Correspondence, World War, 1939-1945., World War, 1939-1945--Women.
XVII Monday 9 Oct 11 pm Hi, darling - Just finished #XVI but I have to start a new one to tell you about the wine Henry has just poured us (in horrible Dixie cups). It is Madeira, vintage 1924, costs about 3.50 a bottle at the officers’ liquor ration office, and is excellent in a way that puts any domestic wine I've ever drunk to shame. I am converted (to the extent of our pocketbook) and in years to come we'll buy the best wine we can afford. There's just no way of describing it or comparing. Wednesday 11 Oct. 4:15 pm Kailua Well I did make it, after all - a trip to the famed officer's club across the island from Honolulu. It's a lovely retreat, with an excellent beach, several tennis courts, volleyball, horseshoe pitching, ping pong, a very handsome chess set of polished wood (one side mahogany, the other some light variety - the queens are between 4 and 5” high), shelves with fifty or so good current books, lots of comfortable armchairs, windows on all side, a wide verandah from which to watch those at play on the beach or in the water. Sleeping accommodations are for about 30 men, mostly in little cabins for two. Women are permitted during the day and for dinner - there were three or four at lunch time. The whole place is quiet and restful, though there is an excellent bar open from noon to 6:30 (against Navy custom on the island). No bars are open in the evening; [?] you occasionally see the anomalous [pg 2] spectacle of a trio or quartet of sailors staggering down the street in broad daylight, drunk on island liquor made from sugar cane.) Over the bar is a delicious mural: a coquettish, sexy nude lying on her tummy with her heels in the air and with the nipples of her breasts just showing, is contemplating the cap of a commander (himself out of the picture) where it lies on the ground just before her; Pan with his pipe to his mouth leans back against a nearby tree; in the background, a member of a very fat and chubby female nudes are chasing satyrs. -The well groomed girl at the desk (whose husband is an army officer) is complaining that Admiral G - (3 stars) has just called up to say that he's bringing a party of four to dinner - that's how strict they are about making reservations in advance here (“Gee, I hate admirals…”, she is saying, deciding further that she will not be nice to him just barely civil.) We arrived about 10:30 this morning by bus, coming thru the Pali (=pass), stopping for a moment at the spot where King Kamehameha threw King So-t-so over a cliff and founded a new dynasty, and wound down a very tortuous road precariously hugging the side of steep hills, past banana trees and papaya groves and the inevitable coconut palm which are everywhere, to the little town of Kailua and thence to there grounds. We dressed right away for an hour's swim, half of which I spent with a huge surfboard which I could stand on without submerging it. (More conversation overheard from the nearby desk: apparently there is to be another admiral and his party here tonight also, but one who made the customary reservations). After that some volleyball on the beach, shower and dress, a drink (Old-Fashioned for me) and an excellent lunch of chicken salad. Then I finished reading thru this week's Time and spent a pleasant half hour or more with “Monterey Peninsula,” visualizing places seen and you in them. Incidentally, do you remember the highway just beyond the old mission that we started to take and then decided it was too late for? Henry and others say it's the most beautiful drive of all those in the vicinity. But I did enjoy our meandering drive along the shore road. After that a nap, and here I am feeling refreshed and more or less like being sociable this evening. Because my daytime activities and my visits with Henry have largely kept me away from my present colleagues, I shall leave the evening free for whatever they choose to do. Henry and Steve Nickelsburg and I spent all day yesterday shopping in Honolulu. I wasn't awfully successful, darling - Isn't it funny how many things one of the two letters I got from you this morning (#18 and 19 - have all thru 19) anticipated in what I’d previously written you, or done, or thought? You used the same word - a “meager Christmas” as I had [if we both feel that, then it doesn't really matter]. Next, you [pg 4] mentioned reading Japan's Islands of Mystery: I spent half an hour reading that very book while waiting for Henry and Steve in a bookstore yesterday. Then you mentioned something for Henry to do which I’d just thought of two evenings ago. The place is full of chatter now, the radio phonograph is playing light classical cocktail music and the other men have begun to drink (incidentally, the cocktails and other drinks served here are the best, including good Scotch, and as cheap as I've ever bought them anywhere: my Old Fashioned was 35¢) - so I'm getting restless and think I'll join them. Another letter to you in the morning - much more to write. I love you dearly and your letters fill me with assurance and no little pride Warren P.S. I had to postpone the thought of buying anything now for anybody but you and Wendy-excepting a Dunhill service lighter for Doug which I'll probably just mail him in an airmail letter, that includes Muz, Mother and Father, Jean, Marcia (these two I have things picked out for and can get 3-5 mos. From now, perhaps - won't forget but that doesn't help Christmas) Mrs. May, both Bevs…perhaps I shouldn't have bought a watch ($33.40) but it's practically indispensable here and I can sell it at cost when the other arrives. What shall we do about Muz? I remember that we’d picked out something for Father, maybe Mother….Let me know W. PPS If I do get the phone call thru I'll have to make it collect. I know you’d rather have it that way than not at all