Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1918-10-10


good accommodate ns-steerage Of course
but not bad at that, only the food
Had a steady diet Of rice, stew, spa
ghetti and fish and, as don't eat (
fish or like stew, l used up quite bit
of my reserve supply Of flesh that
was luckily accumulated during the
winter months. In all the trip we did |
not see a thing but few big fish.
\ would never advise an ocean trip for
sight seeing, the scenery is too mono
ttonous. Think I'll make just one
more trip, in the opposite direction.
Was lucky and didn't get a bit sick.
Lots of the fellows fed the fishes cop
(, iously.. 81!
We certainly got a warm reception
here. American soldiers are a great
4 curiosity in Italy. When we landed
and marched thru the town, a big
crowd was out and showered US with
flowers but, in that first performance
we kind Of lost out, cause we were
back quite always in the column and
Z; the natives, in their enthusiasm, threw
all their flowers at the first few sec
lions but we paraded today and led
\ the procession, so we got the full bene-
fit Of all their ammunition. It GER
tainly was great.
This is quite town, about 100000.
Il We have camp a little distance out
and get one day a week off. Have
been to the city couple of times.
+ Lots of pretty buildings in the better
part but most of the streets are very
narrow and crowded. / saw the place
where Columbus was born.
! Food lis quite scarce here. One can
hardly buy a good meal. ] guess no
one believes in eating like the Ameri-
cans do. Believe me that statement,
4 "Thank God am an American" Ger
e tainly hits the nail on the head. We
' live we'll in camp, plenty to eat and
r a good variety but we notice the
J. great scarcity Of sugar get none at
t all.
). We had great time at first with
Italian money. Their standard is a
= Lire which is worth 20 cents at par
but now we get s.66 lire for one dol
lar, SO our salary is ample, since the
!. Italian soldier only gets 3 cents day.
The lire is divided into hundredths,
which are copper pieces so if you
! get much change, you need a basket
to carry it in. We usually give it to
the little kids on the street. Every
body is after our, money. Went into
g restaurant the other day six of US
and ordered everything on the bill Of
! fare and the waiter looked at us in
z establishment and the bill was only
100 lire. But we got everything they
had. They have wonderful wine in
this country. It's no like in the U. S
for men in uniform, here we can buy
anything to drink that we want.
It gets pretty warm here in the
afternoon but cool at night. Lots Of
pretty villas around our camp.
Am sorry can't tell you more Of
interest about what I've seen ane
everything but it wouldn't get by
Certainly have seen a lot and have hae
some great experiences. Have seer
both Africa and Europe. Things go 81
fast one can't keep track Of them.
4. Don't know how soon we will gel
to the front. We are anxious to get
there and probably will be as keen tt
get back. Lots of evidence of war here
though.
This is the Fourth of July, tn.
second one I have spent in the army
N and they don't amount to much there
Paraded this morning and did The
family washing this afternoon. CAM
leave camp tonight. Awful way t,
spend the Fourth, Ell! Guess our goot
times are over for awhile. just wal
till we get home tho.
Il. Have written this on a cigar DO,
lid SO It'll may not be legible. And say.
y when you take your vacation this sum
II mer, you ought to come to Italy, it.
y, great place.
Best regards to both of you
Herman
!. i .---- 49, o.