December 28, 1943

Tuesday evening,

Dear Folks:

I am back in camp again after spending a week-end in los Angeles and Hollywood. I left here on Friday afternoon at 4:30 and came back here last night. We went in on a chartered bus which cost us $15.75 for round trip-it was very much better than going in by truck and well worth the money.

Los Angeles was petty crowded over the holiday weekend but I am still glad I went in. I got to church in Hollywood on Saturday and also on Sunday, it was the same church I went to last summer. I went to 11:00 on Saturday and high mass on Sunday. Friday night I got into town about midnight and of course we didn’t get a room. You couldn’t get a room at any price We solved the problem by just staying up all night and roaming around the town. You see we slept in the bus on the way in and weren’t very tired. I took in a few movies Saturday and passed the time pretty well. Saturday night we went to the Palladium but it was awful crowded. Sunday we went to the Y for a hot shower and it sure felt good. I hit the movies again and had a good time just walking around. Los Angeles and Hollywood are like New York at night, plenty of light and you can have fun just walking around the streets. After being out in the dark decent so long you can’t imagine how nice it is to see lighted streets, store windows and sidewalks again. I didn’t go to the Hollywood canteen this time as the place was too crowded for enjoyment. Oh yes, I almost forgot to tell you that I stayed Saturday and Sunday night at the “Y”. They had nice, clean beds for $0.75 and it was better in my estimation then one of those small hotels. The “Y” is always pretty clean.

Monday was a short day as we had to leave at four in the afternoon. I took in another movie and then strolled around again. Eventually I tried to call you up as I said I would but it was simply impossible. I hope you weren’t waiting all that time to hear from me. Calls were delayed 15 to 18 hours to the East Coast so you can see why I didn’t make connections. Suppose I try to call you this Sunday? Will you be at home about noon? I’ll try to see you at 8 or 9 o’clock Sunday morning.

Oh yes, I had Pat Riche around with me in town and took her to the Palladium and Brown Derby. He likes the town too.

Joe

P.S. Your box arrived tonight. Gee it was swell. I like the swell package wrappings-you must have gone to a lot of trouble. I have the Christmas Tree on our desk.