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young boys of about 8 or 10 (one named Hans) who volunteered to guide us to the
bakery (we needed a loaf of bread since it was too late to get back in time
for lunch.). As we left them we met the mayor of Beutelsbach and chatted
with him for about 15-20 minutes about the weather, mutual friends
from previous groups, the coming tour of Beutelsbach, etc. His wife and young
(4 or 5) son happened by and joined in the conversation. As we took leave
of them we met two more boys (Alford and Bermhard) who accompanies us
to the edge of town and mentioned getting electric trains and "Monopoly"
for Christmas. All the people are well-fed and rosy-cheeked and the
Beutelsbachers at least are very friendly. It took us 1/2 hour to
climb the footpath back up to the burg, and we were thoroughly breathless
and tired when we reached here. After a quick shower to remove the chill,
we had a 3 hour meeting of general information and red tape for the
many governments which have jurisdiction over us.

At 9 last night we had our New Years party on the Burg - hot wine,
sweet rolls, balloons, German songs, dancing, talk, etc. Gee but I wish you
could have been here to share it with me, though you were here in spirit.
At least all the rest of our New Years will be together. Just before midnight
Herr Dr. Boerner told us the German customs in celebrating Christmas and
New Years and we lighted the christmas tree candles and sand "Auld Lang
Syne." Then we went outside for a fireworks show (going on simultaneously
in all the towns below, as well as here on the Burg). Then a large bunch
of us walked or rode down to Beutelsbach to catch the end of their celebration.
We went to the Rosen (a local Gaststelle - beer parlor) where there was much
singing and noise, and free Glühwein, and many of the Stanford kids
already well in the spirit. Ellen Friedman and I ended up at one
table full of fellows about our age (not students but apprentices in
various professions - e.g. architecture) who were for the most part pretty
high. We talked for about 2 hours mostly with one of the more
sober fellows at the table. It was lots of fun and really made the
celebration complete to share it with the German kids. And they have
really good Glühwein (hot red wine) and Sauterne here in the
Remstal valley. I had a glass or so of each and really enjoyed them. Never