22nd October, 1943: I was as sick as a dog

This morning, I was up early, full of the joys of life, full of new hope. Was it not pay-day? Quite some time before the pay officer arrived, several of us would glance at the pay accounts office, in the hope that it might be open. At last! Again I have money in my pocket, a real pay day at last. A carefree spirit prevailed through the camp. 

We now settled down to wait for the fruit man, but he did not show up until after "tiffin". Many fellows were owing him some money, and I felt proud to see them all gather round him to pay off their debts. This is a great deal to be in for his type of trust. I cannot imagine anyone trying to swindle him. 

In the early afternoon we went up to Mauripur to make up our khaki differences. This done, we returned and pulled up at the "Grand" for a cup of coffee. Their coffee is worth buying - cream and plenty of sugar. The fancy cakes are equal to any I had tasted at the price, at any time. I do not know what was in them, but these cakes simply melted in one's mouth. We returned to camp for dinner, and to dress for the evening. 

Nessin and I walked together again. Neither of us had said a word about hurrying, but we found ourselves tearing into town and making up for the crawling pace of previous evenings. This rather amused me, and I mentioned the fact to him. He laughed and simply said, "We have a mission tonight, we have money as well as time to spend." We made a few inquiries about photographs and films. At one shop the man seemed very honest, "films", he said, "are very expensive, I advise you not to buy one". He told us that the price was very high due to the black market. We could easily believe that, for we had our doubts previously. 

We made our way to the "Chinese Eastern Restaurant" - with full satisfaction of being able to order a really good meal. By way of a change, and out of curiosity, I ordered a Chinese dish - of chicken fried rice with prawn. It looked like a plate full of cooked rice with small pieces of chicken and other ingredients in small quantities, all mixed up. At first, I did not think I would like it, but having become accustomed to the taste, found it very pleasant and palatable. Even as I ate it, I would gladly have changed it for a plate full of steak and onions. Having finished the dish, it was not long before I felt that to have eaten more would have caused a great deal of uncomfort. 

Later that night I was as sick as a dog, and words kept repeating in my mind - "Eat what you know you like" and leave Chinese Chicken Fried Rice to the Chinese. In future it would be a European dish. Why waste a good appetite.