The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1918-05-09

When one moves to new city or
country the question is invariably ask
ed. " How do 70 ulike it there: or What
is your impression of the place."
Sailing from New Orleans July 9TH,
we arrived in Colon. Panama. August
:Sd-SiX days and nights on the water.
After seeing only glimpse of land for
six days and nights it is hard to an
alyze ones feelings when the land Is
sighted which is to he ones destina
ton. Gazing across the water to where
the mountains of Panama rose above
the horizon. some one asked the cap
tain the name of Il particularly high
peak. Oh said he. that is Ararat."
From the few vessels seen on the jour
ney we have seemed almost as isolated
as Noah when he approached the
Mount Ararat. but the mountains look
ed good, and l promised myself the
treat of becoming better acquainted
with them. Then, as we approached
the harbOr. some one asked Well,
does it look as you expected it to
lOok!" And l was really unable to
answer
My impressions. however. as l went
from the wharf to the depot and at
tended to my baggage amid the crowds
and excitement might he expressed in
one word. confused Here l was i'm il
foreign land-strange people. strange
houses. strange streets. strange vehi-
cleS. strange customs. and. worst of all,
which | was not familiar. When
went to pay Il bill of 80 cents out of IL
dollar and was handed what looked to
NE to he $40 in change l was cer-
tainly confused. Add to this all kinds
of tips. One man, for an example.
wanted a tip because he said he helped
the baggage man load my baggage on
Il truck.
So here is report of the Panama
Canal Zone and Republic of Panama,
as find it.
"A EUsy COMMUNITY.
People are certainly busy here. but
socially. Just as the canal is the
center of business activity. SO the as
sociation is the center of social ac-
tivity. The Y. NJ. {. 4. is like cOun-
try store in little town in the rural
districts 1t is the center where every
one meets every one else. and where
all the shows, lsastimes and social in
tercourseS take pl;fee. 'Ts's7s'
~,
story frame house. and by far the
largest in Gatun. On the main fiOOl
there is the reading room. office. bill
lard room. bowling alleys, restaurant
and soda fountains. Upstairs there is
Il large hall. used every night for mo
ton pictures and often utilized fol
! basket ball games.
There are teams of all kinds that
are forever competing with one an
other. bowling and billiard tourna
ments. and the tennis court owned b,
the clubhouse is i'll constant use. The
great lake is near ut hand. and swim
ming is Il favOrite sport and exercise
of soldiers and civilians alike. The at
| tendance at the motion pictures aver
ages about 400 every night, and double
| that number when there are tw,
shows. or special attraction.
UNCLE SANS BOYS IN KHAKI.
Soldiers invariably give color ant
excitement to a post. especially durin.
times of war; The 5'd Infantry, fin,
example of the regular infantry regi
nDent, is stationed here ut present. do
ing guard over the valuable govern
nlent works. 1t takes company
day to do the guard. and it is an i'll
spring sight to see the formal guard
mount each morning Oh the parad
ground near the locks. Whenever
company comes off guard they imme
diately take their places Oh the parad
ground with the rest of the companies
to drill and drill. to fit themselves fo
the time when they shall be called t
their place in the battle lines i
France.
MIMIC WARFARE ON GREEN LAWNS.
1t is intensely interesting to Sc
them going through mimic warfare o
the green lawn Of the parade groun(
When Advance by rushers' is give
the men rush by platOons to Il give
loint. and then. in full career. flo
down on their faces. 1t is quite sigh
to see platoon of twentyfour huSk
soldiers dash across the parade grOun(