Lillian's European Trip
This is the diary of my trip to Europe with my mother, Susi, during the Summer of 1930 at the age of 15.
Saturday
Friday
Thursday
July 17, 1930
Got up late. Had dinner at Lohofsky's. Went to Rosnau in the auto. Had a lot of fun talking German to the bystanders. Had lunch at a restaurant. Came home about 6 o'clock. In the evening I went to hear the gypsy music with Geza, Andor Gall, Pika, and Geza K. Later we went over to Aladar's house to develop pictures. Latzi & I came home 11 o'clock.
Went to see how they make soda & lemonade. Also went to see the bee hives & watched the bees working. It is very, very interesting.
Wednesday
July 16, 1930
Got up early to go to the Ice Helle. Something went wrong with the motor & we had to walk part of the way. We took pictures by the Ice Helle and ate dinner at the hotel. In the evening Geo. & Latzi left me home alone and went out riding with some girls. I then went walking with Geza & his friend from Hungary. Went to bed late.
Tuesday
July 15, 1930
In the morning Geo., Latzi and I took a walk in the woods. In the afternoon Pika, Geo., Latzi, and I took a walk to the Folk's Garden where Pika took pictures of us. On the way back we stopped to get a drink of beer. We (Geo. & I) watched them shear the sheep. On the way home Latzi & I made up. In the evening we went out riding (Geo., Latzi, Pika, Geza K., & I). Went to bed late.
Monday
July 14, 1930
Got up late. Didn't do much the whole day. Saw 2 good-looking soldiers on a wagon. They passed Irene & I a couple of times. They winked and wanted us to go for a ride with them. About one o'clock Irene went back to the Ice Helle again. Again I cried. For some reason or other Latzi got angry at me & wouldn't speak to me. I went & watched them repair the auto. During the evening the 4 of us stayed at home. Latzi laid on the divan, Geo. played the victrola, while I could do nothing but cry. I also met 2 new fellows this evening.
Sunday
July 13, 1930
Got up early, about 7 o'clock. Boy! I saw a handsome soldier. He waved & smiled. In the morning Latzi, Geo., & I went to hear the soldier music. Everyone stood around the car. While out in the car Geo. took my bracelet & gave it to Latzi. As a forfeit he wants 12 kisses. In the afternoon we went out to the Ice Helle & got Irene. There we took a long ride to Vlachov & past the Folks Garden. In the evening we went to the kino. The picture was rotten. We all fell asleep. There was Geo., Irene, Latzi, Pika, Geza K., Jula K., Andor G., & I. Got home shortly before 12 o'clock.
Saturday
July 12, 1930
Didn't do much the whole morning. In the afternoon Latzi & I played dominoes. To-day a whole lot of soldiers came here. Also Uncle Sam, Aunt Lizzie & Geo. came. Gee! but I was glad to see them . During the evening it rained something terrible. Geo., Geza, Latzi, Andor Gall, Maxie K., Pika, Geza K. and I stood outside on the bench. We had a lot of fun. Then we sat out in the machine. We went to be after 12 o'clock.
Friday
July 11, 1930
Got up quite early. To-day was a very dreary day. It rained some in the afternoon, but not very much. We were invited for dinner at Aunt Molly's house. They treated us very nice. About 5 o'clock we came home. I didn't even eat any supper. I felt so full. It was cool in the evening and it rained so I did not go out. I sat by the window. Outside on the bench were Pika, Soly K., Soly P., Aladar H., Alamer S., Andor Gall, Gypsy Latzi, Gusti Pochubay, Maxie Kirschner, Geza Kracsun, & another fellow. Went to bed early about half-past 10.
Thursday
July 10, 1930
Got up early this morning. Had a lot of fun watching the people come and go. Had a lot of fun with 8 scouts from Breslau. Went home on the auto bus about a quarter of 4. Poor Irene and I both cried, but I told her to think about Herr Leopold Buttermilch. Soly P. & Alemer S. were at the Ice Helle when I left. The way through the woods was very beautiful. I was all excited when I got home. Latzi was home already, too. Became acquainted with Andre Fejer. In the evening, Geza I. & Gusti took a walk through the promenade where the gypsies played music. Latzi walked with Katona. Sat on the bench for awhile with Soly P., Soly K., Maxie K., our Geza, and Andor Gall. Went to bed quite early.
Wednesday
July 9, 1930
Got up about 9 o'clock. Most of the morning I was in the post with Irene. In the afternoon Irene F. went home. Then the two of us were there alone. I watched the people come and go. In the evening Irene & I went out walking. It was so cold that we nearly froze. We went to bed about 11 o'clock. Andre F. spoke on the telephone to me in Eng. He said, "You are beautiful." Talked with some American people. Received Edelweiss flowers & a lovely letter from Pika P.
Tuesday
July 8, 1930
Got up before 8 o'clock. Then we walked around a little bit. At noon T. Burger was here. He took us for a ride in his car. In the afternoon Irene F. and I went to the Ice Helle. Here from the top of the hill we could see the Tatra in the distance outlined against the sky I have never seen anything so marvelous as the Ice Helle. Our guide explained everything to me in German. There was the little capelle, Niagara Falls, Christmas tree, window with curtain, show stage with curtain drawn, the organ, the altar, and the rose garden all made of ice. Near the entrance the top of the Helle shone like diamonds. Then there is a magnificent place for skating. The rose garden was lit up by different colored lights. Outside of the Ice Helle, the woods are all Christmas trees. Later, Irene F. took some pictures of us. In the late evening, we 3 went out walking with Kalman Benedicty. It was very cool to go out walking and I was glad to crawl into bed.
Monday
July 7, 1930
Got up at 7 o'clock. Left about half past 8 on the auto bus for the Ice Helle. The ride was simply marvelous. From way up on the hills you could look down and see Dobsina between the hills. All around were hills some a light green color and some almost a blue color. Irene was waiting for me when I arrived. Gee! but it's cool around here. In front of the hotel across the road is a large fountain. Irene introduced me to Mr. Fejer and the other girls that work here. I stood outside and watched the autos & buses that came. Here I also met Irene Fejer. The 3 of us took a walk in the evening through the woods. Irene F. took us through her father's villa which is very nice. The 2 Irenes smoked a cigarette & coaxed me to, but I would not take any. It was after 10 when we went to bed.
Sunday
July 6, 1930
To-day was the firemen's mayarlas. I went out about 3 o'clock with Emma Kraus, her firl friend, and Margaret Medveg. The weather was fair, but there was not much doing only dancing. Geza K. said his first dance would be with me, but we left before dark. Also John Lichy asked me to dance, but I told him I could only dance chadash. We walked home with Victor Kraus. Also I saw Capt. Endler there at the picnic. Geza had already been to the Ice Helle when we returned home. I sat out on the bench till after 11 with mother & Emma Kraus.
Saturday
July 5, 1930
Finished reading "The Door." After lunch Geza and I went to the beauty shoppe. He, to get a shave and I to get my hair washed and waved. Returned Miss Stempel's books and got another one to read. Went to the bank with Geza and stayed there awhile. In the afternoon I tried to learn some Hungarian. Soly Kraus read some Eng. for me. In the evening we went to the Kino. I met John Lichy. Picture was pretty good but the seats were hard. Came home quite late.
Friday
July 4, 1930
To-day was a big holiday in U.S. but, alas! I was not there to celebrate. Read most of the day. In the evening Geza and I went to hear the gypsy music. We were joined by Pika, Aladar & Andor. It was here that I met Jula Kracsun. Still went walking in the evening till nearly 12 o'clock with Geza & Pika. Sat on Sokia's bench with Geza, Pika, Maxie & Aladar Sollar.
Thursday
July 3, 1930
Got up late. Read most of the morning. During the afternoon we pressed the wash by a mangle. It sure was funny. Then we visited old Mrs. Soika and her daughter Erma. Old Mrs. Soika is 87 yrs. old. To-day I met Eva Benedicty that works in the bank with Geza. I was in the bank for a little bit. In the evening I met Andor Gall. Mother, Aunt & Mr.s Stempel went to visiit Mrs. Sekerka. I stayed home & kept company with Soly K., Soly P., Andor G., Aladar, Pika, Geza K. and some other fellow whose name I don't know. We had lots of fun talking English.
Wednesday
July 2, 1930
Got up about 9 o'clock. To-day was wash day. At noon Mrs. Sekerka and her sister surprised us just as we were eating dinner. I went to the stream where they was clothes & helped Aunt Sophie carry the clothes home. Then I did the dishes. Later Aunt & I cooked gooseberry jelly. It was close to 6 o'clock when the washing was done. In the evening the gypsied played music. I went walking in the promenade with Geza & his friend who is learning to speak English. Then they went to the theatre. I didn't go because it was in Hungarian. Then Uncle & I went to hear the gypsies play.
Tuesday
July 1, 1930
I slept till late this morning. Then I spent most of the morning in writing letters to father, Eleanor, and George. The rest of the time I spent in reading. In the evening, Geza and I went out walking till late. Irene D. acted very funny, but I don't care. I saw the 2 soldiers also. Was very tired when I went to bed.
Monday
June 30, 1930
Got up early and walked over the hills to Julius with Mother and Aunt Sophie. On the way we saw an odyx, a toad, and a little dead porcupine. We stopped on the way to pick a few berries. As we came to a stream there was no bridge across it, only a few logs. Mother said she would rather wade through the stream than cross the logs. Aunt S. & I were about half way across when mother let out a scream. I nearly lost my balance on the logs then. She thought she had seen a crab coming toward her. We finally got there after 2 hrs. walk! There I met Emma & Victor. They all treated us very nice. Emma wanted me to stay for a few days. We took the long way home because mother was too tired to climb the hills. On the way I picked a large bouquet of flowers. We were some sight when we got home about 8 'clock. We went over to visit Susie Stempel for a little while. I watched them bake bread outside in an oven at Julius.
Sunday
June 29, 1930
I was up before six because Latzi was going away at six. Then I fell asleep again and he came in our bedroom and said "Servus." Then he was gone. In the morning I went to church and sat with the girls that sing in the choir. About 11 o'clock Geza went to Poprad and then I was more lonesome than ever. At 12 we had dinner at Znetko's. We took 3 pictures of the family. Here I saw "Gypsy" Latzi and asked him if he could play my favorite pieces. In the late afternoon I took a walk up to Irene D.'s house, but she was not home. In the evening I went walking a little with A[unt] Mollie and her girlfriend.
Saturday
June 28, 1930
During the morning, I didn't do much. I got up rather late. In the late afternoon we visited Aunt Molly who gave me some candy. Old Mrs. Klausman gave me a nice bouquet of pink and white roses. In the evening there was a dance for the students. I was with Irene D., Euliska, and Linka P. We also met Capt. Hamada and his friend. Capt. Hamada asked me to dance with him, but I told him I wasn't a student. Soly P. also asked me to dance, but I wouldn't go. I'll never forget the way Latzi looked at me as I brushed my teeth before going to bed. The following morning he was to leave for Jugo Slavia. We all helped him yet to get everything ready for his trip the next morning. It was late when we went to bed.
Friday
June 27, 1930
In the morning I went over to Uliska's where I practiced on the piano. In the afternoon Irene D. & Uliska came over after me to go bathing. The water was cool and Uliska and I did not want to go in. Old. Mr. Niccasee came and shoved me in. At first Irene stayed with me, but then she swam away. I wanted to go out and as I took a step the water somehow lifted my feet and I was under water. Somehow I managed to hold my hand upwards. Bailla Gall saw me and he came and rescued me. Oh! I never want to go to a swimming pool again. When I came home Pika took my picture. Later in the afternoon Latzi played the victrola for me & sang. In the evening Irene, Uliska, and I went to hear the gypsies play. To-nite the Eng. pupils consisted only of Aladar, Soly, and Pika.
Thursday
June 26, 1930
I spent the morning reading magazines & books. In the afternoon mother and I went visiting. We visited Frau Kovach. In the evening I went with Irene D. to hear the gypsy music. Mr. Znetko also played with the gypsies. Irene D., her mother, mother, and I got a riide home in Mr. Burger's auto. Then again we had Eng. class. This time there was Pika, Geza, Aladar, and Soly P. as pupils. Boy! did I have the fun with them. Eng. class lasted till after 10 o'clock.
Wednesday
June 25, 1930
I got up rather late to-day. Before noon I played the victrola. The spring in the victrola broke and I couldn't play any more. I cried for a half hour because I broke the victrola. In the afternoon Aunt Sophie, Mother, and I went visiting. To-day I met a man who speaks English. He loaned me some Eng. books to read. In the evening I played Eng. teacher to Pika, Geza and Aladar. I learned to count up to 40 in Hungarian. Latzi brought me a nice bouquet of roses. We went to bed early because it started to rain.
Tuesday
June 24, 1930
Got up a quarter of seven. At 10 o'clock I went over to Uliska's where I played the piano for an hour and a half. In the afternoon I went over to Irene D.'s place where I stayed till 4 o'clock. Then she walked home with me. Before supper Geza and I took a walk way down to the train station. In the evening Irene and her mother came over. We took a little walk and then sat on the bench. We were later joined by Uliska and 5 fellows. We had so much fun with Pika. We laughed till we couldn't laugh any more. I didn't see Latzi all evening. He is going away soon and then I'll be more lonesome than ever.
Monday
June 23, 1930
Early this morning I got up. I was all upset because Irene had to go back to the Ice Helle. We both cried & cried. The morning seemed very long to me. I had nothing to do. Poor Aunt Sophie lay sick in bed. Soly P. asked me to go to the Ice Helle with him in the afternoon, but mother said I should better wait till we could all go to-gether. After lunch, Latzi sang my favorite song for me. About half past three Latzi and I took a walk up the new road. Then he sang many Hung. songs for me and also my favorite. He explained to me what it meant. My heart jumps every time he looks at me. I believe he likes me a whole lot. I like him very much. I was at Uliska's where I played the piano. In the evening Geza and I took a walk and were later joined by Soly P. who told us all about the Ice Helle and the kino. He always refers to me as "Miss." We went to bed late. To-day also Latzi took his second lesson in Eng.
Sunday
June 22, 1930
To-day the children were to have their Mayarla's. In the morning we played the victrola. Latzi sang for me and oh! so nice. How he looked at me as he sang it? He sure is handsome. About half past one we went to the Folk's garden in an auto because it was raining. I wore my green dress and Irene's coat. Everyone looked at my dress and the girls said it was pretty. Alto-gether there were 12 of us girls. I had a lot of fun with Soly. I also met some new boy friends. One was Puby, Max's brother. We started to walk home 10 min. after 7 and got home about 8. On the way we picked flowers and had a lot of fun. There were 20 of us, both girls and fellows. I walked most of the way with Irene and the handsome fellow that developed our pictures. Latzi walked with Nellie. After we reached home we went out walking with Geza. Aunt Sophie went to bed early as she became very sick from eating weiners. It was about 10 o'clock when Irene and I went to bed.
Saturday
June 21, 1930
Irene and I played the victrola most of the morning. After dinner Irene went with me to the beauty parlor where I had my hair washed and marcelled. In the afternoon we went over to Irene D.'s place and stayed till after 5 o'clock. I came home with a bouquet of roses which Irene gave me. In the evening we went to the promenade to hear the gypsy music. It was very nice. I met some more girls. Of course the soldiers would have to be there. The little one spoke Eng. to me. Capt. Hamada wanted to go to the Ice Helle when I go. They walked home with us, too. Oh! such a night. And then we always get a bawling out when we go with them. We went out walking yet with Soly and Max. Boy! did the soldiers look at us then. Soly and max always make a lot of fun. We went to bed quite late. About 2 o'clock in the morning we were awakened by music and heard someone talking and laughing. It was the gypsies, Max, Soly, Gus, and someone else. Then the fun began. When we thought they were gone Irene went to the window. Up jumped on of them. You should have seen Irene run. It was quite a while before we could get them to go.
Friday
June 20, 1930
Most all of this morning I sat in the front room with Irene. In the afternoon Irene D. came over to visit Irene. We played the victrola while she embroidered. In the evening I went walking with Geza. Everyone looked at me, but I don't know why. Geza said it was because they had never seen me before. Before we went to bed Irene and I took a bath. To-day I saw the tallest man in Dobsina.
Thursday
June 19, 1930
To-day was a Catholic holiday and Latzi and Geza were at home. The three of us took a walk in the woods where we picked flowers. Here are the nicest wild-flowers I ever saw. We took a long walk as far as the Folk's garden. Here we rested a while and then started homewards. On the way we stopped for a drink of beer. When we reached home we were just in time for dinner. After dinner we played the victrola while Latzi sang for me. How nice he can sing. He has a wonderful voice. Mother and Aunt Sophie were just ready to go visiting when Aunt Sophie got a telephone call that Irene was sick in bed. Right away they went to get her. In the meantime Ellush and I took a walk to the Folk's garden. Here I met her sister. When I returned Irene was at home already. Poor dear; she had such a bad fever. I went to Ellush's house for a while to play on the piano. The rest of the evening I stayed home with Irene. To-day also Latzi took his first lesson in learning to speak English.
Wednesday
June 18, 1930
Early this morning Irene had to go back to work. Gee! I wish she could have stayed home at least for a week. We were at the courthouse. I was home alone most of the day. I looked at movie magazines to pass the time away. Then in the afternoon Latzi and I went for a walk. He showed me around the place. Then I wrote many postal cards to our friends and a letter to dad & sister. Then later in the evening we went to hear the gypsies play music. Here I met several new girl friends. We went to bed quite early.
Tuesday
June 17, 1930
We got up early to-day and left Aunt Mary's house about a quarter of eight. Aunt Mary, Ella, and Emma came to the train station with us. Here we again rode in one of these animal cage trains. We got off at Moldava and took a bus to Rosnau where we had to wait an hr. for the train to Dobsina. This time we rode second class. Two soldiers sat right across from us. I had a bouquet of roses and they said they liked roses. Then they began describing me. I did not pay much attention to what they were saying. Then when they got off the train they rode away in a wagon. They waved to me till I was out of sight. We took a taxi to Aunt Sophie's house. Then when we reached there we were all soon crying. They were so glad to see us. They telephoned Irene to come home at once. Oh! irene is such a pretty girl. She looks just [like] Lois Moran. Geza has such pretty red hair and Latzi is very nice-looking. In the evening Irene, her girlfriends and I went out walking. Two soldiers passed us several times and looked hard at me. Then they stopped and spoke to us. I recognized the soldiers that rode with us on the train. They walked with us for a long time. They were quite nice. We went to bed early as we were very tired.
Monday
June 16, 1930
To-day I got up rather late; somewhat after 11 o'clock. After breakfast Yola and I took a walk up town. Here we visited the church of Elizabeth's Dome. It resembles Stephan's Church in some ways. It also has beautiful stained glass windows. In one part of the church is a place where the dead priests are laid beneath the surface of the floor. After an hr. we went back to Aunt Mary's and had our dinner. Then again in the afternoon we went out walking this time to the place where Emma worked. Here I met many nice girls. We also went to the mill where Uncle Sam works. We spent the evening talking while Em's beau played the guitar for amusement.
Sunday
June 15, 1930
We got up about six o'clock and then rode down to the station in G. Bröggs' auto. On the way he showed us the chief buildings of Vienna. Emma H. took us into the Stephan's church. It is a very old church, but nice inside. Here are buried several of the Kaiser's relatives. We boarded our train which left at 7:40 o'clock. Such trains I never saw before in all my life. There were wooden benches and not even any place to get water to drink. Everything was dusty and we looked like niggers when we left the train. I saw ancient castles on the way. We got very hungry while on the train and we had to wait about an hour before we could get something to eat. We then took a taxi at the train station and rode to Aunt Mary's home. They were very much surprised to see us. In the evening we all went to a show and saw Chairlie Chaplin. It was quite late when we got home and I was very glad to hit the hay.
Saturday
June 14, 1930
I got up late to-day after a good rest. Then after eating our breakfast we all took the street car and went up to Schönbrun where we went through Franz Joseph's castle. Everything in the rooms was fixed like at the time of Franz Joseph's day. This residence contains 44 rooms. Most everything was made of gold. Every room was different. One was Japanese, another all blue, another rose, etc. The dining room was all fixed for dinner. The table was set for eighteen persons. The dishes were decorated with gold and the spoons, forks, and knives were all of gold. In one bedroom was a cradle decorated with gold. There were many pictures also of Marie Theresia. After visiting the castle we walked through the beautiful gardens surrounding it. We stopped to rest and then went to the menagerie. From there we returned home where I spent the evening writing cards and playing the piano.