Page 44

Willi is about 22 here

Montreux / decision to emigrate

Wanderlust wins out over the Alps: Willi resolves to emigrate to Australia, trains in hairdressing, and visits home a last time

Diary page 44

Translated from Willi's German.

In winter there is no snow down below, but half an hour up by rail we find there everything winter sport could ask for: snow, ice, a bob run, and so on. And when you let your eye roam - below lies the blue lake with its houses, gardens and meadows; a little higher, the snow begins, white right up to the highest peaks; and then comes spring, with its flowers set against the eternally white mountains. In spite of all this splendour, a longing for foreign lands ruled my soul, and so I managed to find a position in Australia. I put my papers in order in Lausanne, went to Zurich and trained myself in permanent-waving with Herr Dinger, and then went home for eight days. It was a really lovely time; I met Paul and other comrades, but I no longer fitted in with them. My parents are ever loyalty itself. Father seemed to me in better health than before, while Mother, on the other hand, has grown older. My brothers, as far as I saw, were well - Adolf, Friedrich and the dear little Bernhard. Alfons was in Berlin, and Theodor in America. Aunt Hassler and Auntie are ever the same, each in her own way.

People: Willi Distel, Herr Dinger, Paul, Adolf Distel, Friedrich Distel, Bernhard Distel, Alfons Distel, Theodor Distel, Tante Haessler

Places: Montreux, Lake Geneva, Lausanne, Zurich, Villingen, Australia, Berlin, America

Interesting facts