I never knnew a lot about my father's experiences in concentration camp. I did know it wasn't good. We were sponsored by a Jewish soccer team and my father got some minimal support. For me. living in that new apartment meant many a sleepless night.
My father came home from work on the bus everyday. It stopped kitty corner from where we lived. With the rolling hills, many people had basement apartments. Windows were literally on the ground level. So what was my nightmare repeatedly? I would dream that my father was coming home. I would always watch for the bus to arrive (which I did in reality). But looking out I would see Nazi's hanging out in those windows with rifles, and obviously looking for Jews.
I would see the bus and scream for my father not to get out because THEY were waiting for him. It always stopped when my dad got off and the Nazi's appeared, but it never went beyond that.
Night after night I would have this recurring dream, ending the same way. I do not know where I got those thoughts. They must have whispered something, or I had picked something up.
I never told my parents.
Sunday, April 25, 2010
De Arcy
We had new neighbors and they had a lot of kids. They were fro the Phillipines. I had never heard of such a destination, but I soon learned they were Catholic. They were nice enough, but something kept me from entering their premises. Our new landlord had informed us that there were rats in their backyard, and that was enough for me not to venture out any further. I played frequently with the boy that was my age. We lived out the lives of the San Francisco Giants and the LA Dodgers. We didn't have much to play with, but ZI soon learned that if I took a tennis ball and hit the side of the curb it would just fly. This is how the neighborhood kids played baseball. It brought us together in the afternoon. the neighbors across the street also had a large family. They would join us for the all-league play-offs that went on for hours. The goal was to make the ball travel as far as we could. I was the only girl playing, being fascinated with the action and the fellowship.
TV was of little significance, although not much was on anyway. We played and played until our parents called us for dinner. It would serve as our seven inning stretch.
And I, well, quite often I would wait for my mother to come home. I would sit on the window sill, two stories up with my skinny legs dangling down. I had come a long way from looking out that bay window in my bedroom on Arguello Blvd.
TV was of little significance, although not much was on anyway. We played and played until our parents called us for dinner. It would serve as our seven inning stretch.
And I, well, quite often I would wait for my mother to come home. I would sit on the window sill, two stories up with my skinny legs dangling down. I had come a long way from looking out that bay window in my bedroom on Arguello Blvd.
Saturday, April 24, 2010
The move.
As I became thoroughly entrenched in my new school, I was quickly uprooted to a brand new school. I thought about asking my dad why we moved there, but I have no idea. Our new home was on the other side of the Golden Gate Park. I can only assume that it was a better neighborhood. It also meant I would be making new friends. For me, life started over once more. My father had his soccer team, which didn't matter where we lived. My mom had no friends so the move would n ot affect her. But I, I had established myself with a wide range of people and mostly, the Rijbelchenko sisters.
Our new home was on the hills of San Francisco. We lived on Lawton Street between 10th and 11th Ave. It meant we had to walk up and down to get to the grocery store. In fact, we no longer had the luxury of going to Safeway. We did our minimal shopping down the hill in a local grocery store. It was a short walk, but a bit more arduous as you had to climb back home.
One thing I remember most was that my mother would send me to the store to get cigarettes for her. No age limit then. The trips were rather frequent, and I did not mind since she would also give me an extra nickel or dime for this chore. We still did not have a car. Public transportation was ideal for someone without an vehicle.
Our new home was on the hills of San Francisco. We lived on Lawton Street between 10th and 11th Ave. It meant we had to walk up and down to get to the grocery store. In fact, we no longer had the luxury of going to Safeway. We did our minimal shopping down the hill in a local grocery store. It was a short walk, but a bit more arduous as you had to climb back home.
One thing I remember most was that my mother would send me to the store to get cigarettes for her. No age limit then. The trips were rather frequent, and I did not mind since she would also give me an extra nickel or dime for this chore. We still did not have a car. Public transportation was ideal for someone without an vehicle.
Haloween
wow, I had never been introduced to the idea that people would give away free food if you knocked on their door. The Rijbelchenko sisters told me about this event, although I didn't quite understand. They made it clear I had to dress up. I explained it to my mom and she made it happen with the things that were readily available. She gave me a pillow case to keep my new found treasures.
Oddly enough, my parents let me go out at night after dark in San Francisco. I was only in the third and well assured since I would be accompanied by the sisters.
So what do we do? We knocked on doors, not knowing who any of these people were. It was no t without curiosity as each adult place their goods in my pillowcase. It was growing, and growing beyond believe. What was this custom? Why had I never heard about it? I liked it a lot, wishing this could be a weekly event.
After our great haul, I had to share my loot with my mom. Neither of us actually knew what some of the tinks were. My mom had to explain that someone had made popcorn balls. How did she know? Well, she worked in the movie theaters in Holland, where Americans relentlessly asked for popcorn. None was to be had.
I got a candied apple, and candy I had never seen before. I tested each carefully since I had a rather discriminating taste bud. But bottom line, it was an incredible night that ventured me further into the new culture.
Oddly enough, my parents let me go out at night after dark in San Francisco. I was only in the third and well assured since I would be accompanied by the sisters.
So what do we do? We knocked on doors, not knowing who any of these people were. It was no t without curiosity as each adult place their goods in my pillowcase. It was growing, and growing beyond believe. What was this custom? Why had I never heard about it? I liked it a lot, wishing this could be a weekly event.
After our great haul, I had to share my loot with my mom. Neither of us actually knew what some of the tinks were. My mom had to explain that someone had made popcorn balls. How did she know? Well, she worked in the movie theaters in Holland, where Americans relentlessly asked for popcorn. None was to be had.
I got a candied apple, and candy I had never seen before. I tested each carefully since I had a rather discriminating taste bud. But bottom line, it was an incredible night that ventured me further into the new culture.
Sunday, April 11, 2010
The birthday party
Nina Rijbelchenko was having a birthday. The elderly neighbor downstairs was going to hold a party which consisted of the two other sisters and me. It was my first party and I was excited. We were all poor, including the neighbor, but the idea of celebrating a birthday was a novelty on its own.
I was rather oblivious of the surrounding, but the neighbor's face is profoundly memorable in my mind. Tall, standing quite erect, with her knowing glasses, soft gray hair put up in a neat bun, she was clearly in charge. She introduced us to new games we had never played before. We were all immigrants.
All the games ran a tally for the available prices, which were neatly wrapped with a bow. I did not contemplate if it was old or used. I had never seen the beauty of a gift before, which almost superseded the content pf the packages. However, winning entitled you to pick first from the batch. Being naturally competitive, it was my goal to be first...and I was.
At that age the value of a package was often by the size of the package. Hence, I chose the largest gift of them all. The sisters had much smaller gifts. Innately, I was proud of myself.
The sisters were instructed to open first. They got a candy bar, perfume, and a cupid doll. All seemed to be great. Certainly, my would be the best of all. I could hardly wait to open it. I shredded the once beautiful gift to a pulp to reveal my surprise.
A surprise it was. I was the winner of a Kleenex box. It would be the first time someone would say that the best gifts did not always come in the larges package. I was clearly disappointed, eying those gifts of what could have been. I learned a big lesson that day. What a memory
I was rather oblivious of the surrounding, but the neighbor's face is profoundly memorable in my mind. Tall, standing quite erect, with her knowing glasses, soft gray hair put up in a neat bun, she was clearly in charge. She introduced us to new games we had never played before. We were all immigrants.
All the games ran a tally for the available prices, which were neatly wrapped with a bow. I did not contemplate if it was old or used. I had never seen the beauty of a gift before, which almost superseded the content pf the packages. However, winning entitled you to pick first from the batch. Being naturally competitive, it was my goal to be first...and I was.
At that age the value of a package was often by the size of the package. Hence, I chose the largest gift of them all. The sisters had much smaller gifts. Innately, I was proud of myself.
The sisters were instructed to open first. They got a candy bar, perfume, and a cupid doll. All seemed to be great. Certainly, my would be the best of all. I could hardly wait to open it. I shredded the once beautiful gift to a pulp to reveal my surprise.
A surprise it was. I was the winner of a Kleenex box. It would be the first time someone would say that the best gifts did not always come in the larges package. I was clearly disappointed, eying those gifts of what could have been. I learned a big lesson that day. What a memory
Lunchtime
We had to sit on the benches in the schoolyard. Each class had its own bench. We could not get up. My lunch was often more unusual than other students. Quite often I would trade with other students to expose myself to American delectables, like snowballs. I loved Hostess Snowballs despite the fact that I was not a fan of coconut. They, in return, loved the cheese that was an essential of my daily diet. It was adventure for my classmates and certainly for me.
I didn't eat much, except junk. I was skinny as a rail, as they would say. Consequently, lunch on the bench would last too long for me. I would daydream and wonder. I was so fascinated with the clouds rolling by above. I never realized that they moved so fast and soared above me. Obviously, I was not a scholar of astronomy. I would look and look, hoping time would pass so I could get off the bench and get to the serious business of playing.
I didn't eat much, except junk. I was skinny as a rail, as they would say. Consequently, lunch on the bench would last too long for me. I would daydream and wonder. I was so fascinated with the clouds rolling by above. I never realized that they moved so fast and soared above me. Obviously, I was not a scholar of astronomy. I would look and look, hoping time would pass so I could get off the bench and get to the serious business of playing.
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Aftermath of injured foot
Well, I couldn't be kept out of school. I loved learning and socializing so much. So I hobbled on one foot to school' twoo blocks over and seven blocks down. The pain never seemed to overwhelm the notion of going to school. Mind you, when I got there, I would have to climb two stories.
Right before lunch I got a message that I was not to go out to the yard to have lunch. I was to report to the principal's office. Now what did I do? Well, actually , nothing. She pointed out how lucky I was to have lunch with her on a daily basis, because doctor's orders were for me not to play outside. She was more than friendly by now, not surprisingly. she was probably mortified that if she handled the situation incorrectly. I soon lost my appetite. The dreaded thought of eating on a daily basis with the person who I so infuriated me was a natural diuretic. One day in the office, and charming as she could ever be. Sweet, and fakely warm. I was antsy to see my friends, even if it meant sitting on a bench. Of course, I wouldn't be doing that, but it sounded good.
I came home and told Mom of my disastrous day in the office and was I going to be punished forever? As you can imagine, my lunch with the witch was quickly suspended.
Right before lunch I got a message that I was not to go out to the yard to have lunch. I was to report to the principal's office. Now what did I do? Well, actually , nothing. She pointed out how lucky I was to have lunch with her on a daily basis, because doctor's orders were for me not to play outside. She was more than friendly by now, not surprisingly. she was probably mortified that if she handled the situation incorrectly. I soon lost my appetite. The dreaded thought of eating on a daily basis with the person who I so infuriated me was a natural diuretic. One day in the office, and charming as she could ever be. Sweet, and fakely warm. I was antsy to see my friends, even if it meant sitting on a bench. Of course, I wouldn't be doing that, but it sounded good.
I came home and told Mom of my disastrous day in the office and was I going to be punished forever? As you can imagine, my lunch with the witch was quickly suspended.
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