HANDWRITTEN TRAVEL DIARY - Hippies - Beatniks - Volkswagen Bus - Camping - Europe - VW - 1961
Item History & Price
FANTASTIC, ORIGINAL HANDWRITTEN TRAVEL DIARY KEPT BY MARY WHITFORD STREIT, AS SHE AND HUSBAND VIC, AND THEIR FIVE CHILDREN TRAVEL ACROSS EUROPE IN A VOLKSWAGEN BUS CAMPER. THEY TRAVEL LIKE HIPPIES AND HAVE THE MOST MAGNIFICENT ADVENTURES, 1961-1962. Camping; staying in hotels; setting up house in pensions; tenting; eating food out of cans for days; getting stuck in mud, muck, ice and snow; following a caravan of trucks carrying petrol over mountains; hiking in the Alps; swimming in the... Mediterranean at Monte Carlo; having no heat or hot water in their apartment for days; living in the VW camper for short periods of time; travelling with five children (4 boys and 1 girl); missing trains; buses; ships; and so much more, and these folks took it all in their stride. Mary and Vic, and the children too, tried to re-frame everything positive, which makes it such a joy to read this travel log. Mary was a graduate of Swarthmore College, class of 1939, and Victor was a graduate of Columbia University. During World War Two, he was a Lieutenant in the United States Marines, which enables this family to find service bases abroad to shop, go to the commissary and to use the PX where Mary declares "at last, a good cup of real coffee." (Additional images after listing.)
Mary and Vic with their five children (Robert; Daniel; Thomas; Andrew; Lydia) in tow loved to travel, and travel they did. This one diary from November 15, 1961, through January 22, 1962, approximately three months travel, and Mary absolutely covers every page of the 129 pages in this notebook diary. Everywhere they went, every penny they spent, every museum, library, monument, cathedral, beach, highway and byway they traveled, every adventure, etc., is covered in copious detail by our author Mary Whitford Streit. She loved the history of the towns and places they would visit. She took everything with a grain of salt and a bit of humor, keeping track of everyone and everything; and every penny. Mary records every penny they spent along their journey, from 50 cents for fruits, up to a grand repair bill on the VW of $33.00, a nice apartment in Menton for $75.00 for the week, etc. Menton, nicknamed the Pearl of France, is located on the Mediterranean Sea at the Franco-Italian border, just across from the Ligurian town of Ventimiglia. The French Riviera, Monte Carlo, etc. where they saw the Prince and Princess; went swimming and picnicking on the beaches, and saw all there was to see, before moving on.
While in Europe the children would often stay with Aunt Henrietta and Uncle Emil in Goldern (Hasliberg) Switzerland, for months at a time. On this trip, while the children were in Switzerland, Mary and Vic were serious students at the University in Madrid, taking numerous courses in hopes of being able to teach at schools as they traveled across Europe. At one point when the children had joined them again, the whole family met up with Mary's mother and father in Genoa as her parents had just finished a visit to the Far East and Mary and Vic yearned to go there next. These children were world travelers who made the best of everything. Actually Mary and Vic traveled so much that the children often spent the school year in Switzerland or Germany. This couple had contacts and relatives in Switzerland, France, Germany, Italy, etc. While driving their VW through these countries they visited numerous villages, towns and enclaves that the typical American tourist never got to see. When staying in pensions, hotels campground cabins, visiting relatives, etc., Mary would go into great detail as to the layout of the rooms, their size, furniture, and all that she saw and experienced. I could not put this book down until I had read it cover to cover. Every page is exciting and this is such a very worthy acquisition indeed.
"Nov. 15, 1961, There was a very exciting procession going up the street. About forty of Franco's mounted guard, complete with chromium helmets, were escorting two carriages through town. A class mate told us it was an Ambassador on his way to present his credentials to General Franco. More exciting even, was a brawl between two of the old ladies who sell cigarettes, lottery tickets, papers, etc. They were hitting each other, pulling each other's hair, and storming in general. Then some on-lookers got into it and two policemen finally had to break it up. No explanation! When we got home there was a letter from the Agence Amarante in Menton, saying we can have Mme Serr's apartment in Menton for January for about $75. It's only two rooms, but should be adequate sleeping space for the week that we will all be there. We walked all the way home, stopping for an hour in the Museo de Arte Contemporance. They had one Picasso, from his Blue period; one Dali; five or six by Gris, and a representative group by Marie Blanchard. The rest were mostly Spanish - some very good, some incomprehensible, some where you wonder if even the artist took himself seriously. Our university identifications got us in for free."
"Nov. 18, Yesteray we got the car back. It really looks like brand new! They did a terrific job on the dents and scratches. The whole job, including straightening the hinges and repainting, and also changing the oil and general 6, 000 mile check-up was $33.00, a third of the Lucerne estimate. We drove right to the Torrejon base where we picked up some odds and ends. I had a cup of "real" coffee in the PX. After a show we went downtown for dinner at the Romeria Andaluz. Even at almost ten, we were the first, but were quickly joined by two Spanish couples. The restaurant is very picturesque, with one wall done in wood, exactly like the bullring in Sevilla. There are capes hanging over the barrera, a "closed ticket window with "no hay billetes" a mounted bull's head, banderillas, etc."
"Jan. 11, 1962. The children are going back to school in Switzerland and Germany. "We picked up the children's luggage and headed for the train station about 11 a.m. Tom (who was 9 years old), and Rob had knapsacks on their backs. We stopped to buy pizza for the kids to eat on the train; Lydia (the youngest, and the only girl), carried the food and her umbrella. Rob had the tickets, passports, and money; he was also directly responsible for Tom, as Andy was for Lydia. When we got to the platform there were hundreds of passengers with thousands of pieces of luggage. All our planning went for nothing as the train pulled in. Most of the passengers were laborers returning to Germany and Switzerland after the holidays. Their friends were already aboard saving seats and taking their luggage in through the windows. Vic got a foothold before the train stopped and Lydia trying to follow, was knocked right off her feet. We lost sight of Vic and didn't dare try to find other seats. He went through three cars before he could find any seats at all."
"The bedlam was unbelievable. Things finally ended up with Andy and Dan in the same compartment, Rob and Tommy in another car but in separate compartments, and Lydia still on the platform. I knew Rob was saving her a seat, but I didn't know which car he was in. As the trainmen were closing up the doors, we were calling Rob. Finally Vic pushed his way out of the train and we boosted Lydia in through the window just as the train was leaving. The last we saw, passengers standing jammed in the aisles, were passing her along to Rob. We really felt dreadful about seeing them leave in such a mix-up. The first thing we did when we got back to Menton was to call Aunt Hariette. She seemed surprised that we were concerned. The children hadn't mentioned any of the confusion, but were glad to see their friends in Lucerne, before boarding the train for Brunig."
There is so much in this diary that I have not even made a dent in the contents. They visited so many places in Spain, Germany, France, Switzerland, etc. The Pyrenees, the Alps, the Riviera and beyond, and each day there was something new they learned about these countries, and Mary would record that. She would often write about the culture, the pension owners and their families that they would stay with. I wish I could picture every page it is that interesting. And it appears they were trying (at one point) to connect with the ship the MS Aurelia.
Our author: Mary Whitford Streit, was a graduate of Jamaica High School, NY. Mary received her B.A. in French from Swarthmore College where she was a Phi Beta Kappa scholar. She earned an M.A. from Columbia University and did further graduate work at UCLA. During World War II, Mary worked for the French government in the US, The Voice of America, and at Salem Academy, NC. Mary taught high school French and Spanish on Long Island for 20 years and was the first president of the Levittown, NY, chapter of the American Association of University Women. Together with her husband of 72 years, Victor Streit, they traveled extensively in retirement, visiting over 100 countries around the world. The couple also established a secondary school, Wesley College, in Grenada, W.I., under the auspices of the Board of Global Ministries of the Methodist Church. Mary and Vic moved to Florida, to Little Club in Tequesta in 1983, and to Allegro in Jupiter in 2012. Mary died in July of 2016.They had five children, Robert, Andrew, Daniel, Thomas and Lydia. Mary died at the age of 97, after living a full life and a life of service. Mary was born in 1919 and in 1961-62 when she wrote this diary she was 43 years old.
Condition: Stiff blue wraps on a typical spiral bound note book is where Mary wrote her diary, and what a diary this is. You will love it. She started writing this particular travel journal on November 15, 1961, and ended it on January 22, 1962. There are 129 pages all with handwritten entries. Often Mary will use 5-6 pages to write about one single day as there is so much happening in their lives. Book measures approx. 6 x 9 inches and is in good condition, internally fresh and tight with crisp and clear penmanship.
Payment and Shipping: Please see our feedback and bid with confidence. Never a reserve and very low opening bid as always.. Bidders with zero feedback must contact us before bidding. Payment must be received within 3 days after close of auction. Thank you.
Mary and Vic with their five children (Robert; Daniel; Thomas; Andrew; Lydia) in tow loved to travel, and travel they did. This one diary from November 15, 1961, through January 22, 1962, approximately three months travel, and Mary absolutely covers every page of the 129 pages in this notebook diary. Everywhere they went, every penny they spent, every museum, library, monument, cathedral, beach, highway and byway they traveled, every adventure, etc., is covered in copious detail by our author Mary Whitford Streit. She loved the history of the towns and places they would visit. She took everything with a grain of salt and a bit of humor, keeping track of everyone and everything; and every penny. Mary records every penny they spent along their journey, from 50 cents for fruits, up to a grand repair bill on the VW of $33.00, a nice apartment in Menton for $75.00 for the week, etc. Menton, nicknamed the Pearl of France, is located on the Mediterranean Sea at the Franco-Italian border, just across from the Ligurian town of Ventimiglia. The French Riviera, Monte Carlo, etc. where they saw the Prince and Princess; went swimming and picnicking on the beaches, and saw all there was to see, before moving on.
While in Europe the children would often stay with Aunt Henrietta and Uncle Emil in Goldern (Hasliberg) Switzerland, for months at a time. On this trip, while the children were in Switzerland, Mary and Vic were serious students at the University in Madrid, taking numerous courses in hopes of being able to teach at schools as they traveled across Europe. At one point when the children had joined them again, the whole family met up with Mary's mother and father in Genoa as her parents had just finished a visit to the Far East and Mary and Vic yearned to go there next. These children were world travelers who made the best of everything. Actually Mary and Vic traveled so much that the children often spent the school year in Switzerland or Germany. This couple had contacts and relatives in Switzerland, France, Germany, Italy, etc. While driving their VW through these countries they visited numerous villages, towns and enclaves that the typical American tourist never got to see. When staying in pensions, hotels campground cabins, visiting relatives, etc., Mary would go into great detail as to the layout of the rooms, their size, furniture, and all that she saw and experienced. I could not put this book down until I had read it cover to cover. Every page is exciting and this is such a very worthy acquisition indeed.
"Nov. 15, 1961, There was a very exciting procession going up the street. About forty of Franco's mounted guard, complete with chromium helmets, were escorting two carriages through town. A class mate told us it was an Ambassador on his way to present his credentials to General Franco. More exciting even, was a brawl between two of the old ladies who sell cigarettes, lottery tickets, papers, etc. They were hitting each other, pulling each other's hair, and storming in general. Then some on-lookers got into it and two policemen finally had to break it up. No explanation! When we got home there was a letter from the Agence Amarante in Menton, saying we can have Mme Serr's apartment in Menton for January for about $75. It's only two rooms, but should be adequate sleeping space for the week that we will all be there. We walked all the way home, stopping for an hour in the Museo de Arte Contemporance. They had one Picasso, from his Blue period; one Dali; five or six by Gris, and a representative group by Marie Blanchard. The rest were mostly Spanish - some very good, some incomprehensible, some where you wonder if even the artist took himself seriously. Our university identifications got us in for free."
"Nov. 18, Yesteray we got the car back. It really looks like brand new! They did a terrific job on the dents and scratches. The whole job, including straightening the hinges and repainting, and also changing the oil and general 6, 000 mile check-up was $33.00, a third of the Lucerne estimate. We drove right to the Torrejon base where we picked up some odds and ends. I had a cup of "real" coffee in the PX. After a show we went downtown for dinner at the Romeria Andaluz. Even at almost ten, we were the first, but were quickly joined by two Spanish couples. The restaurant is very picturesque, with one wall done in wood, exactly like the bullring in Sevilla. There are capes hanging over the barrera, a "closed ticket window with "no hay billetes" a mounted bull's head, banderillas, etc."
"Jan. 11, 1962. The children are going back to school in Switzerland and Germany. "We picked up the children's luggage and headed for the train station about 11 a.m. Tom (who was 9 years old), and Rob had knapsacks on their backs. We stopped to buy pizza for the kids to eat on the train; Lydia (the youngest, and the only girl), carried the food and her umbrella. Rob had the tickets, passports, and money; he was also directly responsible for Tom, as Andy was for Lydia. When we got to the platform there were hundreds of passengers with thousands of pieces of luggage. All our planning went for nothing as the train pulled in. Most of the passengers were laborers returning to Germany and Switzerland after the holidays. Their friends were already aboard saving seats and taking their luggage in through the windows. Vic got a foothold before the train stopped and Lydia trying to follow, was knocked right off her feet. We lost sight of Vic and didn't dare try to find other seats. He went through three cars before he could find any seats at all."
"The bedlam was unbelievable. Things finally ended up with Andy and Dan in the same compartment, Rob and Tommy in another car but in separate compartments, and Lydia still on the platform. I knew Rob was saving her a seat, but I didn't know which car he was in. As the trainmen were closing up the doors, we were calling Rob. Finally Vic pushed his way out of the train and we boosted Lydia in through the window just as the train was leaving. The last we saw, passengers standing jammed in the aisles, were passing her along to Rob. We really felt dreadful about seeing them leave in such a mix-up. The first thing we did when we got back to Menton was to call Aunt Hariette. She seemed surprised that we were concerned. The children hadn't mentioned any of the confusion, but were glad to see their friends in Lucerne, before boarding the train for Brunig."
There is so much in this diary that I have not even made a dent in the contents. They visited so many places in Spain, Germany, France, Switzerland, etc. The Pyrenees, the Alps, the Riviera and beyond, and each day there was something new they learned about these countries, and Mary would record that. She would often write about the culture, the pension owners and their families that they would stay with. I wish I could picture every page it is that interesting. And it appears they were trying (at one point) to connect with the ship the MS Aurelia.
Our author: Mary Whitford Streit, was a graduate of Jamaica High School, NY. Mary received her B.A. in French from Swarthmore College where she was a Phi Beta Kappa scholar. She earned an M.A. from Columbia University and did further graduate work at UCLA. During World War II, Mary worked for the French government in the US, The Voice of America, and at Salem Academy, NC. Mary taught high school French and Spanish on Long Island for 20 years and was the first president of the Levittown, NY, chapter of the American Association of University Women. Together with her husband of 72 years, Victor Streit, they traveled extensively in retirement, visiting over 100 countries around the world. The couple also established a secondary school, Wesley College, in Grenada, W.I., under the auspices of the Board of Global Ministries of the Methodist Church. Mary and Vic moved to Florida, to Little Club in Tequesta in 1983, and to Allegro in Jupiter in 2012. Mary died in July of 2016.They had five children, Robert, Andrew, Daniel, Thomas and Lydia. Mary died at the age of 97, after living a full life and a life of service. Mary was born in 1919 and in 1961-62 when she wrote this diary she was 43 years old.
Condition: Stiff blue wraps on a typical spiral bound note book is where Mary wrote her diary, and what a diary this is. You will love it. She started writing this particular travel journal on November 15, 1961, and ended it on January 22, 1962. There are 129 pages all with handwritten entries. Often Mary will use 5-6 pages to write about one single day as there is so much happening in their lives. Book measures approx. 6 x 9 inches and is in good condition, internally fresh and tight with crisp and clear penmanship.
Payment and Shipping: Please see our feedback and bid with confidence. Never a reserve and very low opening bid as always.. Bidders with zero feedback must contact us before bidding. Payment must be received within 3 days after close of auction. Thank you.
