Milford chronicle., 1926-05-07
Shanghai, China
April 6, 1926.

Dear Sir:-lt has been my mten-
ZION for some time to write you re-
.arding our trip to the Orient, as
thought it would probably be Of in
terest to you and your Milford
friends.
We left Philadelphia, June 8, 1928,
on the Pacific Limited enrOute to
San Francisco, by the way of Har-
rjsburg, Chicago and Salt Lake City,
arriving there June 7th. l will not
try to describe the trip across the
continent, as several Milford people
have made it both by rail and auto.
While in San Francisco we stayed at
the st. Francis Hotel, which was at
that time the headquarters for the
Shriners, who were holding their an
nuaI convention in the city.
June 18th we sailed on the Pres
ident Pierce" of the Dollar Line en-
route to Manila, arriving in Homo
lulu June 10Th, we stayed at this port
for twelve hours, during which we
took an automobile trip around the
Island of Oahu, viewing the native
villages, paying particular attention
to the sugar cane and pineapple
plantations the products of which
are the principal exports of Hawaii.
Upon our return to the city we spent
the remaining few hours in visiting
places of interest and various shops,
among the noticeable things were
the many large floral shops and flow
or peddlers, all anxious to sell lels,
which are large circles of flowers
which are presented to friends de-
parting or arriving on the various
steamers. Taken as a whole / be-
lieye Honolulu to be the prettiest
place l have ever visited.
The ship sailed the same evening
for Yokohama, Japan. This was the
longest lap at sea. During the nine
DAYS various and novel forms of en-
tertainment and amusement were
provided by the ships officers, IN
which all the passengers were lnVlt-
I'd to participate, among which were
jigg's dinner, masqua ball, Chinese
dinner and various plays. During the
day deck sports, for which prizes
we're offered, were indulged in; the
ship's orchestra furnished music for
dancing during lunch and dinner
daily. 1t was on this run that we
crossed the 1S0th meridian thereby
gaining one day, going to bed Mon
DAY night, we woke up Wednesday
morning.
We arrived in Yokohama Monday,
June 29th. After dinner we left the
ship for a walk through the city, an
other lady on board going with us.
II is almost impossible to picture
the harm wrought by the great Yo-
kohama earthquake and fire, the Jap
anese are rebuilding the city, but
few high buildings are being erected.
It was here that we first enjoyed the
thrill of a ricsha ride. The natives,
dressed in their kimOnas of many
coIors, are very picturesque; many
'tea houses, all of which are sur
rounded by beautiful Japanese
shrubs are to be found on every
street. The women with their paint
ed faces and peculiar style of hair
dressing, remind one of large orl-
entail doll.
Tuesday morning we went Tor an
other ricsha ride; seen IN the day
time. Yokohama proved to be much
more interesting than we thought II
the night before. Each shop had a
huge banner hanging IN front with
fapanese figures or writing painted
on them telling what was for sale IN
the stores. Many beautiful silks, k-
monas Of all cOlOTs, parasols, ana
other articles, each typical Of Japan,
we're displayed in the shops VIM
iOws. A noticeable characteristic OF
the Japanese was their peculiar
method of carrying the babies, this
was done by either the mother or
an older girl having the child wrap
ned in a cloth or blanket and secur-
ed on the back by square piece OIL
cloth with a long strip at each cor
ner. two of which were tied arOunu
the waist and two over the shoulders
Of the carrier. One OF the slgnLs
which is always called to the atten-
tion of visitors, is Mount Fujiyama,
which is over twelve thousand feet IN
heighth and plainly visible from Xo-
bohaNa: this mountain is snow
canned the year around. The Japan
ese belief that when the snow dlS-
appears from the summit it IS sign
of a cholera epidemic in Japan.
Leaving Yokohama Tuesday after
noon we arrived in Kobe Wednesday
afternoon. This is one OF the clean
est parts in the East. 1t is very cos
mopolitan and resembles a western
city very much. This is the seaport
tor Osaka. the ancient capital OF ia
pan. The ship tied up at a large docK
resembling a dock in the United
States; all of the government build
ings were built of stone, the homes'
stores and theatres are ike tnOse
YOU would see in any other large
city. The Japanese have not adopted
the Western style OF dress DuI Cne
younger generation is trying 10 es-
tablish this.
We left Kobe Thursday morning
for Shanghai. This was one OF tne
most beautiful trips have ever TAX
en-. After leaving Kolee we entered
the Inland Sea of Japan. 1t Is al
most impossible to describe the
beauties of nature which are display
ed here. the water is as clear as cry
stal without ripple on its surface
to mar the reflection of the many
cliffs and mountains which nearly
enclose the sea. Many rice pattles
are in the numerous valleys-tne
Japanese growers live here year IN
and year out, so peaceful and quiet
It seems here that you feel as
though you would like to take BOAT
ashore and stay. A few of the veal
thy Japanese have their summer
bopas b,i1t nm the cliffs and down in