July, 2001

Dear Rolf,

As I read your latest update from India and the Himalayas and remember my experiences there (such as a week in Kathmandu where the rain was so heavy that the planes could not get in or out and I never once got a look at the mountains that surround it), I indeed waxed nostalgic. Then I thought to myself "That Rolf's a piker! He thinks HE has travel adventures!"

Twice in the last three months, I have had the dubious pleasure of driving my 81 year old mother and 85 year old aunt (a different one each time) to family functions (funeral and wedding) eight or so hours away from my home in Wichita, KS. The ladies were wonderful and very tolerant, if not at all times in total control of their mental and bodily functions. It is bad to be either senile or incontinent, but both together are particularly distressing. Imagine being incontinent and not knowing what continent you are in. Of course, walking from the car to any roadside facility was slow and labored for the aunt (Mom is really very spry) — so stops, while frequent were never brief. Add to that the endless loops of conversation about insignificant things (a kind of rosary of inanities) and the wonderful tapes of The Thousand and One Strings playing "Rod Stewart's Greatest Hits" (which they so thoughtfully brought along), and you will begin to get the idea. Dysentary is a piece of cake compared to the same symptoms in two old ladies in steel belted, industrial rated pantyhose.

The events themselves were great fun, especially the wedding proceedings in the wealthy but alcoholic branch of the family. So many of the cousins from both sides of the family were there sans spouses that it at times seemed as though an English countryhouse weekend was being played out in the Holiday Inn Central of Rochester, Minnesota. Ah, Cousin Ruthie (from my cousin's wife's side of the family — really!).

Anyway, I have my little adventures here while waiting to get back on the road. Luckily, I piled up a lot of travel memories of the sixty-some countries I have visited, and these will have to hold me until I can travel again. Maybe even without the geriatric companions.

Bill Jenkins
Wichita, KS