Travel Letters: Japan, 1934

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m36_i_a_2b_i_94_03_31

m36_i_a_2b_i_94_03_31

other across the way was full of Fillipinos. We also saw one of the gambling tables and a little stand of Chinese candy etc. which are leased as concessions on the boat by Chinamen. Some times it is crowded in the lower passage ways with the gambling going on. We also went to see third class. Rather crowded quarters but a nice dining saloon and two lounges, all very clean. In the afternoon we went down into the Engine Rooms. I had no idea they could be so tremendous. It was like a huge power house. everything shiny and bright and good ventilation. The engines are Diesal and we average 21 knots going across so our days 'news?' are usually over 500 miles a day. I don't understand engines very much but it was fun to see -

We lost Monday, going to bed Sunday and getting up on Tuesday - Its hard to figure out where you gain over half an hour a night and then loose a whole day!

As I was finishing the last page of this, 30, Pete came in to drag me out to look at the waves from the bridge on the stern. It actually over hangs the water on either side but was a grand place to watch

Last edit about 2 years ago by Barbara
m36_i_a_2b_i_94_03_32

m36_i_a_2b_i_94_03_32

from, There was another man up there, a young chap from Winnipeg named Whyte, a dentist, and he had a stiff leg from the war. He had just been pulling out a tooth for the drummer in the band, and said it was awful. he had to hang on with one hand while pulling it out with the other. for it was pretty rough. Pete was taking pictures and also got a shot of a man rushing to the rail and loosing his breakfast. It really was a mean trick but did look funny.

Im reading grandpas' book it reminded me of lots of things. I don't think I ever told you about in Honolulu. One was how many little temples and shrines there are all around Honolulu and on Kauai. sort of hidden away in the Japanese district. Made of wood much the same Architecture as those in Japan. After the Emperor's son was born there were rows of white lanterns hung around the porches & down the

Last edit about 2 years ago by Barbara
m36_i_a_2b_i_94_03_32

m36_i_a_2b_i_94_03_32

path. and they looked so pretty lighted. We imagined it had something to do with the birth. Also they hung something out side each door in their own houses. a sheaf or knot.

Another thing, all the waitresses in the restaurants in Honolulu who wear the Japanese 'costume?', tie their sleeves back with a cord. They were the Obi and all but the cord crosses their chest and in some way keeps the long kimono sleeves out of the way.

Grandpa speaks of the little children playing with insects they had tied string around after catching them alive. In Hanalei when Pete was having his hair cut by the Japanese lady barber the children were playing with wasps they had caught and harnessed and then tied the end of the string to something and watched them fly & buss around.

Also in Hanalei at the [Ta.b.r.s] they used the iron with hot charcoal in side for heat. I imagine that was Japanese too.

It is going to be so interesting going

Last edit about 2 years ago by Barbara
m36_i_a_2b_i_94_03_34

m36_i_a_2b_i_94_03_34

to the Peabody Museum in Salem when we get back. for even now there are lots of things I can remember & will want to examine more carefully. Will you go too?

I'm afraid I shan't be able to read this letter over so I do hope you can make it out.

And now to answer some of your letters. How nice you could call on Zella, I'm glad she is so happy and all. What was it her father died of if you haven't already written.

What fun it must have been seeing Russ & Kitty again and hearing all about this trip. I saw in an old magazine that Dick Knight was married in New York. We are still mystified about the Flamingoes. They are a salmon pink bird with black on the wing. They breed in great flocks in Inagua in the Bahamas' and you are supposed to see them there very well. but we are sure we read a long article in a National Geographic about great flocks of them in Florida, and also they are used as motives for Florida advertising.

Last edit about 2 years ago by Barbara
m36_i_a_2b_i_94_03_35

m36_i_a_2b_i_94_03_35

May be Russell did see one after all ! We saw several at the race track in Havana.

Do tell me what the "Millen murders" are. or were. We haven't heard anything about them, or maybe didn't notice in the Transcript. By the way are they stopped coming ? We'd like all the Art news you see in the papers if you can cut it out. Also anything about skiing. You know Katherine Hughes who writes the Herald Art news which I think very good and fair, is married & lives in Concord. She was a great friend of ours in school.

How nice Rick Cabot has a {word struck out} son and Olive a daughter and all is well with all concerned ! We'll see Olive on the way home I hope. I do hope you enjoy the opera and how nice to be near the 'S awyers?' it's rather nice to always associate them with such lovely music.

The Tuesday Club sounded very nice and I wonder what they all thought of the ski pictures. You certainly planned it well. I guess it wasn't as hectic as the ski supper.

I guess I never told you about Mrs 'Rungens?' and her Bathing suit. The first day she went out on the beach to see what

Last edit about 2 years ago by Barbara
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