Letter from Joel M. Halpern to Nettie and Carl Halpern
Description:
Letter from Joel and Barbara Halpern to his parents Joel and Nettie Halpern during their time in Laos with the USOM. This letter begins with Joel answering some questions posed to him from his parents about the situation. Halpern describes a visit to a village of blacksmiths, where the people no longer cultivate rice. Rice growing and the needs of the village are discussed at length. His translator, Aram Udol, interviewed a goldsmith in another village. The information from the interview includes attitudes about goldsmithing vs. silversmithing. Various cultural norms about children and behavior are also included toward the end of the letter. They also describe some events in Luang Prabang where they were living including discussing the wedding of a clerk at the USOM.
All rights for this image are held by Joel M. Halpern. Requests to publish, redistribute, or replicate this material should be addressed to Special Collections and University Archives, University of Massachusetts Amherst Libraries.
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