Ella Buuck's wartime diary: View pages
Bobby had a terrible cold and both he and I slept very little last night. Dr. Lang ((Was he in Stanley?)) gave him medicine and I do hope he will soon be smiling again.
We packed some, as we expect to arrive at Africa tomorrow.
((They were heading for the port of Lourenço Marques in Mozambique, then under Portuguese rule. After independence, the city was renamed 'Maputo'.))
What an exciting day!
First of all we arrived near our destination at about 9 am. The shore line was beautiful.
After long anxious waiting we saw the ship which is to take us back. The biggest thrill of all was seeing the freighter with the American flag. We all cheered and most cried for excitement.
Finally our ship slowly pulled in front of the Gripsholm! The Conte Verde pulled into the space behind the Gripsholm. After quite some waiting (about 3pm) we saw American mail come aboard. I just couldn’t take time to run down to the cabin to tell Lorenz but instead, I stood in the queue to see if we had letters. We did, so I hurried right down to the cabin only to find that Lorenz had also heard and was gone to find it. Finally he came and we opened our letters from Dr. Brand ((Director of Missions for the Lutheran Church, Missouri Synod, and their boss.)) Lorenz feels so relieved to have heard. Everything is already arranged for us at New York.
It’s most exciting. During the afternoon we watched activity on the street. The natives are a strange lot, black and shiny, all in tattered clothing. Their teeth shining, really most interesting.
While we were sitting on deck chairs we heard cheering and laughing. Getting up to see, we found that Lenny’s red wagon was the attraction. The baggage was being transferred and one black boy was pulling it along, smiling merrily.
The next excitement came just before supper when Mr. Pomeranke told me that some of our Mission folks were at the gangplank to see us. I ran all the way down the aisle and down steps etc. to get there, and there stood Rev. and Mrs. Klein. They told us that all the Kleins, Zimmermanns and Thodes are on board. What a gang of us going home! 30 in all. How thankful we are that all of them are safe. We shall have a lot to talk about.
We eat early and the exchange begins at 9 tomorrow. That will be still more fun. Then we hope to be able to go on shore after that.
Bobby’s cold is making him miserable. It’s loose but stuffs his head and he has 103 fever again. I do hope it will soon clear up.
Today started very early, 5:30 for me. Breakfast was early and we were to be all set at 9 o'clock for the exchange. After 23 days we were again to move to different quarters.
Right on the appointed time we were left off the gangplank to go over to the Gripsholm. Arriving there we were directed to the upper deck and told to sit down, that no cabins were to be assigned until evening as they had to clean the room. First the Japs were taken off the lower decks, and turned over to their ship. We found chairs and sat down and talked to the Kleins, Zimmermanns and Thodes.
At noon we discovered that we were to be served a buffet lunch on long tables out on deck and we shall never forget the grand sight. The big plates of cold turkey, ham, salami, pressed ham, cheese, etc. with olives, pickles and fruits. Really, we couldn’t believe it. Were we really seeing such good foods again? They had the best bread. Oh how we did eat!
Then Lorenz went downtown and later he took care of Bobby and I went with Mrs. Ziegler to do some shopping. I had to be sure to get Elaine a birthday present and Bobby just had to have a toy, the first since the war started. Leonard of course had to have stamps from here.
Then at 7:30 we had supper, right after that we heard we had cabin 317. Rev. Klein had asked as he stood in the queue early and so we did not need to stand in line for hours as did 1000 others. Many never got their cabin assigned until 2:30 or 3 am. We were happy as could be to have a 4 bunk cabin and all be together.
I was so dead tired and went to bed early. Lorenz walked downtown with Kleins and had ice cream.
Up early and we unpacked and found all our baggage today.
This afternoon we had a very pleasant time. Took a bus to the zoo. Met Thodes on the same bus and so had a nice time. The park was most interesting. The trees were so tropical, the fine sandy paths, the crisp air, the rustling of the leaves, all in all it was an afternoon we shall always remember. The children enjoyed it much, too.
We took a taxi back to the ship; saw the native women carrying heavy burdens on their heads. It’s fun to handle the local money, 25 Escutas to U.S. Dollar.
Many people didn’t get settled properly so they are lining up again this evening. It is a mess to get 1550 people settled in this high big floating hotel. One can get lost and it takes ages to get located again.
The beauty parlor is huge. I’ve made an appointment for Monday.
The cost of pressing laundry etc. is terrific. I don’t intend to have things done.
Yesterday a noted lady took all the American children on a picnic - 99 of them - gave them all a grand treat.
Bobby feels much better but gets hopeless crabby spells.
Later—what a night followed after the above. Lorenz came and said we were to move. Everybody had to move. We made a grand improvement but 95% of the others were disappointed. Husbands and wives were separated etc. Really all a mad scramble. Many folks again had no bed.
This morning I was busy getting settled in our new cabin.
After dinner and rest Leonard and I went downtown. I bought a birthday cake for Elaine. Then I also went to the place where they gave out clothing for the Hong Kong folks which had been collected by Mrs. Preston of the local U.S. Consul. The children received some things and I a nice dress.
We all went to town this a.m. and I was lucky enough to find a pair of white shoes. All passes had to be turned in at 1 o’clock and no more shore leave after that. We were told that we would sail at 7 a.m.
After supper we sat and talked to the Thodes.
We did pull anchor at 7 but only left the wharf and actually sailed at 2:30 this afternoon.
A grand day, sunny and cold. The meals are fine and it’s fun to have a nice cabin. I have been resting and reading a lot. The children are getting acquainted with the ship, too, by this time.
I had the pleasure of buying a dress in the shop today. The children are having plenty candy, their friends give them money.
After a good breakfast, I did the family wash, also ironed what I had to do, then went up on deck into the sunshine. The weather was perfect. The meals are very good and surely I’ll gain back some weight. Leonard has been going for a swim every day.
Today is Grandpa Buuck’s birthday.
We had private communion service this a.m. in Thode’s cabin and children’s service this p.m.
There is a movie this evening but I don’t like them and it’s so cold everybody is shivering. It’s 43 out on aft deck. And do we ever dip up and down! Many are sick, we are still doing all right but Lenny complains at times and my head gets heavy as lead at times.
Another rough and cold day.
Lorenz is busy writing up his report on the past 8 months. Also we must get mail ready for Rio as we hope to go ashore there.
We sat out on aft deck last night after the children were asleep. We found a warm corner and after covering with the robe were quite warm.
The rough weather continues. This will no doubt delay us and we may not reach Rio by Saturday.
I called on Mrs. Thode this a.m. She just doesn’t get up during these rough days.
Rev. Klein simply stays on deck.
Walter’s birthday. I wonder where he might be.
The weather is finally getting better and better and calmer. This evening Mrs. Ziegler and Rev. Thode had a visit and beer with us.
There are many toys and plenty youngsters there. We were told there are 150 below 13 years of age.
This evening we saw a good movie about a pastor’s family in Iowa.
The weather is getting warmer every day, also it’s very calm. The sunset was beautiful.
There was a concert this evening, given by “Asama” passengers. It was very good. One of the world’s best piano players played several pieces. Also special songs by the Brazilian folks.
Grand sunny day, beautiful sunset and smooth going. We are to arrive in Rio Monday a.m. Have a shore leave and stay about 2 days.