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.

Mus

Mus is a home for school children. There are fifteen children here of all ages up to 17. They attend various schools, Volksschule, Mittelschule, Hochschule and Handelschule. There is also a Danish girl here. The children are watched over by an Erzieherin, an excellent person. I sleep in a room with 2 German girls who attend Handelschule. As yet, we don't know each other very well, as they are always in bed before I am & in the morning they have lessons and must leave early.

I am very contented with everything, only one thing disturbs me, that is, I must always go through the children's room at night to get to my bed; the door has an unpleasant habit of sticking. One pushes + heaves + it bursts open with a shattering bang + wakes up the whole house. Then I must grope about in the dark and there is sure to be something in the way to fall over. Lastly, concerns my bedroom slippers; unfortunately they also have an unpleasant habit of getting at the back of my cupboard where I don't easily find them + must go sometimes barefooted on the cold stone floor of the bathrooms. The result is one side of me is cold + the other warm in bed.

Was mene Leben (May 20th 1939)

On Saturday the 20th of May, das mene Leben (edit: sp?) began. I call it the new life for so it was for me after several weeks of inner disturbance and restlessness of soul. My surroundings were changed from the life in a German family to that of a German Schulerheim. How this happened? It was entirely my doing - after sleepless nights and many unhappy hours, I made the decision. But that was a sad story and better to be forgotten. Now everything is peace again and life flows, bringing with it many new interests.

On Friday I spent the loneliest day + I think that the unhappiest of my life alone at home, in the HorianigaBe at home, though no longer at home. There was little left for me to eat, and I longed for some fruit and searched up, down to find a fruit shop. Nothing, nothing at all but figs + dates + O joy, lemons. I bought some, and with the addition of sugar, made me a fruit salad. This made a good meal with a first course of bread and cheese!

In the morning, I had dealt with the police and the post office etc - i.e. I had announced my intention to change my address. I bought flowers and decorated the rooms. In the afternoon I packed, and then waited the return of the family. I could not work. It was hot and I was restless for the next day.