From New York to Washington

Kai Tiaki : the journal of the nurses of New Zealand, Volume XVI, Issue 3, 1 July 1923, Page 107

From New York to Washington

Brmrrm! Brrrrrrni!! What a noise. and how it persisted! I sleepily opened one eye. and then the other one much quicker, as 1 realised with a start that the sound issued from the telephone standing on the table dividing Miss Aston 's bed from mine. Lifting up the receiver, and calling through "Hullo!" the voice at the other end said, in an indignant tone: " You wished to be called at 7 a.m., ma'am!" 1 think I remembered to say "Thank you!" and hung up the receiver. Yes; that was the hour J had stated to the operator the night previous, but it sounds so xvvy different in the a.m. Rousing my cousin (how she slept !), we hurriedly took our tub and dressed with an unusual surprised cheerfulness for so early; but then we realised our first day's vacation had actually started after six months' hard work through the heat of the summer. We had spent the night in the enormous Pennsylvania Hotel, in New York City. Try to form an idea of the size, when you realise that it contained 2000 bedrooms and each equipped with a bathroom ! We were on the fifteenth floor, and still they went up! One really feels like the Vanderbilts for a while, especially as the redcapped porters, with their shining black faces pay you every attention. One never dreams of carrying his own grip. Just hold your head up (who is to know what your purse contains?) and walk ahead. Hands are put out to assist you in the train, your grip placed where you want it, and, leaving a tip in the hand of the departing red cap, you are off without any accompanying whistles and shrieks — just glide out of the depot. As soon as you are out a couple of miles, the attendant for your carriage comes along with a pillow in a fresh-looking case, and slips it behind your back. Your hat is kept dust-free by placing it in a bag provided, and then, if you require further attention, such as a card table brought to you, a button conveniently placed at the side of the wall will soon bring back the willing porter.

Isn't travelling delightful in the United States? It certainly is— especially after one has tasted of the .Main Trunk Line! Two and a-half hours brought us to Philadelphia, the Quaker city. We remained here two days, seeing* points of interest. Fairmount Park is the chief attraction, stretching for miles and miles and remains in its natural state. A beautiful river runs through it, and there is plenty of bush about. Nothing is more delightful than to drive through a portion of it. This city is also the home of surgery — lange university hospitals in every quarter of the town, dental colleges, etc. We were fortunate in gaining admission to some of them, and they were certainly line. Philadelphia is a xevy old city, and has some venerable structures standing there. We saw Betsy Ross's home, where the first American flag was made. Th's was of particular interest to the American tourist. Although called the Quaker city, the Baptists have the largest number of churches, and there is a joke told to every visitor that they had to raise the water taxes on that account. Leaving Philadelphia, we made our way on to Baltimore, merely another two hours' journey. Our interest there lay in seeing the John Hopk us Hospital, and so, as soon as we disposed of our grips, we made our way in its direction. What fine-looking buildings presented themselves before our eyes! Standing well back from the road on an elevated position, we could not help but make exclamations. The superintendent received us, and spoke so highly of our "Kai Tiaki," of which the hospital often receives a copy, and called one of the heads to show us round. Their X-ray departments were just newly-equipped on a large scale, and covered some hundred feet, had several departments, and, as we passed through, each one was busy, and there was a line of patients waiting. We were introduced to some of the doctors, and they all showed a keen interest

in our country and asked about our hospitals. The operating-rooms were six in number, and were on the top floor, in the oldest portion of the building; and so they were of the usual type. I must not pass over John Hopkins Hospital without speaking highly of the fine stamp of women they had in training. 1 suppose we can account for that by the difficulty there is to gain admission. Baltimore is, not an attractive city in itself. It is very old, and the streets are narrow, and I suppose its progress is somewhat dampened a litale by its close proximity to the Capital City, which is within an hour's ride. Washington is beautiful. Here residfi all the diplomats from fore'gn countries, the Senators and Representatives from each State, and last, but not least, the President, who resides in the White House — a very simple-like structure. Picture to yourself a city of broad streets lined either side with huge trees, massive white buildings ; and also note the absence of bad-smelling factories. All manufactures are made in Alexandria, Virginia, just across the river. As you leave the union depot the Capitol faces directly in front of you, with its huge white dome gleaming all day in the sun's rays, and at night still shines out with the huge searchlights thrown on it. Here is where the future of the countrj is angued over, and a passer-by w,ho enters the Senate's Chamber for an hour will not find the time wasted, each man fight ing hard for his own State. A walk through there is very thrilling. One never knows who that big man may be who passes you by, until a janitor will kindly extend his knowledge as to the man's identity, and then you look back with awe in your eyes and wonder just why he wears such shabby clothes. Across from the Capitol lies the Congressional Library, the architecture of Avhich makes one igasp as one realises it is the handiwork of mere man. The ceiling is covered by a thin plate of pure gold. In the floors are embedded fantastical shapes of pure gold, and at night, when the lights shine, the effect is indescribable. I could spend

hours daily telling you of the different buildings, but it will take up too much space. I must mention that little spot over the river, where America's unknown hero lies — a plain white tomb at the back Df which rises up the marble pillars of the amphitheatre where President Harding delivered that memorable speech haerd in Central Park, New York, by radio — a truly fitting place, commanding a view of all Washington. We aLso took a trip up the Potomar River to (leorge Washington \s home — just an hour's run in the ferry to this pretty old Southern home. Ft remains to-day the same as when the family lived in it. being carefully preserved by the American Legion. We saw all through each room, and one could almost imagine George Washington himself would appear. Out in the igrounds was the oldfashioned garden — winding paths and box hedges and the spinning-house. How you all would have enjoyed that ! A lawn sloped down to the river and made a delightful picture from the verandah. Can you wonder we like this city above all others? The people are delightful, and we have enjoyed every minute of it. Work is very plentiful, but we find that wherever we go. Misses Yorke and Pickens are still up in New York City, and are kept very busy. Hoping this will prove of interest to you all. Yours sincerely, MUEIEL HARVEY, R.N.