Saratoga (CV 3) - Naval Cruise Book

Page 13 text:

hat e id in anama VISIT to Panama signified different things to different men. To some sailors it meant an opportunity to do some high pressured shopping and souvenir hunting, to a wise few it meant sight seeing, acquiring information about new faces and new things, and to still others it meant Jimmie Deanls, Kelly's Ritz, Bradyls Tipperary and a long distance View of Cocoanut Grove. If you were among the shoppers and Souvenir hunters we hope you visited the Commissary Store in Balboa and purchased linens for mother or wife. In case you bought there you were sure to get what you paid for. The small shops run by Chinese, Hindus and Panamanians along Avenida Central gave you ample opportunity to test your bargaining skill, dickering or bartering ability. But in these shops kimonas for Sweetheart were to be had in abundance, to say nothing of the silk unmen- tionables which the fair sex delights to have. NIaduro's, the French Bazar, Antonio's and New China are dependable and if you got her a bottle of perfume, pocket book or native jewelry, you will be received with open arms. Of course, there are cer- tain merchants along the avenue who never fail to profit from the well known fact that mercerized cotton or rayon when treated with beer looks much like silk. This deceiving trans- formation is accomplished by getting the beer inside the buyer. VVe know Saratoga shoppers were too clever for this. Shipls Service did very well by us. hlany men went home hearing Gifts bought only on board where they .rocured good E1 H IH . 7 . p PH goods at fair prices. Hundreds of our men found the HY equipped and ready to cater to their wants and needs. Here, and at the Community Club House they were able to swim, bowl, see moviesy write letters, enjoy American prepared food and get a Chocolate soda. The Ancon Cafeteria proved a good place to eat. Sight See-ing The HPlane Talk carried some pertinent information relative to sight seeing while on the Isthmus. lf you boarded a Bus at the NYU and deposited the small sum of fifty cents you are thinking back on some sights worthy of being remembered, ln old Panama, the haunts of Nlorgan came toimind. The stop at the Cathedral and before the Golden Altar caused you to pause in reverence. Balboa Nlonument, the Zoo with its Central American menagerie, the French Plaza, Presidentls Palace and National Theatre all contributed to give you an idea of new places and different ways of doing things. A special trip to hfladden Dam and a run out to Pedro Nliguel Locks would have provided cause to make you proud you were an American, to see such engineering skill. The Panama Railroad which crosses the Isthmus gave a chosen few an opportunity to see the intervening country, Gatun Lake, Cristobal, Colon, Coco Solo Naval Base and the Atlantic. Remember, many people pay fancy prices to visit the Canal Zone. Uncle Sam made the trip possible for you as a part of the day's work. Here's hoping you enjoyed it! Eleven

Page 12 text:

15:-'7 , , .A an- f..,,, Q C!ll'iJl'771Il5 Parly on ffm Hangar Dffk Flying: Furmfzfffm l -M 1 Landing Planes in Flf ll 0 - 1' . , gl png mn! 711, .Marutffgu nw ln!! IHQ- ' Km

Page 14 text:

Twelve A Right-The National Lottery is quite an institu- tion throughout Central America. Seated alongside the nzain thoroughfares of the City of Panama may be seen old women who hold boards. On these boards hang long strips of paper with numbers. You pay ffty cents and take a ticket. Once a week the winners are drawn. This picture shows the lottery drawing. Sometimes the holders of the winning numbers are made independent. More often your number is unheard of and you are simply out tlze price of the ticket. 'J Left-flfter twelve days at sea with work and drills, liberty call is sweet music to a seaman's ears The arrival of the Fleet in Panama boosted the local population some 40,000 Fortunately for aif concerned, they could not all go ashore at once. Bu: the parties were large and the streets of Balboa, Alncon and Panama City were crowded with white uniformed men. Pier I7 was a busy place with .oxen coming and going to the various units anchored of shore. Tugs did good service in relieecizzg the heazj duty of ship's boats. But it was a long ride under' tropical sun. 'N - ..., s Q S f 1 L 5