BLog
Before embarking on this journey south that my father travelled, he escaped from an Austrian farm where he was forced to labor for the Germans. Following that escape, he travelled north through the Slovakian mountains back to Poland. Along the way, he and a Ukraine named Michal were often provided food and shelter from the locals. That Slovakian hospitality still exists today, as evidenced from my airbnb hostess Zuzana. Dad and Artur managed to take the train for much of their travel south of Kosice. They would exit before the border and slip across the to catch a train past the border. Today the police enter at these towns to check your passport on the train: a much more relaxed checkpoint to be sure. This photo was taken from a dining car just before reaching Cluj, which before the War was on the Hungarian border next to Romania. Dad and Artur arrived here early in the morning, confident in their quest to reach Italy by way of Palestine,
8 Comments
Julie
7/5/2015 04:55:47 am
Your journey is taking you and Michal to some very interesting places. You seem to be encountering some very hospitable people. I'm sure you are getting a good insight into Dad and Artur's experiences!
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Deb
7/5/2015 06:17:53 am
Where were your grandparents when your dad left Poland?
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Andrew Bajda
7/5/2015 09:00:23 am
Hi Deb, after the family travelled back to their home in 1940, there were many changes. The youngest sibling Stanislaus did not survive the harsh conditions as refugees and died shortly after their return. The oldest sibling was sent away to work in the Sudetenland and later Austria. Dads older brother Stephens whereabouts were unknown, but he lived his own amazing adventure and plays a key part in the story. So dads 3 younger siblings lived in the home with my grandparents and great grandfather. My dad turned 16 so had to labor for the Germans. First near their home, later in Austria,
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Deb
7/5/2015 10:34:04 am
Hope you don't get tired of my questions, but I have another! What did your dad and his friend survive on as far as food goes?
Andrew Bajda
7/5/2015 05:45:59 pm
Hey Deb, no problem at all with the questions. For food they found the apples and fruit along the roadside quite ripe. They would also purchase bread in the small villages and back on the road, cut up tomatoes and other vegetables to go with the bread. Was a good time of year to be on the run. I guess the Hungarian tomatoes were especially tasty.
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Deb
7/6/2015 03:19:51 am
I'm pretty sure most Hungarian food is tasty - except for blood sausage and pig's feet! Safe travels, Andy!
Pat
7/5/2015 12:22:04 pm
Enjoying following your journey Andy. Photos and story are great!
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August 2022
Author - Andrew BajdaSince publication of my book in December of 2016, so many amazing things have happened on both a personal and professional level. As the journey continues to evolve, I'll update my travel adventures on this blog, and invite you to join me along the way. Categories |