On Board SS Padnsay

Las Palmas

1934

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We were in Madeiras yesterday (a Portugese possession); today in the Canaries at both Tenerife and Las Palmas, Spanish islands. Captain has changed our money into English pounds so you can imagine Americans trying to keep the exchanges straight but we have done a fairly good job at that.

Tenerife is just like a South Texas town. The people are Spanish, of course. There is a hustle and bustle around the docks as you see in American harbors. The country is very rugged because these islands are also of volcanic origin. The highest peak is 12,180 feet high, covered with snow.

The public gardens are beautiful. Great high poinsetta bushes are covered with blossoms. Purple vines with a million flowers, flowers of all colors and descriptions. The hills are terraced for gardens and all the watering is done by irrigation. It reminds me of Corpus Christi, Texas.

All the stores close at eleven o'clock and open at two. During this time they run down their iron shutters and the town looks like our Sundays.