The Glenwood post., 1922-12-07
mode of living, small houses, matched
roofs, not many clothes, ant many Of

roofs, not many clothes, ant many Of
the babies wore none.
We then turned back to Havana
which was twenty five miles away.
Roads are paved, and we were soon
back at Havana for luncheon. After
luncheon we crossed the bay in a motor
boat and visited the old Spanish
Cabanas fortress, which is wonderfully
built of stone walls in all shapes and
angles. We went through big long
dungeon where thousands of soldiers
perished, the skulls being found later
for proof. A part of this old fortress
is kept in repair and here is the "West
Point military school of Cuba. This
part is known as Moro Castle. We
found these boys very interesting and
polite. Very few could speak English,
but they learn to speak the English
language while in this military school.
On Tuesday night dinner and dance
was given on the Roof Garden Plaza
Hotel in our honor. The orchestra
played American tunes and those who
couldn't dance, sang Such songs as
we learned at the convention What il
we didn t sing the same tune at the
same time; volume was what we want
ed and volume was what we got.
Wednesday we visited their queer
style of stores and bought some curios
and did kodaking everywhere we went.
In the evening our party left Havana,
most of them returning to the u s. A.,
ten of whom sailed on Steamship Aban-
garez to Cristobal Panama Our party
consisted of four men and six women.
The following states were represented:
Washington, Idaho, Colorado, Oklaho-
ma, Ohio ~, Washington, D. c., and
Panama. Several officers of the ship
were American Legion men.
Leaving Havana on the evening of
the 25th, we sailed for Cristobal. We
had an ideal trip; the Caribbean was
unusually smooth all the way. The
sunsets at sea were great, and what
could be more beautiful than moon
light night at sea?
The three days at sea were very pleas
ant, the officers did everything for our
pleasure, deck games were played, spe-
eial dinners were given, dances and
masquerade parties, and music during
luncheon AID dinner and evenings.
We landed at Cristobal Sunday, Oc-
tober %. The Legionaires met Us in
private cars, took us 30 the Legion
home and other places Of interest and
then out to Gatun locks, S~t,s paaeA to
our disappointment, we were. Toe lste.
to see the locks work. Two vessels had
just gone through. The canal Is T
miles long, the Gatun locks 1.-TWO in
number) raise the ships IS feet above
the Atlantic sea level. At the looks
we took sumarine chaser, "Gold
Star, through the canal "a miles to
Pedro Miguel locks. This submarine
Zone to use, and gave the Panama Post
No. the privilege of naming it. They
named it "Gold tSar" in memory of
those who gave their lives during the
world war, and a bronze plate may be
seen on the lower deck, in their hcuor.
The Panama canal, and five mles ON
either side, is the property of the o.
). A, as you already know. So the
American soldier is very prominent in
the canal zone and all the people in
TINS canal zone are men and their fam
lies who are working for the govern
ment. They seemed glad to welcome
us, and we were always meeting some
one from our own state. This part Of
the canal on which we rode IL like =
Big lake or we who live in irrigated
districts would term it a reservoir.
There is big dam and spillway near
the Gatun locks. Toward the west near
Pedro Miguel lock the canal is very
narrow, only wide enough for two
ships to pass. This is known as Gail
lard Out and must be dredged out
often. This portion Of the canal water,
between the locks, is fresh water and
is fed by mountain streams.
A. Pedro Miguel locks We were met
by Panama Post No. and were taken
by auto through Balboa, Anson, to
Panama City to Corco hotel, where we
were served typical Panamian din
nor.
After the dinner we were taken over
the city and shown places of interest,
beautiful government buildings and
lowers. Out into the country When
homes with such beautiful trees ans
the real Panaminos live in their queer
! little huts and on to the ruiua of old