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Dishing on the Hilton

I enjoyed Valli Herman's review of the Hilton at Mission Bay ("Slow and Go in San Diego," Aug. 3).

I worked there as a busboy, restaurant waiter and room service waiter in the late 1960s and early 1970s and remember a room service breakfast delivered to a guy in a suit who obviously was carrying a gun. It wasn't until years later that I learned that this was U.S. Atty. Gen. John Mitchell.

Then there was the little old lady from La Jolla who was constantly having her house redone. She would arrive with her three yapping dogs and check into a beach-view room. Every evening, she'd order a hamburger plate for her and three ground sirloin patties for her dogs. It was my job to deliver them. She always greeted me at the door, until the dogs learned to like me. Then I could come in. Anyway, thanks for the memories.

--Larry Peery, Oceanside, Calif.

At campsite, noise annoys

Despite the high cost of gas, we drove our RV to the San Bernardino Mountains for some peace, quiet and stargazing.

About 8:30 p.m., in drove an RV and a trailer (for their "toys"), and the owners immediately set up a bright light that illuminated the campground.

So much for seeing stars.

Then the RV started its generator, which we figured its owners were using to cook dinner so it probably wouldn't last long.

But then they started another generator outside that was very loud.

If you go camping so you and your kids can watch movies or play video games all night, do us all a favor and stay home. Campers need to respect others in the campground.

--Susan Eggers, Placentia

A breath of foul air in China

The best health advice you can give people about China is this: Don't go.

Tens of thousands of Olympics goers will return home with upper respiratory illnesses.

Exhaust pollution (except for that being emitted by diesel cars and trucks) is the least of tourists' worries; there is pollution from manufacturing. All tourists should consider wearing charcoal-filtered face masks outside their hotels.

--Ernest Salomon, Santa Barbara

Stop and drop that bottle

In reference to On the Spot ("Bottled Rage," July 27): I have been taking empty water bottles through security and filling up before boarding for years. But it doesn't always work.

Returning recently from South Korea, I followed the usual process. At the boarding gate, there was another security check, where I was told I couldn't take it on board.

In Japan, after going through security where signs said no water bottles were allowed, I didn't bother to fill up beyond security. But there was no second security check at the boarding gate so I would have been fine.

--David Jemison, Westlake Village