BOYD BROTHERS | ||
CABLE ADDRESSES:
"BOYDBROS" CRISTOBAL"BOYDBROS" PANAMA "BOYDBROS" BALBOA |
INCORPORATED
STEAMSHIP AGENTSCRISTOBAL - PANAMA - BALBOA |
MAIL ADDRESSES:
P.0. BOX 5077. CRISTOBAL. C.Z.P.0. BOX 605, PANAMA. R.P. P.0. BOX 2013, BALBOA, C.Z. |
Novembre 15, 1942
Dear Sis:-
Two weeks now I have been in Panama and at least, I feel not much a native, as my Spanish is not too good. It seems very difficult for the native to understand me- and just as difficult for me to understand him- so you can imagine how I get along.
One needs the language as daily this arises or that- In which one is lost in the maze of jabbering- I still looking for the salesman that sold me the book "Easy way to learn Spanish"...... there is no such way.
Since writing you, I have located — a room -private home. One pays terrific price, for accomodations none too good. Living conditions are so crowded, with the extra brought about by war conditions, so that a high price is asked and gotten. Supply and demand working. Food very high priced-certain articles rationed as you are- butter, meats, flour, milk and so.
I have been eating here and there in hopes of discovering the best. The food is pretty much American in the Zone, and of course the natives- have their own which I so far am not too fond of. Meats are fair only, tho they do have chicken, which when American prepared is good, vegatables such as peas,beans, beets, and I have been surprised-potatoes-with a good flavor.
Fresh fruits, bananas,a sort of melon,grapefruit, lemons all are available. Fair quality.
The weather, at time is very delightful-tho other times quite depressing- humid-rains with not quite the regularity of the first week I was here. Night are always cool for sleeping.
The problem of getting about is very difficult- travel being restricted to small area, and so far I have not been able to get a car, as they have gas rationing too. I spend hours waiting for a bus here or there-as my work does take me over area too far to walk.
But I am like all Americans when leaving the US. one compares the mode of living with U S standards which don't exist except In the U.S. so one will appreciate more what and how much we have at home, after seeing a foreign country.
This is indeed a strange place, the people, the plant life, and all make it surely different than any spot I have seen, or that I could imagine it would be before coming.
I live about two blocks from the Pacific -tho it is sort of a bay- the water is comparitivly calm- no storms just the rise and fall of the tide.
We have black outs still, and everyone goes home at an early-hour. We have two newspapers which give rather good coverage on world news. American and Spanish editions. Tho no news of the states- just an infrequent item.
Shipping space is so valuable that no news papers are brot in- by the way does my Readers Digest come there- if so just keep it as it can't be forwarded down here. In fact, no Xmas cards or packages can be sent in from the states, nor out of here- so' I'll have to say "merry Xmas" via letter.
When did this letter arrive? I'm sending it air mail, as you may have have some word for me. If any mail comes there for me- it should not be reforwarded- but place in envelope via air nail. I'll re-emburse for all the extra postage.
What's the news from there? I suspect you have had a touch of winter- hard for me to believe-as it is so warm- I can't even keep the season in mind- seems it should be summer every place. Any word as to Phil's address? Have you had other letters from me?
I hope this finds every one all well. Were you able to make the trip west- the letter from Eleanor which you forwarded to me at Houston, caught up with me at Brownsville- the day after I left-- strange as this may sound...... we left Brownsville and were forced back---- for leaving the next day- and I found Eleanor's letter there.
She said Ed was till waiting- tho perhaps you have seen them or had late word. Things are moving - now- a days- perhaps the news may mean the break for the allies at last, we sincerely hope and pray such maybe.....
When you write- write on one side of paper only....... so that I can read your letter tho some maybe omitted....
I had hoped for some word, since I have no mail since arriving here.... it is slow getting thru, I guess.
I am still looking for some one that I may know- but thus far have not meet a single person- seems like one should see someone, but all one sees are strangers. There of course a great many Americans here- the zone being operated and manned largely by Americans.
( this typewriter has some spanish characters on key board hence my spelling maybe not so good)
I think that I shall like my work very much as I get settled more. No one works overly hard- and that will suit me as you know I hate work in its more rigorous form. But one does have to slow a bit- otherwise tomorrow- mañana- one would have no thing to do.
You would enjoy some of the wild flowers grown here a riot of color and form- I spoke of the wild orchid- which are to found in the back country- as beautiful as the American variety- perhaps more delicate- other of strange appearance and name to me so far- I will learn these as it will be a past time-
We have no twilight - the sun going down and darkness at once.... like wise-no dawn-- the nights generally are clear with stars visible as in the higher altitudes in Colo mountains.
Well, pass my good wishes a long to all there. Regards to Chas.
Love,
Sutt
P.O. Box 5032
Ancon, Canal Zone
Did those neckties ever show up from cleaner in Omaha? If so - Just keep there for Neil when he's down -
