It is 6:PM and we have just arrived in St. Petersburg. We retrieved our bags and went through customs, which was only a stamping of our papers. Right outside customs was a woman with a sign "Goldbark." That was us and we met our translator Yelena. She spoke beautiful English that she had learned at the university.
The Grand Europa Hotel was lovely. As happens often our room was upgraded to a very nice suite and the hotel was far superior to what we expected. A small unpacking, a dinner in the hotel of onion soup and very good ham and egg crepes were perfect.
Thursday, April 13, 1995
The hotel had a wonderful buffet breakfast and then we went to the lobby to meet our cousin Julia Ballo. She was very petite, very excited and adorable. Julia was so thrilled we were here and was so excited she said she had not slept for two nights. Thank goodness we had our translator with us as Julia speaks no English and we of course, speak no Russian.
We told her if she can learn English we would bring her to visit in the states. We may have to bring Yelena with her. Julia remembers every detail in the book and every word we have ever written to her in our letters. She is charming and very bright. She was a physicist but is now retired by mandate. Julia would rather still be working. We went to our mini bus and started to tour St. Petersburg. (Tour comments edited out)
We are enchanted by Julia. She is so happy that we are here that it makes us feel wonderful. It is very sad that we only discovered this part of our family over the past two yeras. Julia insists that we visit her home tomorrow and of course we will. I feel as if we have done a wonderful thing by coming here to see Julia. Seeing this city and the living conditions here makes me feel that we owe a great deal to our grandparents who went through the struggles of immigration. We too could be living the life here on the monthly average income of $25.00.
We arrived at Julia's apartment at 3:PM. She lives in a large square building that is a cooperative and considered very nice. It is in a pleasant area. Julia is now retired and on a pension. She had a friend, Inge, over to join us and she was delightful. Inge's mother and Julia's mother, Leah, had been very close friends. Julia worked very hard for our visit.
Her apartment consists of a kitchen, living room/bedroom/dining room combination, and a bathroom. The first thing she did when we arrived was to sit us down and give us gifts. (Just as Miriam had told us everyone would do). An electric Samovar for Alan and me, an Amber pin and Jade pin for Sara and Kristina, a male nesting doll for Zachary, a stone candle holder and Troika pin. Each gift had been given much thought and we were thrilled.
The meal Julia made had so much effort put into it: Homemade Blinis and Red caviar, (my favorite Russian food), Ham, Chicken, Salmon and Salmon salad, fresh salad, Lettuce with Cheese and Cabbage Rolls. Dessert was Cookies, sliced Oranges and jam that you eat while you drink your tea. (Che in Russian). We stayed several hours and she didn't want us to leave. Julia is very special. She always knew she had family in America and is only sorry her Mother did not know that the family finally contacted her. They had been waiting for twenty years to hear from us. What a pity that her Mother and my Father never knew one another. We hope to bring Julia and Yelena to America for a visit in September. We could not leave here without her knowing we would see each other again....a wonderful day.
Saturday, April 15, 1995
Our last day in Russia. We met Julia and Yelena in the lobby at 11:AM. Julia was very sad we were leaving but we kept telling her she would be visiting us soon. We feel very lucky to have found her. As she remembers every detail in the book and in all my letters, I think she knows our family better than we do. She was wonderful, and our lives will be enriched by knowing her. What she wants to do most at our house, besides seeing the children, is to go in our pool. We hope to see Julia and Yelena in September.
