Refugee in search of a homeland

careful with spending money. To pay 70 Pf. for the evening meal was sometimes too expensive. I just ended up having a bowl of soup for DM
0.30, whilst my nostrils picked up the aroma of a lovely meat dish and pudding from the neighbouring table, creating an almost irresistible craving for food. By then restaurants did not require food coupons, but until the beginning of January 1950 these were still required for butter. To save money on laundry, I had agreed with Mutter that once a fortnight she would wash all my laundry, which I sent over by parcel post, which cost only DM 0.60 for a small package.

I had booked evening classes for French and English, two nights each from 7 to 9 pm, which left me with three free nights, Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays. I used these to do my homework, write letters and visit Frau von Guenther. During office hours I had to attend classes for commercial apprentices where we were taught book-keeping, accountancy, basic commercial law and typing. I found the typing course the most useful, as I needed it daily in the office and I soon learnt touch-typing. With all these activities there was no spare time and absolutely no money for recreational purposes.

In mid-November I heard from Oma, that John Schmid, her nephew in America, had agreed to send me $US25 per month for two years, but by the end of November the money had still not arrived. Finally by early December John had transferred the whole amount to Wunder & Siemering, with the request to pay me DM100 per month (the equivalent of $US25). From then on I was guaranteed to receive DM150 per month, which was not extravagant, but I could live on it frugally. I was also able to pay back my debts.

My greatest wish, to go home for Christmas could now be realised. I had asked Vater to apply for an Interzonal Pass for me, which I received in time to book a seat on a bus to Magdeburg. As Fräulein Meyer wanted to spend Christmas in Berlin, we went together, and agreed to meet again in Magdeburg on our way home. We crossed the border at the Helmstedt Autobahn crossing on 23.12.49, and I arrived in Emersleben late that night.

What joy it was for everyone to see each other again! Most eventful months had passed since I had left and I had a lot to share with the family. Mutter had cooked a lovely Christmas dinner, and having had so little to eat over the past months, I enjoyed it particularly. They had also invited the Begrichs, the new pastor of the church, Frau Kleinschmidt and the Wenskes for my birthday. As it was to be my 21st, they were making a special fuss about it, and when I received a little parcel on the morning of the 26th, I had no idea what it could be.

"A ring!" I exclaimed, "with the family crest! What a wonderful surprise."

I could hardly believe my eyes. I had said sometime before, that I would love to get a ring with our family crest, but I had never thought that it

221