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AROUND THE WORLD IN '39
WE ARE GOING!
Anne's Travel Journal:
January 30, 1939
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Glendale, CA - raining
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A trip around the world has always been our great dream. One casually mentions gong to Honolulu, the Orient, or even Europe, but to say “we are going round the world” sounds so very glamorous – the super ultra of all travel experience. We had talked of this trip for a very long time as something we would do sometime, when everything was auspicious, but in 1939 when Europe is seething with rumors of war – in fact a world war - out of a clear sky, Paul announces “This is as good time as any to start on our trip around the world. We’ll consult our travel agent, D.F. Robertson, and see what he has to offer!” I am appalled by his daring and of course very thrilled but a bit skeptical of the advisability of doing it at this time. However, we set to work at once, with many intermittent qualms, but in less than a month it was all arranged – itinerary, passports, reservations, clothing, and all those little necessary incidentals – including a great many details for leaving our family, home & business!!
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In this first entry, Anne questions the wisdom of setting out on a voyage around the world with the possibility of war looming on the horizon. A mere glance at some of the front page headlines of the Los Angeles Times for the last few weeks in January, 1939 is enough to show the turmoil and uncertainty of the time.
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Would you go around the world after reading these headlines?!
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Although it must have been a frightening time, it was not deemed unsafe for world travel. The ships the Stillmans sailed on were full of passengers and international tours were being conducted as routine matters. The Stillmans had complete faith in their travel agent and the American Express Company, which conducted many of the tours, to keep them safe. Also, Paul realized that with war imminent, this might be their last chance to make the trip - after all, he was 71 and Anne was 54. Neither Paul nor Anne were the type of people to stay at home and worry. They were adventurous and determined to make their dream of voyaging around the world come true! So, despite the threat of world war, Anne and Paul did set off on January 30, 1939!!
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Anne's journal continues on the next page as the Stillmans travel across the country by railway...