Alice Ebostarkova Masters

June 1939

    For the first time in our life, Father cried.  He cried loud and it was difficult to leave, but we have to.  At the train station, it was crowded with parents and children.  Mother wouldn’t let Ellie go.  They’re attached to each other.  How could you blame her?  Ellie’s only 10.  Mother put Ellie on the train, and she pick her off.  She put Ellie on the train again, and pick Ellie off again.  She finally decide to put Ellie on the train at the last minute, and we wave good-bye.  Parents, children, and babies were crying as the train start to move.  There were hundreds of children on the train, each with bags of clothing.  Everywhere you turn, you see people crying.  It was very emotional.  Some kids got on the train by themselves, and some, as little as Ellie, have babies with them.  We were lucky to have each other, me, Josephine, and Ellie.  I notice some Czech men, in their 20s standing beside the doors of the train.  They must have volunteers to accompany us.  Some kids are already missing their parents and wanting to go home.  I tried to brave, and  looked out the window.  I don’t know what’s going to happen next.  I don’t want to be afraid, but I am.  Out from the window, I see beautiful landscapes.  It was different than where we live.  This one’s fascinating and wide.  I wanted to go run around and play.  It put me at ease looking at the countryside.  I dream of how London will be like, and seeing Uncle Hine.  I love my uncle, he is the best uncle I could ever have.  He’s funny and he played with me a lot when he visit.  A voice startled me.  It belongs to a Czech man, he asked if we were free, and we said yes.  He asked us to look after a baby, and we accepted.  I didn’t know if the baby is a girl, or a boy.  I think it’s a girl, but I don’t know.  I notice the same Czech man again, going around asking kids to look after babies for other children.  I think it’s because the children with babies could not look after the babies by themselves.  Eva join us.  She’s the same age as Ellie.  I think she’s the daughter of my uncle’s friend.  She’s nice, and a little shy.  I’m a little shy too.  We were on the train for several days.  The food was not as great and wonderful as you would think it would be.  Mother’s cooking is way better.  I often pretend that I was eating Mother’s special soup or one of her heart-warming breads, because then, I eat it all.  Josephine, my older sister, seem to have no problem.  Ellie tried to eat, because she know she have to.  When night fall, we all slept together.  It’s warm and comfy, just like at home.  It’s fun being far away from home.  Sometimes I feel homesick, but I have my sisters to comfort me.  We played games of hide-and-seeks, and tic-tac-toes.  When we came in Holland, it was very exciting and frightening.  It was a different feeling when we first left.  The Dutch authorities told us not to get off the train.  What is that suppose to mean?  Did they not want us?  I think it’s because they did not want so many refugees getting off at the same time.  That would be pretty crowded, and troublesome.  People came by the railways and hand us hot chocolates, chocolate bars, and cookies.  I feel grateful that they did this for us.  My heart was fill with joy, but I still hate the Dutch authorities for not letting us off the train.  We’ve been on the train for many days, and we tried of sitting down all the time.  Letting us go for a little walk would be nice, but that’s not happening.  Then, we came across an inspection.  German soldier got on the train, and went through our luggage.  How rude of them to do that?  After that they got off the train, and we were out of Germany.  Everyone cheers loud.  Now, we are free.