I left Canada on board the SS Columbia on October 16, 1952. We sailed from Quebec City and after nine days at sea we arrived at Cherbourg. It was some voyage. The sea was at it's worst for about three days. The waves were like mountains, and the ship was like a cork. There were fewer and fewer at each meal as the days went on. I was glad that I hadn't joined the navy. We arrived at Cherbourg on the morning of October 25th, 1952 and left by train for Paris, after we got through the usual landing procedures. On arrival in Paris we were taken to hotels. We spent Saturday and Sunday night in Paris, then on Monday morning we left by train for 2 Wing via Metz and Faulquemont. We went in the back of trucks from there to the station. The station was a sea of mud. Being single I was put in one of the barracks. There was an improvised mess hall in one of the buildings, but no lights. Trucks were brought up to the windows so they could shine their lights in. The only source of heat in the buildings was Herman Nelson heaters. The were OK if you were close to the end of the duct otherwise you froze. A lot of nights you went to bed with your clothes on and your great coat over top of the blankets. The hangers were not yet finished but usable. As for recreation facilities, there was nothing other than they showed some movies in what was to become the mess hall. We stood on ladders and packing cases to watch. Most of the movies were in French, so if you couldn't understand French you were out of luck. The Theatre was under construction as were a lot of the other buildings. All in all it was a great experience, and one I will remember for the rest of my life. I am glad I was among the first to be there.