May 10, 1933

Dear Mother and Dad,-

Believe it or not, I am in China. The boat docked at nine o'clock, and Stu and Crip were at the dock to meet us. We almost dove in and started to swim, it took so long. Well, I want you to know that I have been on the go ever since we landed.

As you know we got in at Honkkong(sic). We stayed all night at the Peninsula Hotel which would back the Biltmore off the map, and the next morning we toured around Hong Kong. The heat has not yet struck with full force, but it is plenty warm. Words cannot describe the city to you. It is simply teaming with people and vehicles of all kinds. The residential section is perfectly gorgeous, the harbor of Hong Kong is second to none in beauty.

We had tiffin with the Berringers (tiffin is lunch heh,heh) and we rode up to the peak in chairs with the Fishers, and at four we boarded the train for Canton. There is the choice of train or boat, but the boat takes all night , while the train only takes three hours.

When we arrive at Canton after an awful mess of getting through the customs etc., we hired a car to drive us out to Tungshan where we live. As we drove up to our modest bungalow, I darn near passed out. Our little home is about the size of the girls dormitory at Pomona. It really consists of two houses. In the main part are six enormous rooms -three downstairs and three and bath upstairs. The ceilings are approximately 15 feet tall and the walls are mostly windows. In the back are the servant's quarters and guest rooms. We have three servants, Ah Li who is topside man, an Amah, who is the laundress and wood cutter, and a coolie who does the dirty work.

Our bathroom is all tile, and we have hot and cold running water some times. When it doesn't run the coolie brings it up in a bucket. We have our own private well, but since it is as full of germs as the rest of China we use only chow water which is boiled.

Our house is of brick as are most of the houses, and all the windows and doors are barred with iron work and locked very carefully at night. Our garden is small and is surrounded by a high wall giving a patio effect. The foliage here is profuse and beautiful. The streets are fairly narrow and of dirt. The walks are heavily shaded with shrubs and trees and flowers and are perfectly lovely. Tungshan is a really a charming spot.

Believe you me, Stu and I have been really working to get things in running order. Getting meals arranged and the house organized and buying enough furniture to live with, in a strange country is no small task. Stu and I are practically windmills all the time.

Captain and Mrs. Malley live directly in back of us and they have been of wonderful service in getting started. We live right in the midst of all the air corps people. The club is about a ten minutes walk and the University is about a five minutes walk.

I have not yet been to the flying field, but the club is lovely. I will take pictures of all the places and send them to you.

Our boy Ah Li is a heck of a good cook. We have coffee in bed at five o'clock, breakfast at nine when Stu comes back from the field, tiffin at twelve fifteen and dinner at seven thirty. Stu works from five to nine and from one to five. He is an instructor. In the morning he flies and in the afternoon he has classes. He has the most advanced students on the field is of some help.

What furniture we have is wicker and very attractive. We have pretty grass mats on the floor and with a little more time we are going to have some place. We sleep under nets at night because the mosquito's are as big as turkeys and number can put the population of all China to shame. Stu had a huge bed made for us with a box spring, so we have lots of room in the heat. Our house has screens which is a luxury in China, but of no practical value except in keeping out elephants.

The Terrills are living with us until they get organized, and will share the bills while they are here which is a big help, because at first things are always expensive until you get on to the ropes.

I have been absolutely thrilled with everything so far and Stu and I are having one wonderful time. I never thought we would live like this so soon.

This is surely a funny country. The word or meaning of hurry ia absolutely unknown here. If you want to buy a handkerchief you allow two hours and five minutes. Two hours to get them to show you what you want and five minutes to select. On the other hand you can stand and look at things for two hours, have them bring out everything in the store, not buy anything and be shown out as politely as you were ushered in. The only thing time means here is food.

Perhaps when you finish this letter you will show it to Marie, and then send it it to Stu's folks. Later on I will have more time than I know what to do with, but right now we are really busy.

Lots of Love,

Jeannette.