Paris France
January 3rd/18.
My Dear Sister -

Well at last I have time to write something like a letter. As I told you in the note I wrote the other day, I am having one of the best times of my life, and believe me I can appreciate it after about a year of trench life. Well I will try and tell you a little of the time I am having. Well I left the battn with my whole kit caught a motor lorry and rode to the station. I got on several trains and sometimes the wrong one, as there was not a through train to Paris. Well any time I had to wait on a train the Y.M.C.A. canteens were handy so I could always get something to eat. It took me from 10.30 a.m. till 8 a.m. the next day to get here. Well when we arrived there was a motor lorry waiting for to take us to the Y. and to report. They also had a hot breakfast ready when we got here. They also take parties of us fellows sightseeing around town and arrange daily motor rides to the surrounding towns and country. If ever you get a chance, -help the Y.M.C.A. as much as possible as they sure use us white always whether in the line or out. One thing though it is very expensive here one thing and another it runs away with the cash. I have 700 francs and I am having to go careful in lots of ways to make it spin out the fourteen days. The hotel that I am staying at is near the oldest church in Paris. The church is in the place de Madeline. I wish you could see it. It is sure fine. The king and queen of France used to worship there. It does not look like a church on the outside. It looks more like a town hall. There is no steeple to it, but it is very beautiful inside. Then there is Napoleons monument, and other places too numerous to mention. I have a room of my own here. It costs six francs per night. It is a dandy though. Four large mirrors in it a dandy lounge soft chairs, and best of all a feather bed. I get so lazy that it is about eleven oclock every day when I rise. There is no shortage of food in this town. A person can eat what they like, but it is rather expensive. One thing these Frenchmen know how to eat and prepare food. Oh on New Years eve the proprietors of this hotel gave us a kind of social evening. They had some champagne and gave me some. It tastes just like apple ciders. I partook of it quite freely and so was slightly inebriated. I hope you will not judge me too harshly when I confessed as I did. Now please don't for I will see it does not happen again. There is one thing though. There are hundreds of people on the streets at all times, of both sexes who are up to no good. There has been quite a few soldiers drugged and robbed already, but a fellow is alright so long as he keeps his eyes open. Well I hope you are all in the best of health at home there. I am enjoying perfect health myself, and another thing I am pleased to say I am not lousy. It is the first time though since I hit France. Oh well Ish ca bibble we'll live and hope for this war to finish soon.

Write often to your ever loving brother
Don and I'll try to answer regularly.
Won't forget.