8 
Early a. m. April, 23/55 
StanleyAdlle 
Except for one heavy rain in Leopoldville, I have not on this trip seen 
so heavy a down pour as started just about the time the Sextons and 
Baker got back yesterday. Began with a driazle, and then came down in 
"bunches.” At supper time, around 7 p.a. a boy frcm the main bui2,ding 
came over with an oversized umbrella came over to escort us one by one 
to the dining room. It was not too bad so I did essay in water repellent 
hat and raincoat I'd brought from home, an old light, topcoat I lad 
"waterproofed,” The rain was cold and the coat felt welcome. The 
Sabena Guest House is much like the better class "motels” back riomei 
the rooms are newly furnished it's all bare minimtj^. We had a time 
scaring up a second table so the two of us, Baker and myself, would 
have vK)rk space, there is no dresser, locker or the like, just a metal 
rack to one side of the twdn-bedroora with four attached coat 
hangers. The beds are low, lattice metal, head and foot and very comfortable, 
two chairs and two little bedside tables and two small benches (with 
shelf under for shoes I would say) din top of which you lay your suit 
case, with grip or brief case beside, basin in room with shower and 
toilet in separate two windowed room, -ample hot water is a blessing 
not only for rinsing nylons, shirts, etc, but for refreshing showers; 
the warmer water seems to take off more than cole one, leaves pores 
open and you cooler than the reaction from a cold one. Here as in 
the Palace Hotel in which we lived did not stint the hot water. Inland 
and away from these larger places it's different. The floors are tile 
here as in Leo are tile, and scrubbed every day. Help is cheap and 
plentiful, and mostly bare- foot, -very willing and always cheerful, 
swarthy black, clothed in cotton shirt and shorts mostly, wholly so 
