Birkhofer letters

October 9, 1977

Dear Mom,

I received your letter the day [underline] after [/underline] I had 'write Mom' on my list of things to do. I was really happy to hear from you before I did write; now I know what's going on and I don't need to enquire. But what you want to know is what's happening in England, and I'll attempt to give you a clear picture, although it is actually impossible to communicate about my experiences accurately in writing. My trip has been totally enlightening; that doesn't mean I have been happy the entire time, rather that new doors seem to [insert] be [/insert] opening inside me all the time.

Where should I begin? Paris is beautiful, but I wouldn't go back alone unless I spoke French. Munich is a magical place. The people are cheery, warm, and often speak English. I had a great time at the Oktoberfest, drinking several mass of beer a day (a mass is equal to about a litre) and marveling at the Germans who would be singing and dancing on top of the tables inside the massive brewery tents to the Bavarian music being played by a centrally located band. Just incredible! Onward to London for several days with Marilyn and Dan, and then Cliveden...

Ah, Cliveden. You wouldn't believe it if you saw it. The Cliveden house is a huge country mansion, originally built in 1666, but altered several times since, containing over [underline] one hundred [/underline] rooms. I call it home. There is an enormous entry hall (really a living room); a formal dining room which we don't use; a study; a full library; an entire wing for our professors' offices and classrooms; another wing for our living quarters (formerly for servants); a basement level with the kitchen and dining room, a weight room, T.V. room, laundry room, snooker (similar to billiards) room, ping pong room, dancing room, a [underline] pub [/underline] that is open every night and is run by ourselves, and a piano room. Picture all this and a giant stone exterior that gives an impression of [underline] history [/underline], and you have the Cliveden house. But probably the

most impressive element is the estate itself. The grounds cover hundreds of acres and include a formal rose garden, a water garden, a long garden with sculptured hedges, a soccer field, tennis court and swimming pool, and the River Thames with our own bathhouse and a canoe. There are several cottages on the estate which are inhabited by the various staff members and their families. Not to mention wooded forest and trails for running. Everything is so green - dark, light, all different hues but beau tifully green because of the wet climate. It does rain frequently, like almost everyday!, though usually the sun breaks through for short periods daily also. You almost appreciate the sun more when you don't have it regularly, but I have always been grateful for the California rays. The Cliveden estate is located several miles from the nearest town in the English countryside which is classically picturesque. It sounds like I'm overdescribing, but I'm just giving you a small taste.

School definitely seems out of place in this setting, and the truth is that the academic program is very relaxed. I'm taking Church Architecture, History of London, and The Stage: 1400-1900. We take alot of field trips (ha, ha, hee!). So far, Oxford (a beautiful town and college), Stratford-Upon Avon, and London many times. Friday night I saw A Chorus Line, the very popular musical production; if you haven't seen it, I would recommend that you do. It's really enjoyable. An introduction to so-called 'culture' has been a big part of this adventure I'm on. Some people argue that California hasn't got any. I would say that we have a perfectly valid culture with different priorities than the East coast of the U.S. or Europe. But anyway, the paintings, buildings, museums, and plays that I have seen do give me a feeling of pride in what humanity has done, even though I am very concerned at the same time about the disrupted balance between man and the environment.

Enough digression. The students here just don't take the classes seriously. A four or five day 'weekend' is common. Although many people have travelled around England already, I have been content to stay at Cliveden, or maybe venture into London for an evening. I'm planning a ten day trip to Scotland during our 'mid-quarter break,' and will probably also fit in Wales and Ireland sometime before I return.

There is a volleyball club in a nearby town that playa in the top division in England, making it one of the top ten teams, and I'm practicing with it every Wednesday night (the only night they get together). They play in tournaments on the weekends and have asked me to participate. However, I'm not sure if I will compete every weekend because I do not want to travel a bit. Volleyball is on my mind - how it fits into my near future - and last weekend I went to London, staying at Marilyn's flat, in order to sort out my thoughts. I don't know whether I should finish school this year and play v-ball this season, or stop-out until next fall and then finish school and play v-ball next year. In many ways I know the most sensible thing to do is graduate this June, but should one always be sensible? I have written my coach and asked his opinion, and I'll keep you up-to-date. Volleyball is definitely a high priority for me until I do graduate from Stanford; an national championship and All-American honors would be nice and possibly helpful for job opportunities. And who knows, the Olympics are coming up in 1980. I really was inspired by the Olympic Park in Munich; you could just feel the spirit of the Games in the air.

I have been doing some reading on environmental design and ecological consciousness. This type of work would suit me well, and in fact, Andy and I have been discussing just the same kind of business for a possible partnership when I finish school. We would restore old structures of cultural and historical value, creating a useful and socially beneficial establishment. Again, the balance between man and his environment is my interest. I feel that the modern city.

has in effect destroyed this balance, placing man outside of his true nature, and created unnatural stress in his life (you can relate to the stress factor, I bet). In the area of architecture and environmental planning is a partial solution to society's dilemma, I feel. I am also very interested in wildlife protection and wilderness conservation; today I spent five hours roaming the London Zoo, equal to San Diego. These two very general areas, architecture and conservation, at least give me some direction for the future. At this point in my life I am somewhat reluctant to not have any potential careers on my mind.

It takes time to establish meaningful, or should I say emotional relationships, and here at Cliveden I have been rather frustrated by the general Stanford student pretentiousness. Alot of people really seem to try very hard to be acceptable, but I can't say that I don't know what that is like. I have made some good friends - one of my roommates who went to Pali High, but whom I didn't know very well, and a girl or two. I think the source is me truthfully; I miss the people I love at home, despite all the fun I'm having. Tears came to my eyes too when I read your letter. I do love you and want you as my friend. I'm tremendously proud to have you as my mother. I have had some visions of us together when I was very, very young since I left L.A.. I am also very proud of the rest of our family - we are all special.

Write me again when you feel like it. The letters I receive are a joy for me to read. Say hello to Tom, Mimi, and Bob and Eric if you see them.

(I may be home for Christmas)

I have always loved you,

Wendell

because we are love

P.S. I have a motorcycle here! Andy bought it last year and left it, and has given me exclusive riding privileges for the quarter in exchange for selling it before I leave. Don't worry, I'm very careful.