Hello Florence!!!!! This is good old what's his name from Crockett. Remember me? Wow, I was wondering when you were going to write to me. I was real disappointed when I couldn't make it to Malaysia. The travel books said that the train and bus were not so good because of political problems. I think now, by your letter, that they were probably being over cautious for travelers. But I can tell you for certain that Bangkok was a real drag.I would have liked it so much more if we were together to travel around. And after this last trip I think I can agree with you that Malaysia is probably a lot nicer than any of the other places I have been in Asia. I made a stop in the Philippines and the pollution practically choked me to death. YUK! But after my first day in Bangkok I was already trying to get hold of you. I think you should stick with one name. Remember, we Americans have limited brain power since we are not fed doses of Matol three times a day as in more advanced cultures. Well anyway-at least your car is clean. Really Florence, Bangkok was a real bummer. LOTS AND LOTS OF TRAFFIC.My friends had told me to go up to the mountains but I didn't get the chance to do that either. And again the travel books told me that the GOLDEN TRIANGLE was a not a place to be hanging around. I think these books are written for elderly people who can't outrun bullets. Don't the authors understand that time in a Thai jail is part of the adventure? And by the way. I did notice the mirrors in all the hotel rooms and the ladies in the hallways. I picked up a video camera before I left home and have some real funny videos of Pat Pong Road (spelling?). Lots of men tourists on this road but I noticed that not too many of the ladies were being taken home. (Pretty Smart)I did find it a bit funny when even little old ladies would come up to me and say "Hey you want to see fuck show? Onry two darra." I just don't see how the girls can make any money. I mean it's only two dollars to see the show and there were so many of them. It was nice to see that the tourists were using common sense and not taking them home. Anyway, as far as Bangkok goes, it was generally a real drag. Lot's of traffic and lot's of hussle. I hear they have Elephant rides in Northern Thailand. Now that sounds like fun. When I left Pat Pong (spelling?) Road I heard one of the women mention the elephant rides just as the fat Australian passed by. Well things are certainly settling down in the Middle East. I think the whole situation is very unfortunate yet I am very pleased with the way it is being handled. I am real pleased to see the general unity of so many nations in the action against Iraq. So far there hasn't been a single bullet fired and the unified sanctions seem to be working. This is the first REAL test on the United Nations and I am so glad to see things are working out without a big war. I was really afraid of that. I guess we are moving into a more peaceful world after all. Even though it may be happening very slow. What big years 1989 and 1990 have been. But I can tell you for sure that I am very glad that I am not in the service. I do find it very interesting that the U.S. action in the Middle East is getting such world wide support. I haven't seen anything like that before. The U.S. usually ends up being the Bad Guy in so many things. Some times I think what a bummer it is to be a major power. It seems that so many nations expect us to make a move first(if action is needed) and if that action fails, then the U.S. takes the heat.But I think the major issue here is that, with all the general motion towards peace around the world, dictators are just not tolerated as much as they used to be, and the U.N. is learning how to act as a unified group (for once). As far as I can tell much of the Arab World was a bit up tight about the wealth of Kuwait. Yet the action of just plundering Kuwait did not sit well with the Arab Nations. I mean they plundered the only remaining towel supply house. Now what will they wear on their heads? Oh well, I guess we'll have to just wait and see what happens. And thank our lucky stars that we don't live in Bagdad. So far I am very optimistic about the results of this situation. So how are you these days Florence. How's the family? I would like to hear about some of your recent escapades. I know how much you like to travel. Now that I am home I'm back to composing which gives me a lot of satisfaction. I wasn't all that pleased with the last tune that I wrote so I ended up not sending it. Pride, pride, pride. Oh well. But I'm learning how to compose in the traditional sense now and preparing once again to return to school. I need to have all the traditional skills covered before I can move into electronic music at a good college. And the college I want to go to is one of the three best in the nation. I also have my eye on a nice portable computer which I can take to work so I can utilise idle time for study. But the computer has to wait until I finish paying off the new motorcycle I purchased! Yes I bought a new motorcycle! Well it's not really brand new. It's an older and really nice one with low mileage. It's quite large (1100 cc's) and a classic style. It's great for cruising on long trips to the mountains or to the ocean. It was such a good deal. A friend of mine, who is married, was harried by his wife to sell it so I got it real cheap (about half of what it is worth). I can't wait to pay it off so I can get it registered and insured. And with the price of gasoline going up it will be a nice alternative to my old faithful truck when traveling to work. When it is payed off I can sell the other one (still in the garage) and put the money towards the portable computer I'm wanting so much. Oh yes, I really like all those little things you have been sending me in the mail. The key chain, and little pieces of cloth from your sewing were all very cute. Thank you very much. Your a really nice gal Florence, in more ways than one! What would the world be like without women? Well, probably a lot more quiet and a lot more boring! Say do you have a boy friend yet? I'm still single and rather glad that the pen pal project is over. I wish that we were not so far apart and we could see each other often. It would be fun to travel together again. Recently there is a gal hanging around who is kind of ok but she mothers me too too much. It kind of gets on my nerves after a while. And she talks all the time. Sometimes I want to buy her a muzzle from the pet store so I can get some peace and quiet.How is your pilot friend? Has he flown over to see you? Well any way, I think I'll wrap up this letter and send it along. I really like all the letters I get from you. Your English is really terrific. After traveling to all those yucky places, and feeling quite isolated by my inability to speak the languages, I really appreciate your command of English. How did you ever become so good at speaking English? You probably told me but I forgot. I guess it was used a lot in school in your younger years. Oh and that reminds me. When is your birthday? Apparently I forgot the date. Oh well let me know ok. I can still send you a little birthday gift even though it is probably quite late. Besides, women always remember things like that. There must be some sort of deficiency in the man's brain for dates. And before I forget, I'm getting better at my word processing as you can see. The nice pictures and things are done with a new program and a much better printer. The printer is a Hewlett Packard Desk Jet. It looks like a laser printer but costs a lot less. The only drawback is that it uses a water based ink. So if you spill tea on the print it will run! Well it sure has been nice hearing from you and write to me again soon ok? And I'll try not to keep you waiting so long. You're a really great gal Florence, nice and trim, and a great personality. And I always love the nice smile you have in the zillions of photos that I have of you. It's great. And I always have very fond memories of our time together. Take good care of yourself and say hello to your family for me ok? Your good friend for Crockett, Donald.