February 13, 1944

                                                            Feb. 13
Dear Folks:
            Still in the same place. Weather is holding us up. I ran into a bombadier that was in Bks. 1700 in S.A. He got his commission in June and is now in a B-17.
            Several crews going thru here had bought monkeys in South America and had to leave them here so they built a large cage and put them all to-gether. The nites are too cold, however, and they are dying one by one. One of the pets is a Honey Bear which I told you about before. It surely likes candy.
            To watch the natives you would think them industrious because they walk at a sort of dog-trot. Industry isn’t apparent in their dress, however.
            To get breakfast we have to get up by 6:30 and it is just getting light then. So far, I’ve been waking up just in time. Breakfast is the best meal they have — either fried eggs & pork, hot cakes & sausage or French toast & pork. I imagine the post saves a lot of money by having breakfast so early.
            We pass the time by working around the plane or laying in the sun & reading. Its always a question whether to take a shower in the morning when the water is hot and the air is cold or wait until evening when it is visa versa. This morning we moved to another tent where another crew was that we knew. This tent has an electric light. Before we used candles. After moving we all went to chapel. It too has a melodian.
                                    Yours truly,
                                                John
Got a haircut & shampoo for 48¢ U.S. Toilet paper is rationed.