I went down to Belfast today and it was still there. It’s good to “get away from it all” once in a while. Of course, I haven’t got as much to get away from as I once did.
I had planned to do some shopping, but I didn’t have much success. So many things are rationed. I wanted to get some Irish linen handkerchiefs for you and Bonnie, but they wanted coupons. Since I didn’t have any, I had to give up the idea.
I did get a few things, though. My first stop was Woolworth’s 3d & 6d Store. At first I thought the place had been turned into a commando training camp, but I found out later (when I came to) that it was dollar day (only over here they use shillings). I still don’t know how I got so close to the remnant counter!
You know, of course, that Britain has very little lumber. Consequently, things made of wood are scarce – and expensive. I got three of the cheapest coat hangers they had (that would hold trousers) and they cost one 4 shillings or 80 cents.
And was that store crowded! It seemed just like the 5 and 10 cent stores back home during the holiday season.
They’re short of paper here, too, and things like coat hangers and stationery are seldom wrapped. I started to push my way out of the store. For a while everything went okay. All of a sudden I got all balled up, I mean really. I couldn’t budge. Looking around, I saw that the bare metal hooks on my coat hangers had caught on a sweet young thing and I was about to pull her skirt off! More fun! It’s a good way to get acquainted. I think I’ll try it again some time soon.
The worst thing was I had a hard time getting the darn things untangled. For a while I thought I would have to take her back to camp with me (coat hangers are expensive), but these guys are such wolves. Next Thursday is my day off again. Woolworth’s, here I come!!!
[letterstohome copyright 2008]