HEARTACHE TO LEAVE OUR FAMILIES BEHIND!
The Past!
Now where did I leave us last! Ah, that's right, we had just left Riga, Latvija for Kiev, Ukraine and still within the constraints of the Soviet Union.
All of us in the group were heartbroken at having to leave our families behind knowing full well under what conditions they had to live. How they survived I will never know personally, other than to say my respect for those who survive any occupation are incredible people, including all my family who lived during that time in Latvija. You are one strong wonderful people.
We arrived in Kiev to what is as I stated before a most beautiful looking city. It was so picturesque even for the Cold War years in it's shabby state and had the look of magnificence. None of us was really in the mood to appreciate it and went to lick our wounds at our losses in our respective hotel rooms.
The next day we were taken to all sorts of sights and one stands out for me till this day. The Catacombs that are also described as caves. It was the burial site for the monks as well as a labyrinth of tunnels like honeycomb. I am sure we were only shown a small portion but these monks lived down there through troubled times and I remember seeing such rooms carved out where monks would live and die and were still there for us to witness their mummafied remains that stayed within the only living space they knew during life and then in death as we walked through. I didn't feel claustrophobic then, but I would now I am sure. I believe the church was above on the side of a hill that the monks built in the eleventh century and out of the caves these tunnels were created over the centuries.
I traveled overseas years later to Europe and did go into the Catacombs in Rome off Appian Way and I can safely say that the Kiev Catacombs are an impressive sight and far more extensive and truly show you how it was. Historically though both were fascinating.
Being that I was still missing all my new found family back in Latvija it was ironic that we got to walk through these tunnels and see dead bodies and skeletons and all that where they lived to avoid persecution. If only my family had some safe haven as well. It was sort of calming and made one realise how short life can be. It was within these walls deep in the earth the I decided I would one day visit again and hopefully see Independence for these wonderful countries through no fault of their own were occupied be free again.
After walking through the Catacombs that seemed like a lifetime we came out at a completely different spot and if I remember correctly after a steep incline to a most breathtaking view of the Dnieper River. It was majestic. Kiev was many centuries older than Riga and I could see why one would have settled in this very spot. It had everything. There were statues and other places that are now but a blur to me due to missing those I had just left behind. We may as well have been on the Moon for all we took notice.
That night we did attend a performance of the Ukraine/Kiev Ballet on Ice. I had never seen anything like it and was in awe. Cold yes, but amazed absolutely.
I am sad that my memories of Kiev were not profound as it was such a beautiful city with so much history to explore. But you cannot help how things affect our heart and my heart was very sad at that time.
From Kiev we went back to Moscow which was a transit point only this time. The customs guys decided to give us the Gold treatment and went through all our luggage once more. And no they never asked where those fishing poles were.
Our next destination was Tokyo, Japan. Wow. So glad this place was on our itinerary.
For my entire stay I felt like a giant with so many tiny people around me and when I say many there were MANY at all times where ever you went.
I just loved my time in Japan. What a fascinating place. Their traditions and food and style was such a breathe of fresh air.
We got to visit the Emperors Imperial Temple and Garden. These tours are reserved well in advance and just captivating and well worthwhile participating. We also got to go to the Sensoji Temple, which is Tokyo's oldest and most famous Buddhist Temple. Not much makes me speechless, but this did.
I went to explore the nearest underground railway station and it was like an underground city with wide walkways with, again, masses of people coming and going. All very busy with a purpose. I felt like I towered over these guys and now knew what it felt like to be tall. All of a sudden I envied those at concerts to see the stage. Anyway, the subway was many levels with shops selling anything to everything, but not much in my size for my feet or clothing and plenty of food shops, cafes and restaurants. These guys were spoilt for choice. You didn't really need to speak the language as these clever guys had it all laid out with pictures on their shop windows and all you had to do was point to what you wanted. How easy is that. I loved these guys. My kind of town. The hustle and bustle was envigorating and you just wanted to get in and start doing something yourself. Very frenetic energy and a thriving mini city under a large city. I sat and ate and just people watched. All very friendly with a smile and a nod of the head. Again, I just fell in love with these guys.
On our first night and busy day Mum got two tiny little ladies to come and give us a massage in our hotel room. How decadent I thought.
What massage, they were walking all over us. Far out! I couldn't take it no matter how little they were they were freakin' strong and nearly thumped the living daylights out of me. Mum loved it. Me not so much. But they knew what they were doing. Wish I had that now as my bones need it more now. I couldn't fully appreciate it back then as it really wasn't a relaxation massage. Thankfully, I recovered enough to set off into the environs of the Japanese countryside the next day and we had to be up very early.
We went by bus to some hot springs in Hakone. I say this as I would have liked to experience the 'Bullet', but never got the chance to. Once at our destination there was this constant gas was coming through the ground all over the place from this one particular area we were taken by aerial chair lift, which didn't inspire confidence in me at all, but up we went to see all the hot spring action. As I hung on to dear life I just kept thinking, please no earthquakes while I am here. This is not where I want to die. Well, my wish was granted for I am still here.
Not sure of the sequence, but before this wonderful experience with all sorts spurting out of the ground we traveled by large boat to get there. It was at this point I was getting very much over being in the same clothes over and over and over like a groundhog day again and again. Mum was taking film of all the sights and there was no sound just film and she is taking in Lake Hakone and it's surrounds and we even got to see in the distance a snow tipped Mount Fuji and that is the closest we got to Mount Fuji. Anyway, here is Mum enthusiastically filming the scenery to then turn on to me who was leaning on the railway of the back part of the boat in complete misery over my dilemma. To say my reaction was irrate would be correct. My lovely parents transferred that little piece to VHS later on for perpetuity. I would hate for anyone who could lip read what I said. Pissed off I was and in no mood to be filmed by a 'happy' person even if it was my Mum and just so happened to be in the most beautiful and serene place. Yes, place = serene. But me, irritable = one big yes and no matter the serenity and beauty of my surrounds of Lake Hakone could offer had little effect to be of help.
Fortunately, my bad mood did not last long. We visited a Buddhist Statue at Kamakura, which was one of the larger outdoor seated Big Buddha's (1252AD) and this was constructed not long after Riga was founded. It was here that I got to see what Buddhism was all about and started to calm down about my luggage that seemed to be well and truly lost and gone forever so may as well accept it. I liked the philosophy and outlook. Much of which I take on board in my daily life now. The people and their belief system hit my soul firmly and permanently. They were kindred spirits.
I would never have thought to go to Japan had it not been for this being a stopover included in this tour package. It was meant to be and one day plan to travel more throughout this land with these very special people. Funny how things out of the blue can be the ones that have the greatest impact unexpectedly. There was much to walk amongst and see and take in and thankfully it clicked as it helped calm me down. I think the rest of the group was grateful also. Ah, I know so.
We got our second phone call from the boys back home who were holding the fort and keeping the home from ruin. So good to hear Garry's voice. Just wanted to get home and hug him. We still had Hong Kong to experience, but now I was eager to get home to my man.
We said our farewells to Japan and flew to Hong Kong, which turned out to be a contrast to all else yet again. This is the value in travel. To see, smell, taste and feel experiences you have never had before. Also, generally, people worldwide are happy and helpful. Yes, there are the odd crooks, thieves and thugs, but overall thankfully more of the happy helpful ones out way the negative factor.
Hong Kong. Loud and proud. Hot and sweaty and sticky. All the washing is hanging out of each window high rise on bamboo sticks for all to see literally. High rise with bamboo scaffolding. Who would have thought such a thing. All the harbour full of 'Junks' with people trading and dealing and business going on over the water. Ferries coming and going from the Mainland and Hong Kong Island. It was busier with more people in one square foot than Japan was. I wouldn't have believed it. But here we were rubbing shoulders with tons of locals and tourists making our way through to our intended places.
The shopping centers where over the top. I had long since given up on buying clothes to wear as I was on the home stretch home now and no point any longer. I had lasted this long a few more days wouldn't make much difference.
The old street markets were something from another world and far better than the Singapore ones for atmosphere. They were in wider streets in Singapore and the buildings not so tall. Whereas, here in Hong Kong the streets were narrow with the pathway winding through with buildings that felt like they enveloped you from over your head. They really traded from the street floor. The vendors cooking and chopping up fish there on the spot had me mesmerised.
We had this lunch all together that was delicious. We bargained our little hearts out for this and that to get last minute gifts for all at home.
We went up this lift that was all glass at night time on the outside of this building to go up and see all of Hong Kong Harbour and the twinkling lights and lanterns on the water and city-scape. Magical. This was all prior to Hong Kong having a nightly fireworks from the tops of their tall city building. Now that would have been something I would love to see. Maybe one day in the future as a stopover on the way back home!
We traveled through the new constructed tunnel that led between the mainland and island on the way back, but we made our way there by ferry and got to climb these steep stairs. How all my oldish group got through in all the oppressive mugginess is amazing. I helped some with their stuff and went back several times to get the few stragglers to join us. Hong Kong Island is for the rich and shouted out 'we have loads of money' where ever you looked. There was this quaint beach surrounded by cliffs and had some sort of special meaning that I have long have forgotten, but I can still see it in my mind. Fairly certain it was Repulse Bay, but not absolutely sure.
We shopped till we dropped. We ate and laughed and knew that our time was coming to an end. Contact numbers and addressed were exchanged. Promises of visits to come between us in Australia were made. These friendships held tight forever.
By this stage Mum had filled my empty suitcase that I had bought in Singapore to the max. I don't know what we would have done had I still had my luggage in hindsight. Things happen for a reason I suppose.
Through this trip, I got to be closer to my Mum and a little closer to my Grandmum (or so I thought with Grandmum in mind). I was now armed with knowledge of the family history and at that moment the only daughter who had. It turned out that I was to be the only one who ever traveled to the homeland and to get to know the family and such valuable ancestral history.
It was time to say goodbye to Hong Kong and all it's unashamed glory and ceremony. They loved life and life loved them.
I was tired on my last leg home and sadly had to join the group in economy. First class is something else and now just a distant memory. Somehow I managed some sleep before we entered Australia.
Back then the quarantine people insisted that all planes upon entering Australia had to be sprayed with some sort of concoction. Once we landed the quarantine guys would walk slowly down the aisles with a spray can and masks on whilst spraying. It was so sci-fi and laughable that I was literally in hysterics trying to cover my mouth and eyes when they passed by me. Don't think this is done any longer, but good grief Australia, what were you thinking back then?
Yes, I know to keep Australia pest free and fat lot of good that did. Cane toads about along with foxes, rabbits, camels and all the other introduced animals and floral that was brought in by well intentioned, but not reasoned thought out ideas.
People from other western countries I could hear commenting that we must be a backward country. Unfortunately, I could see why they would assume that.
Getting through the doors after clearing customs and finally seeing Dad, Granddad and there was my Garry waiting for us. What a sight for my sore eyes - still stinging from the quarantine spray! Garry may have thought I had tears in my eyes at seeing him... well they were... I was happy.
Mum and Grandmum travelled back home with Dad and Granddad, whereas I went with Garry of course in his then blue EH Holden Panel Van that we both had worked on together. More him, but I helped. The first song I heard on the radio as we pulled out from Tullamarine Airport was this new song called 'S-S-Single Bed' and the other was 'I Want Your Money'. Both very weird. So much that was on radio had changed in those few weeks. So much news that I had not heard. I had been in a total time warp. You get no foreign news whilst in the USSR that was for sure.
I was jumping for joy that I was back with Garry and once we got home we were surprised by a spread layed out for us all by our men folk who had missed us just as much.
We were home, even though we had left home. I now had the dilemma of 2 homes in my heart. One that I would have to come to terms with in time.
You may be wondering what happened to my luggage.
Well, it had it's own little voyage. The suitcase had all our itinerary for all to see on it. No missing that one you would think would have been impossible. Ah, the airline ground staff back then had other ideas. Instead of going to Sydney then Singapore it flew to London Heathrow Airport where it stayed for 6 months until some clever chappy saw the address and itinerary details, which were large as life and finally came back to me 9 months after I had returned home!
We did get compensation and the gifts for our relatives that were in there had a huge hefty cost involved to send to them, as in duty and all sorts of charges, which the original Airline incurred and also gave us a small inconvenience payment, which for some reason Mum kept. I mean, yes I did have to wear some of her underwear, but I am pretty sure it was me that was the most inconvenienced in the end for the duration of the entire trip. But Mum organised the whole deal so who was I to complain.
Opening the suitcase almost a year on (10 months in all) was like opening a treasure trove. The fun I had rediscovering my clothes, especially my jeans.
I felt like I could breathe here in Australia. I knew here I could talk about any topic without fear. I could have an opinion that was against the government and still walk freely. At that time there had been many protest marches about wars, wages and rights. None of that was possible in the Soviet Union. We had an abundance of food. We had a choice of shoes and clothing. We had music of all kinds. We had newspapers that could write freely. We could travel overseas if we could afford to. We had books that dated pre-war years and read them. We could practice religion out in the open. And I could go on and on about what was so good about where I lived.
We were lucky.
It was good to be home.
Just wished we weren't separated from my family in Latvija.
This is where I end with this particular chapter of this part of our story.
Will start on Mum's life as a child in Latvija next and then onto her fleeing Latvija and her war year's experiences.
All will be revealed.
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