Off to Monaco

Monday, October 22, 1917:

A very eventful day. Eric, Hap and myself left by train at 7 o’clock this morning for Monte Carlo. We traveled down the coast thru the most beautiful country I have ever seen. We were in Monte Carlo by 8:30. After taking pictures of the exterior we were shown through the Cassino -- the famous Monte Carlo Cassino where fortunes have been made and lost by a mere revolving wheel. The place opens at 9 o’clock for men in uniform who are not allowed to gamble and closes at 10 o’clock when the tables are opened. Our guide uncovered several of the tables for us and explained the games. It surely is a lavishly decorated place. We saw the theater where the Prince gives his famed concerts and even got into the Prince’s private box.

Then we went up to Monaco, went into the palace, the Prince’s garden and museum. We took many pictures and then took the train for Menton, the border town between France and Italy. We walked up to the border and across into Italy where we all sent postcards to our families. After doing Menton we returned to Monte Carlo, had tea at the Cafe de Paris beside the Cassino and then took the tram for Nice. It was indeed a glorious day and we are indeed thankful that we were fortunate enough to be down in this wonderful place during the war. We are making a very inexpensive trip and seeing much for our money.