*September 5th 1945. Japan

Yes, that was the day. I can’t remember which one.

We were to leave the following morning. Breakfast at

6 a.m., before travelling by train, to the Hospital ship

in the bay. First on the list was a wash under massive

banks of hot showers, then all our hair removed and

DDT sprayed on us. Our clothing and possessions replaced

with American Naval attire: shirt, trousers, and hat, which

we thought amusing. We loved the fresh clothing.

We’d never had the chance to say goodbye to anybody,

Particularly the Japanese friend  who I’d bathed with,

leading up to our departure. However, we’d had several

chats about the future of Japan, considering she was at

the bottom of a smoking heap. Oh, and I must not forget the

farmer, who used his two wheeled farm cart, who’d come a long

way with a 44 galleon drum full of supplies, dropped by a plane.

We’d almost nothing! He was swamped with Red Cross foodstuffs

and clothing in return. We loved his honesty. He hadn’t expected any

payment. Refreshing, so refreshing considering we’d