Kathy to "Miss Hilarious"
August 30, 1970
Tehran, Iran
[Mushroom stationery]
Dear Hilary,
I'm writing now while today is fresh in my mind - I do hope I can forget today, though.
I have simply learned that the names of the days are relative to where you are. Today is Sunday - but actually it's Tuesday or the equivilant ("spelling) of it, as yesterday was my first day of school. We get Thur. + Fri. off.
Have you seen the movie "Suddenly Last Summer"? Where all the little kids rush at the guy? I know how he feels. Today, at about 4:00 we went to the Bazaar - I wearing my orange dress with white flowers - which isn't THAT short. But apparently Iranians think any short skirt daring, or whatever, Because all the women wear long pieces of cloth over their heads and to mid-calf, or the ground. I guess they are not USED to seeing legs. When I left (with my parents - I would NEVER go alone) a store I was in, there was a whole crowd of men outside in the Bazaar. I had never been more humiliated, embarresed and scared in all my life. With my legs, - it's quantity more than quality - but any leg is a novelty to the Iranian men, I guess. We decided that Mom & I ought to go home, because it really couldn't go on like that, and tried to catch a Taxi - which is nearly impossible. Needless to say we caught one, and also as needless, the crowd followed. The poor man in the Taxi couldn't understand English, nor we Persian. After an hour of frustration we finally got to the Hotel. Just as we left the Bazaar the people had surrounded our Taxi, boy was I scared! Maybe I shouldn't have been. I don't know, well, I'll know not to wear a short skirt again! - But they say pants are ok.
Speaking of pants, we can wear them to school here all the time, but not jeans. That leaves me out there, unless I argue that my blue pants aren't REALLY jeans.
I'm very disapointed with school. At least I was in some of my classes with intelligent kids [in Arlington], but no such luck here. English is really a disapointment, the teacher is Lobbinish at 30, a Texan, an apparent lover of grammar, and hater of poetry and l i t e r a t u r e. Think how many poets are nipped in the bud that way. Small loss for some people - but I who have no other virtue than the love of the same (poetry & literature) well, what do I do? The teacher asked us to write the answers to the usual dull first-day-of-school questions. I tried to answer them truthfully, but when she asked "What is the thing you have wanted to do (that you haven't) and what have you done about it?" I had to lie, and I'm sure almost everyone else did too. Maybe it was subconcious to them. I put answers that were very idealistic and poet-like--That wins immediate favor with some teachers, and turns others off completely. Patton (her name [Last]) would be turned OFF, but then, that's what I want. (<-want, not wart)
Spanish I'm going to get out of and take Persian culture instead. Spanish had little use in Arlington, but here it has None at all. I've told Gale about it, I think, so I wont say it again - I'm in Geometry, though Heavan Forbid, how shall I do in it? There are 12th graders on my bus who take Alg. I - grief! There are some grease types, a lot of the bubbly-flirty type, and hardly any silent fools like myself. I have a friend, but she's only in two classes, and I don't know too much about her. However, time will tell, and...No. Longest hair I've seen here is Blair's length...There is a boy who looks like Alex, but a foot shorter, and is the silent type, but unfortunately (and that can be said of everyone decent) he is a senior, and I'm only a freshman, even if I am a foot taller than him. I'm the only person (I believe) who has glasses [wire-rim] like mine, and the set of values to go with it exists only in my lonely self.
I have picked up a few things in England that have changed my outlook a bit, to the better I think. Did you know that there are people who worship a Lucifer like my Lucifer - NOT Satan (not the mouse, either), but really the good, and beautiful L I G H T. How could I have known about it before? I don't think I told anyone how much I loved the idea of my Lucifer back in Arlington. The "Epic Poem" was a corruption of it. I don't know - I will have to send you the magazine I saw.
I dont want to use another paper, and though I have a lot more to say, I've forgotten. I'll remember, though, as soon as I seal the envelope. I miss everyone, and SO wish to be back again. I even dream of it. Well, Goodbye - LOVE, Kathy.
6:04:17 AM 
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