We are up early to know about our Passports and the Custom House. The police charged us each 10 francs and 50 centimes for a permit to leave Switzerland. A bus took us to the Customs House and we had a long standing in line before we were allowed to board our train.
The one topic is the exchange of money when we get into France, how many towns there issue their own money which is not good elsewhere. The rules in Switzerland have been most trying. We were glad when the announcement was made that we had crossed into France. It is a case of “flying into perils that we know not of.”
We are settled in at Aix Les Bains, in the handsomest quarters we have had since leaving America. With more Customs and Passports trouble. We got over this to find ourselves up against no small French change. Coins were out of circulation. Five franc note the smallest to get, and some Chambers of Commerce issued one franc notes, which were not accepted elsewhere. For anything smaller we use postage stamps.
Aix Les Bains is a water resort and the location of the Monte Carlo of France - probably the greatest gambling casino in the world. During the war, the Y.M.C.A. took over this great casino and its magnificent theater, seating between 2000 and 3000 persons, a great moving picture theater, and smaller rooms for concerts and entertainments, and a splendidly equipped Caffeteria - all under one roof. Between 4000 and 5000 soldiers could be entertained here at one time. They were quartered in the magnificent hotel of this wonderful watering place. Mt. Blanc, the highest mountain peak in Europe was seen yesterday, and the “Cat’s Tooth” another peak is plainly visible from our balcony, opening out from our room.
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