town or in the area could come too. So there was a full house of volunteers and we had, um, I remember we had, um, turkey probably. Somewhere they got turkey. Yeah. Yeah.

[Assistant] Well, was there was there an American community in Hyderabad?

[User] Yes, there was a USAID office.

[Assistant] And so there was probably a commissary for them.

[User] Uh, I.

[Assistant] Or it wasn't a.


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] Yes, there was a USAID office.

[Assistant] And so there was probably a commissary for them.

[User] Uh, I.

[Assistant] Or it wasn't a.

[User] I don't think so because I don't recall ever. I don't know that there was.

[Assistant] Probably there was in New Delhi and it may be that they could get stuff from there.


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] Uh, I.

[Assistant] Or it wasn't a.

[User] I don't think so because I don't recall ever. I don't know that there was.

[Assistant] Probably there was in New Delhi and it may be that they could get stuff from there.

[User] And of course, they said, you know, we were welcome to get, ask our families to send food and whatever. I mean, like dry foods.

[Assistant] And did you?


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] I don't think so because I don't recall ever. I don't know that there was.

[Assistant] Probably there was in New Delhi and it may be that they could get stuff from there.

[User] And of course, they said, you know, we were welcome to get, ask our families to send food and whatever. I mean, like dry foods.

[Assistant] And did you?

[User] Yes, I did. Yeah. But, uh, yeah, we had Thanksgiving at the, and then the second year we had Thanksgiving I remember at the, at the doctor's home.

[Assistant] Do you recall the doctor's name?


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] And of course, they said, you know, we were welcome to get, ask our families to send food and whatever. I mean, like dry foods.

[Assistant] And did you?

[User] Yes, I did. Yeah. But, uh, yeah, we had Thanksgiving at the, and then the second year we had Thanksgiving I remember at the, at the doctor's home.

[Assistant] Do you recall the doctor's name?

[User] Uh, Allen Margolis. And he was married and, um, because he wasn't there when I got there, he was, came like a year later.

[Assistant] In Hyderabad, was there a Peace Corps hostel so that?


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] Yes, I did. Yeah. But, uh, yeah, we had Thanksgiving at the, and then the second year we had Thanksgiving I remember at the, at the doctor's home.

[Assistant] Do you recall the doctor's name?

[User] Uh, Allen Margolis. And he was married and, um, because he wasn't there when I got there, he was, came like a year later.

[Assistant] In Hyderabad, was there a Peace Corps hostel so that?

[User] Um.

[Assistant] Volunteers coming from upcountry?


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] Uh, Allen Margolis. And he was married and, um, because he wasn't there when I got there, he was, came like a year later.

[Assistant] In Hyderabad, was there a Peace Corps hostel so that?

[User] Um.

[Assistant] Volunteers coming from upcountry?

[User] No, no, I think any volunteers that came in for a while either stayed with other volunteers or maybe I think, I think the Peace Corps had stayed, um, paid for a hotel.

[Assistant] Oh, but there weren't that many volunteers assigned in the Hyderabad area?


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] Um.

[Assistant] Volunteers coming from upcountry?

[User] No, no, I think any volunteers that came in for a while either stayed with other volunteers or maybe I think, I think the Peace Corps had stayed, um, paid for a hotel.

[Assistant] Oh, but there weren't that many volunteers assigned in the Hyderabad area?

[User] No.

[Assistant] You said just two that you knew.


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] No, no, I think any volunteers that came in for a while either stayed with other volunteers or maybe I think, I think the Peace Corps had stayed, um, paid for a hotel.

[Assistant] Oh, but there weren't that many volunteers assigned in the Hyderabad area?

[User] No.

[Assistant] You said just two that you knew.

[User] The two mechanics, um, and about two of us in the office and then the directors and no. Yeah.

[Assistant] And so during the first year there were two Peace Corps secretaries?


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] The two mechanics, um, and about two of us in the office and then the directors and no. Yeah.

[Assistant] And so during the first year there were two Peace Corps secretaries?

[User] Right. And, well, she left, I think it was just a matter of months and she left.

[Assistant] Oh, okay.

[User] Yeah. She went back to the States. Well, I was the replacement.

[Assistant] Okay, so it was just you then?


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] Right. And, well, she left, I think it was just a matter of months and she left.

[Assistant] Oh, okay.

[User] Yeah. She went back to the States. Well, I was the replacement.

[Assistant] Okay, so it was just you then?

[User] Right. Yeah.

[Assistant] And, uh, some Indian staff.


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] Yeah. She went back to the States. Well, I was the replacement.

[Assistant] Okay, so it was just you then?

[User] Right. Yeah.

[Assistant] And, uh, some Indian staff.

[User] Right.

[Assistant] Again, during the first year would, was there a lot of volunteer traffic through the office? I mean, weekends tend to be?


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] Right.

[Assistant] Again, during the first year would, was there a lot of volunteer traffic through the office? I mean, weekends tend to be?

[User] Not so much weekends, but about every, oh, I want to say every six months or so, we'd bring one group in for a little R&R, a little, some conference time and some good time.

[Assistant] Yeah.

[User] And so then we put them up in a, in a hotel and, and have the meetings and they'd wander in and out of the office and, and use some of our facilities like phones and typing and um.

[Assistant] Did you become close friends with any of the volunteers more than others?


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] Not so much weekends, but about every, oh, I want to say every six months or so, we'd bring one group in for a little R&R, a little, some conference time and some good time.

[Assistant] Yeah.

[User] And so then we put them up in a, in a hotel and, and have the meetings and they'd wander in and out of the office and, and use some of our facilities like phones and typing and um.

[Assistant] Did you become close friends with any of the volunteers more than others?

[User] Not really. Didn't have a chance to, um.

[Assistant] Sounds like you were very busy.


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] Very busy. Really, yeah. But one good thing. Oh, also, while they were in town, um, of course, we'd go out and eat together.

[Assistant] Yeah.

[User] And there's a couple of night spots and we'd go in there and. And they had, um, of course, American music and these Indian bands, and we'd go out there on the floor and we'd dance like the, the twist in the, in the, in the, all that, all those dances. And the Indians of course they just watched, you know, and they were so fascinated with it. And we just had such a good time. And the Indian beer was so good.

[Assistant] Uh huh.

[User] So good. And it was, uh, it was a darker, heavier beer. And it was wonderful.

[Assistant] It came in liter bottles, the large size?


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] So good. And it was, uh, it was a darker, heavier beer. And it was wonderful.

[Assistant] It came in liter bottles, the large size?

[User] Yes, the large size. And it was good. And then, um. Of course, also women, Indian women, you'd see them out in the streets once in a while, but, but you'd never see them at the movies. You'd never see them, um, at these nightclubs and restaurants. You'd never, Indian women just didn't go out. Men did, of course.

[Assistant] Yeah.

[User] And, um, of course, they were fascinated with us women. That's for sure.

[Assistant] Did any of the Indian men try to date you or did you date?


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] Yes, the large size. And it was good. And then, um. Of course, also women, Indian women, you'd see them out in the streets once in a while, but, but you'd never see them at the movies. You'd never see them, um, at these nightclubs and restaurants. You'd never, Indian women just didn't go out. Men did, of course.

[Assistant] Yeah.

[User] And, um, of course, they were fascinated with us women. That's for sure.

[Assistant] Did any of the Indian men try to date you or did you date?

[User] Yes. Yes, there's one. And, um, he was a Sikh. And, um. And I don't know exactly where I met him, but he and a friend would. They'd come over and hang out and.

[Assistant] Come over to?


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] They were wonderful. We'd go in the dining room and have this wonderful big meal. And then I had to go back to work and work on a full stomach. And I remember, oh, it was just a little bit too much, you know.

[Assistant] Yeah.

[User] But so we did every once in a while and then, um, but uh. One nice thing about it, though, he, he, uh, he wanted to be friends, but he didn't want to be, um, no romance, which was a relief for me because I didn't have to deal with that. And then somebody said later on that he was married but.

[Assistant] Yeah, yeah.

[User] But, but, but he was just, we were just friends.

[Assistant] It was just companionship.


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] But so we did every once in a while and then, um, but uh. One nice thing about it, though, he, he, uh, he wanted to be friends, but he didn't want to be, um, no romance, which was a relief for me because I didn't have to deal with that. And then somebody said later on that he was married but.

[Assistant] Yeah, yeah.

[User] But, but, but he was just, we were just friends.

[Assistant] It was just companionship.

[User] Right. And I think he was very curious as to, as to American women. And so.

[Assistant] And he spoke obviously English.


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] But he'd been educated well, and yeah. But, uh, and then he took me on a, on a safari.

[Assistant] Oh.

[User] And they call them shikars. Shikars.

[Assistant] Yeah.

[User] So he and his friend and, um, in a jeep, a driver. And we went out, it was just supposed to be like a weekend over one night, overnight thing. Ended up almost three days, just incident after incident with the drivers and, oh my, but, uh, it was interesting. It was, it was kind of fun.

[Assistant] Was it in an area that was particularly beautiful or wild animals or just?


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] Well, we went to look for wild animals and then so it was the two of them. It was me. It was a driver. And then a couple other men that had, had the guns. And, and I don't know if the other two men just wanted to go along or they were kind of like, probably like guides.

[Assistant] Yeah.

[User] And so we traveled and traveled in a jeep, and it wasn't all that comfortable, you know?

[Assistant] Right.

[User] And, uh, then we'd stop and eat. And, um, I remember the first night we stayed in a little hostel someplace. Yeah. And, uh, and then.

[Assistant] Were you on leave from, taking vacation from work?


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] Clear out in the country somewhere. And, and apparently the, the, the guides knew, knew the family. And so we went there and we visited for a while and then we took off again and we were like hours away. All of a sudden these guys realized, oh, they left their guns at the hut. That's when we, that's when we found that little hostel, I guess.

[Assistant] Yeah. Yeah.

[User] They were gone, oh, they were gone over half a day.

[Assistant] Yeah.

[User] Almost a day they were gone, going back after their, after their guns and. And we just figured they did it on purpose, you know, but we stayed at this hostel and slept and ate and.

[Assistant] No one had cell phones.


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] They were gone, oh, they were gone over half a day.

[Assistant] Yeah.

[User] Almost a day they were gone, going back after their, after their guns and. And we just figured they did it on purpose, you know, but we stayed at this hostel and slept and ate and.

[Assistant] No one had cell phones.

[User] Nothing, nothing. Finally they came back and we went out again and. And, you know, I was, they delivered me back to Hyderabad like a whole day later, later than I was supposed to have been.

[Assistant] And people in the office worried about you or?


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] Nothing, nothing. Finally they came back and we went out again and. And, you know, I was, they delivered me back to Hyderabad like a whole day later, later than I was supposed to have been.

[Assistant] And people in the office worried about you or?

[User] They were concerned.

[Assistant] Yeah.

[User] They were concerned but, uh.

[Assistant] Nothing they could do.


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] They were concerned but, uh.

[Assistant] Nothing they could do.

[User] Nothing they could do. And of course, you know, being it was India after I got back and told my story, they understood. So yeah.

[Assistant] Yeah.

[User] So that that was kind of, yeah, it was fun.

[Assistant] And the first Christmas?


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] First Christmas I was, I was, uh, raised Catholic and the two, I got to, I got to know pretty good the two volunteers, mechanic volunteers, in Hyderabad.

[Assistant] Yeah.

[User] And they both had motorcycles.

[Assistant] Yeah.

[User] And sometimes in the evening on weekends we, we'd spend a lot of time together, we'd go to movies. We'd, um, go out to eat, we'd hang out at their house, my house. Go sightseeing around the city. And, uh. So the first Christmas I remember we went to, uh, we went to. I think one of the other volunteers was Catholic and we went to church. Well, I was like going to church every Sunday anyway.

[Assistant] Oh, you were?


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] And they both had motorcycles.

[Assistant] Yeah.

[User] And sometimes in the evening on weekends we, we'd spend a lot of time together, we'd go to movies. We'd, um, go out to eat, we'd hang out at their house, my house. Go sightseeing around the city. And, uh. So the first Christmas I remember we went to, uh, we went to. I think one of the other volunteers was Catholic and we went to church. Well, I was like going to church every Sunday anyway.

[Assistant] Oh, you were?

[User] I did. At that time I did. I'd get up and, and we, then we'd go together and sometimes I'd go by myself.

[Assistant] Were you the only European in the church?


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] And sometimes in the evening on weekends we, we'd spend a lot of time together, we'd go to movies. We'd, um, go out to eat, we'd hang out at their house, my house. Go sightseeing around the city. And, uh. So the first Christmas I remember we went to, uh, we went to. I think one of the other volunteers was Catholic and we went to church. Well, I was like going to church every Sunday anyway.

[Assistant] Oh, you were?

[User] I did. At that time I did. I'd get up and, and we, then we'd go together and sometimes I'd go by myself.

[Assistant] Were you the only European in the church?

[User] I think there was others. I think. [tape break]

[Assistant] Okay. So you went to.


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] I think there was others. I think. [tape break]

[Assistant] Okay. So you went to.

[User] Went to church and I was going every Sunday and I remember going to like midnight mass and I remember there being a lot of candles and kind of like a procession, and they made a really big deal out of it. There was quite a few Christians Indians there. Um, so, um. Did that and then I don't remember. Oh, okay. So, um, I remember decorating my little house. The good old high school days of floats, homecoming floats, you know, and parades and everything. So. So I got this, I found this chicken wire, made probably a two foot cone shape out of a chicken wire. Then I found some, some red and green crepe paper, stuffed it in the chicken wire. And that was my Christmas tree.

[Assistant] Great, great.

[User] And I put little, somehow, I don't know what kind of ornaments on it. And of course, my neighbors, my landlady and my land people, they, landlords loved it. And, you know, and that was new to them, too, you know.

[Assistant] Right. Did, had you bought gifts and sent home, you know?


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] And so, so one day she and I. Her cousin was a doctor in the hospital. So she and I, she and I went to the hospital and she got her nose pierced and I got my ears pierced and.

[Assistant] Yeah.

[User] And so then I, I asked my family, I said, no, when you're, when you're sending like dried milk to me or cake mixes or, um. I said. I said, you know, some people find items missing, you know. I said, kind of open a box maybe of powdered milk and hide some earrings in the box. Well, I still, that way I still didn't get everything, you know, the Indians would open and take what they wanted. So I got most of the food, I think, but not. So after a while, I said, you know, I can buy earrings here.

[Assistant] Yeah. Yeah.

[User] But, um.

[Assistant] So you didn't exchange presents, I mean.


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] But, um.

[Assistant] So you didn't exchange presents, I mean.

[User] I didn't, no. So I didn't send anything home and I just collected. And then when I got home after two years, then they got their, everybody got something.

[Assistant] Right. Right.

[User] Souvenirs and things, you know.

[Assistant] But spending the first Christmas away from home wasn't a problem?


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] I didn't, no. So I didn't send anything home and I just collected. And then when I got home after two years, then they got their, everybody got something.

[Assistant] Right. Right.

[User] Souvenirs and things, you know.

[Assistant] But spending the first Christmas away from home wasn't a problem?

[User] Oh, no.

[Assistant] You were involved with lots of things.


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] Souvenirs and things, you know.

[Assistant] But spending the first Christmas away from home wasn't a problem?

[User] Oh, no.

[Assistant] You were involved with lots of things.

[User] Oh, sure.

[Assistant] Was there much of an American community in Hyderabad?


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] Oh, sure.

[Assistant] Was there much of an American community in Hyderabad?

[User] Um, and like I said, USAID, there was an office there. But we didn't, um. I remember 4th of July, we had a big, the first 4th of July I was there. Um. The AID office was in a separate little compound. And, and I remember going there for 4th of July, having a honest to goodness picnic.

[Assistant] Yeah.

[User] And fireworks and it's just a big celebration. And any volunteers that were not too far out of the city, they'd come in and, and, uh.

[Assistant] But the Americans who were with AID, they didn't try to socialize with, pull you into their circle?


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] Um, and like I said, USAID, there was an office there. But we didn't, um. I remember 4th of July, we had a big, the first 4th of July I was there. Um. The AID office was in a separate little compound. And, and I remember going there for 4th of July, having a honest to goodness picnic.

[Assistant] Yeah.

[User] And fireworks and it's just a big celebration. And any volunteers that were not too far out of the city, they'd come in and, and, uh.

[Assistant] But the Americans who were with AID, they didn't try to socialize with, pull you into their circle?

[User] Not very much, no. I was there for the 4th of July but.

[Assistant] Was there a conscious policy of, you know, staying separate?


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] And fireworks and it's just a big celebration. And any volunteers that were not too far out of the city, they'd come in and, and, uh.

[Assistant] But the Americans who were with AID, they didn't try to socialize with, pull you into their circle?

[User] Not very much, no. I was there for the 4th of July but.

[Assistant] Was there a conscious policy of, you know, staying separate?

[User] No, I don't think so. There was a, I think it was very, it was probably like, like maybe a couple of people in one little office. But other than that, there wasn't, there wasn't too many others. Yeah.

[Assistant] So during the first year, you also get some leave time. I gather you went off hunting with the Sikh.


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] And it was so good.

[Assistant] Yeah.

[User] And then did some shopping and I got earrings, and I'm still wearing my earrings. I still have them.

[Assistant] That's great.

[User] I got earrings. I got a, I think I got a sari there. I got, uh.

[Assistant] Did, uh, just since you mentioned it. Did you ever wear saris?


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] And then did some shopping and I got earrings, and I'm still wearing my earrings. I still have them.

[Assistant] That's great.

[User] I got earrings. I got a, I think I got a sari there. I got, uh.

[Assistant] Did, uh, just since you mentioned it. Did you ever wear saris?

[User] I did, yeah. Not right away, but after a while. Oh, I did wear their little, um, shalwar kameez, um, the, like the, like the loose. Well, at that time it wasn't loose. And they still wear them. They still wear them today like the.

[Assistant] The big over blouse.


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] I did, yeah. Not right away, but after a while. Oh, I did wear their little, um, shalwar kameez, um, the, like the, like the loose. Well, at that time it wasn't loose. And they still wear them. They still wear them today like the.

[Assistant] The big over blouse.

[User] Form fitting, the over blouse thing with the, with the, uh, with the pants that are, they're very full at the hips and come down skinny and narrow at the, at the ankle. And I had, and I still have those, I had several of those made.

[Assistant] Yeah.

[User] And I went to a tailor and they made those for me and I picked out my fabric and. At that time though, at that time it was a very form fitting like, like at the waist. And like a, like a form fitting top. It came down to like above the knees, just above the knees. And but now, of course, they're wearing them very loose.

[Assistant] Where would you wear the?


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] And I went to a tailor and they made those for me and I picked out my fabric and. At that time though, at that time it was a very form fitting like, like at the waist. And like a, like a form fitting top. It came down to like above the knees, just above the knees. And but now, of course, they're wearing them very loose.

[Assistant] Where would you wear the?

[User] I wore them all the time. I wore them to work. I wore them.

[Assistant] Oh, okay.

[User] Yeah, uh huh. I didn't, uh, every once in a while, I wore my American clothes. But, but, uh, it was just. I wore these most of the time.

[Assistant] Was your family happy to see you in Indian dress? I mean, the landlord's family.


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] I wore them all the time. I wore them to work. I wore them.

[Assistant] Oh, okay.

[User] Yeah, uh huh. I didn't, uh, every once in a while, I wore my American clothes. But, but, uh, it was just. I wore these most of the time.

[Assistant] Was your family happy to see you in Indian dress? I mean, the landlord's family.

[User] Yes, yes. I had all different. I probably had a trunk down there, probably, oh, probably about six or seven different outfits. Yeah.

[Assistant] Were there any restrictions on travel or, I mean, were you expected to stay within India?


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] And so every once in a while, they'd take us along.

[Assistant] Oh, great.

[User] Which to me was just fantastic because we got, we got to know more volunteers. We got to see what they were doing, how they lived.

[Assistant] Good.

[User] And it was just great.

[Assistant] Yeah, it sounds like it was a very enlightened office.


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] Which to me was just fantastic because we got, we got to know more volunteers. We got to see what they were doing, how they lived.

[Assistant] Good.

[User] And it was just great.

[Assistant] Yeah, it sounds like it was a very enlightened office.

[User] Yeah. So we had a driver, and we just traveled by, by, um, by vehicle.

[Assistant] What were some of the problems that existed in, from your perspective, sitting in the office?


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] Yeah. So we had a driver, and we just traveled by, by, um, by vehicle.

[Assistant] What were some of the problems that existed in, from your perspective, sitting in the office?

[User] Oh, oh, um. I think it was maybe cooperation from local, maybe local government people or. And of course, everybody had, I mean, just the time delays and, you know, there's.

[Assistant] Some corruption.

[User] Some corruption and just, you know, Americans, you know, are used to getting things done right away. Well, weeks and weeks of waiting until things could, they could get cooperation from government and getting started and, and, uh.

[Assistant] Would volunteers come into the office and sort of vent and?


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] Oh, oh, um. I think it was maybe cooperation from local, maybe local government people or. And of course, everybody had, I mean, just the time delays and, you know, there's.

[Assistant] Some corruption.

[User] Some corruption and just, you know, Americans, you know, are used to getting things done right away. Well, weeks and weeks of waiting until things could, they could get cooperation from government and getting started and, and, uh.

[Assistant] Would volunteers come into the office and sort of vent and?

[User] They did, they did.

[Assistant] To you or to the assistant or to whoever was listening?


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] Some corruption and just, you know, Americans, you know, are used to getting things done right away. Well, weeks and weeks of waiting until things could, they could get cooperation from government and getting started and, and, uh.

[Assistant] Would volunteers come into the office and sort of vent and?

[User] They did, they did.

[Assistant] To you or to the assistant or to whoever was listening?

[User] Yes. Yes.

[Assistant] So you were aware of that?


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] They did, they did.

[Assistant] To you or to the assistant or to whoever was listening?

[User] Yes. Yes.

[Assistant] So you were aware of that?

[User] Yeah. Yeah.

[Assistant] How about volunteer behavior, I mean, or misbehavior?


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] Yes. Yes.

[Assistant] So you were aware of that?

[User] Yeah. Yeah.

[Assistant] How about volunteer behavior, I mean, or misbehavior?

[User] Misbehavior.

[Assistant] Were any volunteers sent home while you were?


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] Misbehavior.

[Assistant] Were any volunteers sent home while you were?

[User] No, I don't recall any. There could have been some, but I don't recall any.

[Assistant] Okay. Yeah.

[User] Yeah, but, uh, I don't recall anybody.

[Assistant] All right. As you came to the end of the first year, uh, it sounds to me like you were thoroughly settled into the job.


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] No, I don't recall any. There could have been some, but I don't recall any.

[Assistant] Okay. Yeah.

[User] Yeah, but, uh, I don't recall anybody.

[Assistant] All right. As you came to the end of the first year, uh, it sounds to me like you were thoroughly settled into the job.

[User] Oh, I was, yeah.

[Assistant] And your living conditions were good.


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] Yeah, but, uh, I don't recall anybody.

[Assistant] All right. As you came to the end of the first year, uh, it sounds to me like you were thoroughly settled into the job.

[User] Oh, I was, yeah.

[Assistant] And your living conditions were good.

[User] They were good.

[Assistant] And you could, at that point, you sort of can look ahead and say, well, within ten months, whatever, I'm going to be going home.


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] Oh, I was, yeah.

[Assistant] And your living conditions were good.

[User] They were good.

[Assistant] And you could, at that point, you sort of can look ahead and say, well, within ten months, whatever, I'm going to be going home.

[User] Yeah.

[Assistant] Do you recall if you reflected back and forward? I mean, well, before I leave, I'd like to accomplish this or see this or do this.


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] They were good.

[Assistant] And you could, at that point, you sort of can look ahead and say, well, within ten months, whatever, I'm going to be going home.

[User] Yeah.

[Assistant] Do you recall if you reflected back and forward? I mean, well, before I leave, I'd like to accomplish this or see this or do this.

[User] Well, um. Probably so.

[Assistant] Don't let me put words.


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] Well, um. Probably so.

[Assistant] Don't let me put words.

[User] Yeah, I, uh, of course did some traveling then, but, um. I think when the time came. I don't know, for some reason, I just, I just pretty much went directly, directly home.

[Assistant] Okay.

[User] Yeah.

[Assistant] Let's take the second year. Was the second year at all different than the first?


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] Yeah, I, uh, of course did some traveling then, but, um. I think when the time came. I don't know, for some reason, I just, I just pretty much went directly, directly home.

[Assistant] Okay.

[User] Yeah.

[Assistant] Let's take the second year. Was the second year at all different than the first?

[User] I don't think so. I think I'm just more comfortable with the people and.

[Assistant] Did new staff come in?


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] Just fine. Um. She didn't spend much time in the office working and she decided she really didn't like it. So she found herself a teaching job in a school in Hyderabad.

[Assistant] Yeah.

[User] And she was teaching.

[Assistant] Nobody objected?

[User] No. No. And she got permission, of course, from the, the director. And then they of course, New Delhi okayed it and everything. So everything was, yeah.

[Assistant] Yeah. So your workload was heavy, but not impossible.


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] And she was teaching.

[Assistant] Nobody objected?

[User] No. No. And she got permission, of course, from the, the director. And then they of course, New Delhi okayed it and everything. So everything was, yeah.

[Assistant] Yeah. So your workload was heavy, but not impossible.

[User] Well, impossible took me into 8:00 at night and every once in a while 10:00 at night on really, really deadline, you know, projects. But yeah, we just, if there was work just stayed and worked.

[Assistant] And there was always, I mean, the flow was constant.


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] No. No. And she got permission, of course, from the, the director. And then they of course, New Delhi okayed it and everything. So everything was, yeah.

[Assistant] Yeah. So your workload was heavy, but not impossible.

[User] Well, impossible took me into 8:00 at night and every once in a while 10:00 at night on really, really deadline, you know, projects. But yeah, we just, if there was work just stayed and worked.

[Assistant] And there was always, I mean, the flow was constant.

[User] Yeah.

[Assistant] Do you recall, did groups that were finished have their, they used to call it a termination conference?


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] Well, impossible took me into 8:00 at night and every once in a while 10:00 at night on really, really deadline, you know, projects. But yeah, we just, if there was work just stayed and worked.

[Assistant] And there was always, I mean, the flow was constant.

[User] Yeah.

[Assistant] Do you recall, did groups that were finished have their, they used to call it a termination conference?

[User] They came into town. They came into Hyderabad and had, as a group, and had the little conference and, um, and then left.

[Assistant] Did you sit in on those or not?


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] Yeah.

[Assistant] Do you recall, did groups that were finished have their, they used to call it a termination conference?

[User] They came into town. They came into Hyderabad and had, as a group, and had the little conference and, um, and then left.

[Assistant] Did you sit in on those or not?

[User] Um, yeah, I think I did. I think I, I helped out maybe with materials. And I did, yeah.

[Assistant] Uh, so through the second year, was second year not much different than the first?


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] Not a whole lot.

[Assistant] Additional travel?

[User] Like I said, there were so many volunteers coming and going and conferences through there every six months or so. So there was always it seemed like groups coming and going.

[Assistant] Yeah, yeah.

[User] And then we, the new groups would of course be going to the airport or meet them at the train station or wherever. And, and um. Yeah. Always something going on.

[Assistant] Right. Were you satisfied that you had, you know, met Indians and become somewhat involved? I mean, you were going to church, which puts you in the.


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] Like I said, there were so many volunteers coming and going and conferences through there every six months or so. So there was always it seemed like groups coming and going.

[Assistant] Yeah, yeah.

[User] And then we, the new groups would of course be going to the airport or meet them at the train station or wherever. And, and um. Yeah. Always something going on.

[Assistant] Right. Were you satisfied that you had, you know, met Indians and become somewhat involved? I mean, you were going to church, which puts you in the.

[User] Yeah. Yeah. Um.

[Assistant] Or did you feel that there was a lot of India that you were kind of missing or?


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] And then we, the new groups would of course be going to the airport or meet them at the train station or wherever. And, and um. Yeah. Always something going on.

[Assistant] Right. Were you satisfied that you had, you know, met Indians and become somewhat involved? I mean, you were going to church, which puts you in the.

[User] Yeah. Yeah. Um.

[Assistant] Or did you feel that there was a lot of India that you were kind of missing or?

[User] Well, I think, I think once I got home, I probably thought, well, you know, I probably should have traveled more afterwards or, um. But, um.

[Assistant] But not while you were there. While you were there, you were busy and you felt your life was.


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] Yeah. Yeah. Um.

[Assistant] Or did you feel that there was a lot of India that you were kind of missing or?

[User] Well, I think, I think once I got home, I probably thought, well, you know, I probably should have traveled more afterwards or, um. But, um.

[Assistant] But not while you were there. While you were there, you were busy and you felt your life was.

[User] And at the time probably, um, being that I was there by myself as a volunteer, which meant I lived by myself and, and maybe, maybe at the time, I didn't feel comfortable about just going off and traveling by myself.

[Assistant] Alone, sure, sure.


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] Well, I think, I think once I got home, I probably thought, well, you know, I probably should have traveled more afterwards or, um. But, um.

[Assistant] But not while you were there. While you were there, you were busy and you felt your life was.

[User] And at the time probably, um, being that I was there by myself as a volunteer, which meant I lived by myself and, and maybe, maybe at the time, I didn't feel comfortable about just going off and traveling by myself.

[Assistant] Alone, sure, sure.

[User] Yeah. Yeah. That's probably the main reason that I didn't try to.

[Assistant] During the two years, do you recall thinking to yourself at all, well, I joined the Peace Corps, and I think, you know, it's been the experience I wanted?


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] Yeah. Yeah. That's probably the main reason that I didn't try to.

[Assistant] During the two years, do you recall thinking to yourself at all, well, I joined the Peace Corps, and I think, you know, it's been the experience I wanted?

[User] I think so.

[Assistant] Yeah.

[User] Because I, I knew, I knew from the beginning I wasn't, I wasn't a teacher. And I knew that, I didn't have the personality to be a teacher. And so I think I was, I was totally satisfied with, with what I did. And, uh, yeah, I was.

[Assistant] And as you're coming near the end of the second year, uh, any regrets? Any, well, are you ready to wrap it up?


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] I think so.

[Assistant] Yeah.

[User] Because I, I knew, I knew from the beginning I wasn't, I wasn't a teacher. And I knew that, I didn't have the personality to be a teacher. And so I think I was, I was totally satisfied with, with what I did. And, uh, yeah, I was.

[Assistant] And as you're coming near the end of the second year, uh, any regrets? Any, well, are you ready to wrap it up?

[User] Oh, I think so.

[Assistant] Were you being replaced?


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] Because I, I knew, I knew from the beginning I wasn't, I wasn't a teacher. And I knew that, I didn't have the personality to be a teacher. And so I think I was, I was totally satisfied with, with what I did. And, uh, yeah, I was.

[Assistant] And as you're coming near the end of the second year, uh, any regrets? Any, well, are you ready to wrap it up?

[User] Oh, I think so.

[Assistant] Were you being replaced?

[User] Um. Yeah. We didn't get any new volunteers in the office. And by then, by then, I think that's like two years.

[Assistant] Well, it's '68.


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] Oh, I think so.

[Assistant] Were you being replaced?

[User] Um. Yeah. We didn't get any new volunteers in the office. And by then, by then, I think that's like two years.

[Assistant] Well, it's '68.

[User] Yeah, '68. So they were still coming and going. Um. And I remember one of the associate directors had left. He went back to the States to I think go back to college or something.

[Assistant] Yeah. This period is the height of the anti-Vietnam War movement.


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] Um. Yeah. We didn't get any new volunteers in the office. And by then, by then, I think that's like two years.

[Assistant] Well, it's '68.

[User] Yeah, '68. So they were still coming and going. Um. And I remember one of the associate directors had left. He went back to the States to I think go back to college or something.

[Assistant] Yeah. This period is the height of the anti-Vietnam War movement.

[User] Right.

[Assistant] Do you recall it spilling over at all into the office?


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] Yeah, '68. So they were still coming and going. Um. And I remember one of the associate directors had left. He went back to the States to I think go back to college or something.

[Assistant] Yeah. This period is the height of the anti-Vietnam War movement.

[User] Right.

[Assistant] Do you recall it spilling over at all into the office?

[User] Not really.

[Assistant] Or discussions with volunteers?


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] Right.

[Assistant] Do you recall it spilling over at all into the office?

[User] Not really.

[Assistant] Or discussions with volunteers?

[User] Not really. It seems like I almost lost two years. I didn't lose, but I kind of missed out on two years of kind of what was going on in Vietnam. We kind of, you know, we had newspapers and BBC once in a while. But, but, but I don't regret missing out too much. Well, I just know we did kind of miss out on that and maybe the music scene in the States and the, and some of that. But, um. But no really regrets.

[Assistant] Do you recall volunteers who had any trouble with the draft?


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] Not really.

[Assistant] Or discussions with volunteers?

[User] Not really. It seems like I almost lost two years. I didn't lose, but I kind of missed out on two years of kind of what was going on in Vietnam. We kind of, you know, we had newspapers and BBC once in a while. But, but, but I don't regret missing out too much. Well, I just know we did kind of miss out on that and maybe the music scene in the States and the, and some of that. But, um. But no really regrets.

[Assistant] Do you recall volunteers who had any trouble with the draft?

[User] No, I didn't.

[Assistant] Okay. All right.


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] Not really. It seems like I almost lost two years. I didn't lose, but I kind of missed out on two years of kind of what was going on in Vietnam. We kind of, you know, we had newspapers and BBC once in a while. But, but, but I don't regret missing out too much. Well, I just know we did kind of miss out on that and maybe the music scene in the States and the, and some of that. But, um. But no really regrets.

[Assistant] Do you recall volunteers who had any trouble with the draft?

[User] No, I didn't.

[Assistant] Okay. All right.

[User] And we had, we had, you know, single volunteers that we have, um, I think in all groups we had couples also serving.

[Assistant] Any, through the two years, your health was generally good?


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] No, I didn't.

[Assistant] Okay. All right.

[User] And we had, we had, you know, single volunteers that we have, um, I think in all groups we had couples also serving.

[Assistant] Any, through the two years, your health was generally good?

[User] Yes, I think so. I think I had a couple of bouts of dysentery at first. Um, got straightened out there. Avoided, you know, the water, boiled the water and.

[Assistant] Was malaria a problem?


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] And we had, we had, you know, single volunteers that we have, um, I think in all groups we had couples also serving.

[Assistant] Any, through the two years, your health was generally good?

[User] Yes, I think so. I think I had a couple of bouts of dysentery at first. Um, got straightened out there. Avoided, you know, the water, boiled the water and.

[Assistant] Was malaria a problem?

[User] No.

[Assistant] Were you taking?


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] Yes, I think so. I think I had a couple of bouts of dysentery at first. Um, got straightened out there. Avoided, you know, the water, boiled the water and.

[Assistant] Was malaria a problem?

[User] No.

[Assistant] Were you taking?

[User] No, no.

[Assistant] Okay, wasn't a malarial area.


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] Of course before we left we had, you know, every week in training we had go to some health office and we had shots like every, every week.

[Assistant] Yeah.

[User] For this and that, just about everything.

[Assistant] Yeah.

[User] But, uh, I don't recall people getting really sick except with maybe dysentery.

[Assistant] Okay, as you finish your tour and what are your plans at that point?


[System] Act as an information elicitation agent for oral history.

[User] For this and that, just about everything.

[Assistant] Yeah.

[User] But, uh, I don't recall people getting really sick except with maybe dysentery.

[Assistant] Okay, as you finish your tour and what are your plans at that point?

[User] Plans? I came home and, and, um.

[Assistant] Talk about the reentry to the U.S. Now, you've been in a very exotic place for two years.