146 - MERMOZ, Jean

MERMOZ, Jean L.A.S. “Jean,” Buenos Aires, December 23, 1927, to his “Dearest Mom”; 2 pages, in-4 format, on Aeroposta Argentina letterhead. Head of the Buenos Aires airfield. “Time is starting to drag without news from you”; it takes forty days to get a reply. “I believe we’ll officially inaugurate the international route on January 10. So you’ll receive letters more often, since I’ll write to you regularly with every mail departure, that is, every eight days. When I think that the day after tomorrow will be Christmas! It’s already hot here. Besides, summer begins in a few days. […] My thoughts will be with you. It’s been a long time since I spent Christmas with my family! […] I’m settling in well here. It now feels as though I’ve never lived anywhere else. I’ve had a lot of work these past few days dealing with administrative matters, especially for someone like me who’s not good with paperwork. On top of that, I have an Argentine bookkeeper and two secretaries. I’ve got plenty to help me get back into the swing of speaking Spanish. Once all that’s finished, I’ll have peace of mind on that front. On top of that, I’m overseeing the development of the airfield, which is 50 km from the city, and the construction of the hangars. I’ve got my work cut out for me. On top of that, I made a special flight to Rio de Janeiro five days ago. Buenos Aires to Rio in a single day: 2,300 km. I returned two days later, breaking all speed records, which has earned me excellent press coverage here.” He’s staying with private hosts and living like a prince, while putting money aside. “I’m a member of an athletics and rowing club. I miss the beach. No swimming here. We’re at the very mouth of the Río de la Plata. The water is black—not at all inviting. I’m going to Montevideo in the next few days, where I’m supposed to meet up with Larre Borgès and the other Uruguayans. I’m told a rather nice reception awaits me there. In January, I’m heading to Paraguay alone with an aircraft and a mechanic to explore the country and find landing strips that will serve us for a future route. […] Then it will be on to Chile and Patagonia. Some wonderful trips ahead! However, I’m a bit bored right now because I’m not flying as much as I used to”… Correspondence, No. 131. Source: - Jean Mermoz (1901–1936); - Gabrielle Gillet-Mermoz (1880–1955); - Then passed down through the family