Densho Digital Archive - Margaret Stanicci Interview (denshovh-smargaret-01-0018)

<Begin Segment 18>

RP: This is tape three of a continuing interview with Margaret Ichino. And Margaret, one of the, one of the situations in camp that people never forget were the latrines.

MS: [Laughs]

RP: How did, how did that affect you?

MS: Now, that was a, a shock because initially of course -- they must have had doors later. They had no doors so that the latrines were open and we did have partitions, but we didn't have... and I know some people would go in in pairs and so one person would stand in front and then the other would sit and then it would change. So, at least they were friends and they were not exposed to the public as they came in. But that was a real shock. And the same thing, of course, in terms of taking the showers and all. I think that was most difficult for the first generation, for the Issei. And they were... it was hard enough for us, for the Nisei. And I think it was much harder for them. It... and then the laundry, that was a time. Did I tell you about that? When we had to use the washboards and I was so tired... I think that's very hard on your back, too. But even washing just my two sheets and my personal clothes, I was so tired. And my... that's when I remembered my mother, when she did that for eight people. Yeah. Great appreciation.

RP: How about the, the food in camp?

MS: Well, the food was terrible when I came because it was in the early days. And it was all just canned, I don't know what. I remember one meal had practically nothing but starches. I think we had four starches or different kind. I think we probably had, maybe we had potatoes and rice and I don't know what... but it was wonderful when the Issei had planted the gardens and the vegetables. When we first got fresh vegetables, that was wonderful. As one thing that I appreciated about the Isseis, they went right to work and planted gardens and many of the families also then planted little gardens in front of their own barracks, in front of their own room space. That was nice. It was, it was good to see that kind of spirit in camp. And by the time I left, there was always, it was far less drab than when I first came a year later. And then it was delightful to see the pictures of camp as it was by the end of camp. It was so much improved.