I woke refreshed and overjoyed to find the sun beaming out of a blue sky. It was, however, windy and by no means warm. I sprang joyfully to the cold tap in the bathroom. My room companions had already an hour previously departed and as a great pleasure I was allowed to Frühstück [edit: breakfast] in the kitchen, which is somehow more homely than the large empty dining hall. It was already half past 10 and I hastened up to the Uni for my German lesson.
We learnt to begin with Idiomatische phrases, and afterwards dictation... a hasty visit to the StudentenKlub... then home to a good dinner - oh joy, asparagus soup - meat patties, lettuce and potatoes, and afterwards a Mehlspeise. The afternoon was spent in making the last Aufachmen [edit: ?] in the phonogram archive and afterwards in a Buchwei (secondhand books) and bought a much longed for knust geschichte and Willhelmmeisters Lehrjahre from Goethe for 2 RM.
After abendessen, which consisted of eggrice (?) (scrambled egg and rice and lettuce), I settled down in my favourite corner (the white writing room, but the white schriebtisch). Well, well, time goes. I must write no more here, but to my dear mother. Tomorrow, give us a schionen tag, for swimming I will go.
Wednesday, December 28, 2005
Tuesday, December 27, 2005
Resembling Chinese But Speaking English
A brisk walk in the clean, fresh, rainwashed air. I discovered the Nianabad [edit: not sure if this is correct], but it had already got late and I decided to set down to a hit of work and wait until I had bought cheap tickets from the Studentenklub. The afternoon was spent from 2 in conversation, from 4-6 in the Germankuns [edit: ?] We learnt busily grammar, and afterwards read and finished the first chapter from Bindiupes, Unversauslide, Evinnarmy. [edit: no idea whether any of these are correct].
After going home and eating a good supper, changed, washed and back up to the Klub. The next few hours from 9pm - 2am were spent in the raucous atmosphere. There was dancing, a theaterpiece and more dancing, beer drinking to which Dora and I were unwilling required by our friend to imbibe, but being thirsty it did not matter.
There were more people in the club than I have ever seen and many were strange faces; in one corner sat three men from America. But each as different from one another as it is possible to differ. One came from South America, dark - black hair, dark skin, brown eyes, diffrent from the Spanish Paraguayans. Another from North America, fair and English looking and speaking English. The third, a Hawaiian, resembling Chinese but speaking English. There were a party of Bulgarians, a jolly crowd. But after a time, the noise because unpleasant; the jollity of the earlier part of the evening returned towards 2am where the room began to clear and there was place to dance, but such music - blaring jazz from a dreadful resounding loud speaker.
Arriving home about 2:15, I had, to my shame and displeasure, arouse the portier from her sweet and pleasant dreams (or perhaps they weren't - judging by her expression) and it cost me 50pf into the bargain. However, I gave it gladly. Then came a few minutes fumbling in the dark and then - sleep.
After going home and eating a good supper, changed, washed and back up to the Klub. The next few hours from 9pm - 2am were spent in the raucous atmosphere. There was dancing, a theaterpiece and more dancing, beer drinking to which Dora and I were unwilling required by our friend to imbibe, but being thirsty it did not matter.
There were more people in the club than I have ever seen and many were strange faces; in one corner sat three men from America. But each as different from one another as it is possible to differ. One came from South America, dark - black hair, dark skin, brown eyes, diffrent from the Spanish Paraguayans. Another from North America, fair and English looking and speaking English. The third, a Hawaiian, resembling Chinese but speaking English. There were a party of Bulgarians, a jolly crowd. But after a time, the noise because unpleasant; the jollity of the earlier part of the evening returned towards 2am where the room began to clear and there was place to dance, but such music - blaring jazz from a dreadful resounding loud speaker.
Arriving home about 2:15, I had, to my shame and displeasure, arouse the portier from her sweet and pleasant dreams (or perhaps they weren't - judging by her expression) and it cost me 50pf into the bargain. However, I gave it gladly. Then came a few minutes fumbling in the dark and then - sleep.
24. Mai
Ah, cold water is good on a sunny morning. God be thanked the weather is clearing up and at the weekend - wir fahren in die Wachau (?) [edit: we drive into the Wachau]. I think I shall never be able to rise at half 7. My room companions were already dressed as I woke up. I had indeed heard the stirring call of Frau Dr. Schmidt, but went promptly to sleep again. I came down half an hour later. The rooms were being turned out and I joyfully breakfasted on bread and coffee in the kitchen. How the sun shines - and the sky is blue. I have written a letter and will hasten forth and test the heat of the air. Perhaps it will not be too cold for a much longed for swim... (9.5 Uhr) [edit: half past 9]
Locked Out
The rain poured steadily down in sheets - I ran along the other side and reached cover, and as the rain eased a little, hurried the rest of the way home. Home. A jolly home.
Mina was in the kitchen and had saved me a good supper - a hot wurst und bratkartoffeln.
I went up to bed. Unfortunately, no key was to be found. For 10 minutes, I and another girl were apparently locked out. We knocked and rang and at least some kind person let us in.
Mina was in the kitchen and had saved me a good supper - a hot wurst und bratkartoffeln.
I went up to bed. Unfortunately, no key was to be found. For 10 minutes, I and another girl were apparently locked out. We knocked and rang and at least some kind person let us in.
Saturday, December 03, 2005
Damned Be The Jazz
23. Mai. 39
Life flows steadily on. Rain pours heavily, increasingly downwards. Chilly and unlike summer, I spend the morning in the charming little writing room, next to the music room. It is peaceful and pleasant, as the children are all at school. I write up my diary, learn a poem from Goethe. Soon after one, the house begins to stir up a bit, the children are home, and at half 2, we ate lunch. The food is very good. Soup, a meat course with what obtainable vegetables are to be bought, and afterwards a nachtisch [edit: dessert]. Today we had thick soup ... of beans. Afterwards came fish with sauce and potatoes - and to end up with, we had mehlspeise with cream and sugar.
Soon after lunch I rallied forth. It was not attractive outside - and I went into a shop + bought the ever needed Briefpapier for 1.25M, some postcards showing some views of the I-District, in which many delightful corners are to be found; old winding narrow streets and crooked steps running and climbing between the houses; and such poor poor people did I see eating some obnoxious stuff with their fingers out of tins.
Soon after 4 I went into the club, as I had promised to meet Dora there that we might go together to the Hungarian Tanzabend (which actually began at 8pm and would possibly continue until 5 the next morning) however, left at 9. Dora was not there; but after waiting sometime we met and collected a party. We were together 2 Bulgarian girls, 2 men, 1 Hungarian and myself. And how they dance, and the ... music and the songs. So heartrending - real musik. Damned be the jazz blaring from records in the next room. We danced wild Hungarian dances and I danced too for all I was worth. But such dances are not for the large feet of the English.
We danced Wiener waltz to gramaphone records, foxtrot and all. We drank wine and ate sandwiches (rolls cut in half, with tasty bits - eggs, fish, cheese, garlic etc laid on them). By nine however, I was satisfied that I had seen and learnt enough, I left the party to continue it's wild musik. They are a different people, the Bulgarians/Hungarians. Romantik, hardworking, with charming natural manners. The women are small, with small hands and feet, large eyes and long laughs, often very attractive. The men equally attractive, thought taller than the women. I left feeling I had certainly learnt something.
Life flows steadily on. Rain pours heavily, increasingly downwards. Chilly and unlike summer, I spend the morning in the charming little writing room, next to the music room. It is peaceful and pleasant, as the children are all at school. I write up my diary, learn a poem from Goethe. Soon after one, the house begins to stir up a bit, the children are home, and at half 2, we ate lunch. The food is very good. Soup, a meat course with what obtainable vegetables are to be bought, and afterwards a nachtisch [edit: dessert]. Today we had thick soup ... of beans. Afterwards came fish with sauce and potatoes - and to end up with, we had mehlspeise with cream and sugar.
Soon after lunch I rallied forth. It was not attractive outside - and I went into a shop + bought the ever needed Briefpapier for 1.25M, some postcards showing some views of the I-District, in which many delightful corners are to be found; old winding narrow streets and crooked steps running and climbing between the houses; and such poor poor people did I see eating some obnoxious stuff with their fingers out of tins.
Soon after 4 I went into the club, as I had promised to meet Dora there that we might go together to the Hungarian Tanzabend (which actually began at 8pm and would possibly continue until 5 the next morning) however, left at 9. Dora was not there; but after waiting sometime we met and collected a party. We were together 2 Bulgarian girls, 2 men, 1 Hungarian and myself. And how they dance, and the ... music and the songs. So heartrending - real musik. Damned be the jazz blaring from records in the next room. We danced wild Hungarian dances and I danced too for all I was worth. But such dances are not for the large feet of the English.
We danced Wiener waltz to gramaphone records, foxtrot and all. We drank wine and ate sandwiches (rolls cut in half, with tasty bits - eggs, fish, cheese, garlic etc laid on them). By nine however, I was satisfied that I had seen and learnt enough, I left the party to continue it's wild musik. They are a different people, the Bulgarians/Hungarians. Romantik, hardworking, with charming natural manners. The women are small, with small hands and feet, large eyes and long laughs, often very attractive. The men equally attractive, thought taller than the women. I left feeling I had certainly learnt something.
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