Dear Tom,

I was very happy to get your letter, thank you very much.

I am sorry to hear about the trouble you are having with your gums. But I’m sure that in a few weeks you will be back to normal again.

Seeing as I am about to leave for Mexico, I have had medical check-ups and a dental check-up. And the results are A.O’K. In fact my dentist says he hasn’t seen such a good set of teeth in years like mine. Because I never have to have fillings but I have them cleaned and polished.

So I am all ready to leave for Mexico. I have sold my furniture, including stereo hi-fi, T.V. & tape recorder. And am set for a new life in Mexico. I will be leaving with Hansi on next Sunday morning 3rd of April. We are driving down by way of Detroit, Chicago, Springfield, St. Louis, Tulsa, Dallas, San Antonio, Laredo then across the Rio Grande into Mexico then down to Monterey, Saltillo, Durango then we hit the Pacific at Mazatlan then south to Tepic, Puerto Vallarta, Guadalajara, Mexico City, then Acapulco where we shall relax and get some sun for a while.

It will be an interesting drive down and we will be driving through the States of Michigan, Illinois, Missouri, Oklahoma and Texas. A distance of about 3,000 miles to Acapulco. I am very excited about this trip for we only live once and if I don’t do something like this now I never will. Life is short and full of beautiful things and places and I don’t mean to sit back and rot while my life passes me by.

When I am in Mexico I will start a schedule for myself and every day paint & sketch all over Mexico in towns, villages in the mountains and jungles. Who knows I may even sell a few sketches to the tourists!

I have been learning Spanish here in Toronto, so after a year in Mexico I will be able to speak it fluently. Then I will be able to speak three languages English, Spanish & German. And a little French & Italian. I kid you not I have an ear for languages. And how can one enjoy a country fully if one doesn’t  have some idea of the language. And besides the natives always get a charge out of it if one attempts to speak their native tongue.

So Tom & Joan take care of yourselves and remember me to everyone and give them my regards.

Best wishes,
David.

Life is short and full of beautiful things and places and I don’t mean to sit back and rot while my life passes me by.