Who's Who and What's What

I'll try to keep a running list people, acronyms, and Farsi words that Vonda Adorno references in her letters.


Key People

Name Relationship
Bill Adorno Future Husband. Referenced in early letters as "a fellow". Vonda's brother is referred to as "Billy" to differentiate between the two. Similarly, Vonda's father is also a William -- but he is just referred to as "Dad" in the letters.
William Sponseller and Charlotte Sponseller Vonda's parents. Most letters from Afghanistan addressed to “Mom and Dad”.
Billy Billy is Vonda’s brother. He is referenced in letters as going into the airline business…from which Vonda had just spent 6 years working for.
Don Friend in USA
James Friend in USA
Nancy Friend in Afghanistan?
Samad Servant – paid $10/month plus an additional $2/month for tea, sugar and naan.
Ghulam Servant – One of his duties was caring for a menagerie of animals.
Bobo Servant – Looked after Bill’s apartment (maybe in Kandahar?)
Samad Servant – paid $10/month plus an additional $2/month for tea, sugar and naan.
Tetah or Tetaw Name of pet parrot. Also, probably Farsi name for "Parrot".
Bruna Pet dog.
Double Trouble (DT) Pet cat…received when pregnant....but Vonda able to pawn off to someone else.
Tweetie Pet name for first born, Justin Adorno.
Justin Adorno Son. Born May 13, 1960 in Karachi, Pakistan.

Arcronyms and Definitions

Acronym Definition
ICA International Cooperation Administration Predecessor to USAID.
KT's Kabul Trots - Diarrhia

Translations

Farsi Words as used in Vonda's letters Meaning
Juiy Sewage ditch that parallels roads and trails.
Nom Locally made Naan bread.
Barf Farsi word for snow. Jokes abound.
Charderi Afghan version of the burka – worn by Afghan women to cover themselves when in public.
Ramazon Alternative spelling of Ramadan – the Muslim holy month.

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