10 October 1938

Hello friends! I thought my last entry would be my last blog, but a significant event has occurred and I thought that I must write about it!  Before I speak of that, let me tell you what has happened in the last few years...I arrived home a few weeks after my last blog.  I was glad to be home after such a long time being away but to be honest; I do miss parts of Europe. 
Once I arrived home, the visited family after being away for so long, I was very happy to see them! 5 and a half years are too long.
I went back to the University of Michigan and continued my studies.  I graduated with a major in history and a minor in economics.  We will see where that degree takes me! Visiting Europe when I did taught me a lot about myself, what potential I have and what I would like to go into when I am older.  That trip is definitely the highlight of my life thus far!
Even though I am back home, I am still following the news and the events that are occurring over in Europe.  Many people are nervous and fearful that a war may be on the horizon.  Hitler's rise to power is exponentially growing and fear is embedded in our bodies.
One recent and significant event that has just occurred is the invasion of the Sudetenland and Czechoslovakia.  The Sudetenland's population is mainly German.  On September 10^th, a meeting was held with the leaders of the following nations; Britain, France, Italy and Germany.  And the result of this meeting created the Munich Agreement, and it was signed.  The Munich Agreement loosened the Treaty of Versailles limitations against Germany.  The benefit of the Sudetenland to the Germans is that the Sudetenland held the bulk of Czech fortifications.  This German take over of the Sudetenland created a much easier way to take over all of Czechoslovakia.  Czechoslovakia’s Prime Minister Chamberlain originally sold out Czechoslovakia to Hitler.  However, after Hitler’s invasion of the Sudetenland, Chamberlain then thinks he cannot trust Hitler and Chamberlain belief in Hitler came down in shambles.  Therefore, the end of the appeasement.  Through all of this tension, the allies are not intervening in Hitler’s actions and his invasions into other countries. 

I fear that Hitler will continue his invasions and he won’t be stopped, the allies should intervene as soon as possible before things get worse. 

Readers, watch this story and follow it! I truly believe there will be something that comes out of this invasion, and I feel that Hitler's actions are going to escalate.
Have the people of Europe in your prayers, God Bless everyone!
Thanks for reading!

22 March 1936

I have arrived in Britain; and thank goodness I left Spain, the civil unrest is escalading.  I can’t believe I have been over here in Europe for 5 and a half years! Despite the economic and political turmoil in many countries, I have truly enjoyed my journey out of depression and my adventures overseas, even though my journey was practically into the same depression but in a different part of the world.  As I reflect on my trip, I think of the highlights and the lessons I have learned.  My favourite country to have visited was France.  I loved their culture, their way of life, the sites and attractions I could see, but the main thing I enjoyed was that I was in France when there was no instability.  France was a great nation to visit and if I would go back anywhere in a few years, it would be France.  One lesson that I learned was how a world so big could be filled with so much conflict!  Everywhere I turned, there was violence, fear or instability; and sometimes all three.  Even though the people were nice to talk to, the country that they lived in wasn’t so nice.  I pray and hope that the conflicts ease up in their countries and living becomes easier for the innocent people who have to endure such pandemonium. 

The purpose of this trip was to not only go on a trip in honour of my Great Aunt Gladis; it was to escape the depression.  But the grass isn’t always greener on the other side! This trip has been a true eye opener for me and as I make my way back home, I will look at things twice and really appreciate how lucky I am not to live in such turmoil everyday but to live in Freedom.

I am so incredibly blessed to have taken part in this journey and truly comprehend the world as a whole and struggles that people go through everyday.  Aunt Gladis, I want to thank you for everything!  The money that you left me was a blessing in itself! But it was also a blessing that a portion of the money was used for such a great opportunity and adventure.  It is something that I will always be grateful for! 

Well this is my final entry for this journey.  I am packing my bags up for the final time and heading out to the SS Leviathan for my final voyage home. 

God bless and take care! Thanks for reading!

20 March 1936

To my surprise, I actually left France; I never thought I would leave.  I am now in Spain.  The 1936 Spain election was underway and I new some important and historic events would come of it, so I decided to pack my bags and travel to my final country destination before my trip home, Spain.  A coalition government, The Popular Front Party, was elected into power.  The coalition consisted of all left wing movement groups in Spain – Communists, socialists and anarchists.  However, each group has a slightly different agenda.  The communists want to put institutions in place and have state owned infrastructure.  The anarchists want to abolish all institutions and everyone is for their selves.  The differences between the groups started to manifest themselves and the coalition starts to breakdown.  And to add to these problems, the Spanish population is not supporting the newly elected political party; they do not feel that the Popular Front Party can run the country.  A domino effect starts to occur; one event leads to another.  The Spanish Nationalists, a ring wing party, start to rebel against the Popular Front Party.  The Nationalists strongly believe in the military, therefore they are gaining support from the Spanish army.  General Franco, the leader of the Spanish army, wants to settle the unrest within the country.  The right wing (Nationalists) and the left wing (Popular Front Party) set up military camps against each other to decide who is going to control Spain.  And the Spanish Civil War begins.

As a tourist, being in Spain is not the best place to be right now.  I wish I could seek refuge in France, but France is unstable due to Spain’s War so unfortunately I will not be traveling back to France.  I will travel back to Britain until my final voyage home.  I really liked being in Britain, so what better way to spend my last few weeks in Europe?! I am packing my bags this evening; one more day here will not do me any good. 

Pray for safety for the people of Spain!

13 August 1935

Oh wow! France is more than I could have asked for, despite the economic struggles, France is still a magnificent country to visit.  France has been pretty quiet in politics etc. compared to other European nations.  I’ve been closely watching the news in France as I am here to see if any outbreaks are going to happen or if any political instability is going to arise.  So far, all is good.  However, I have been keeping my eye on one story; the rise to power of Léon Blum and the socialist party.  I am not sure where this party is taking us but I can feel an election coming soon.  Who knows, time will tell us!

Until then, au revoir!

1 December 1934

Bonjour mes amis! Je suis arrivée en France aujourd’hui! Paris is beautiful! The snow is falling and dancing in the sky.  I write this Blog inside a taxi as I drive to my hotel.  There’s the Arc de Triomphe!! Ooh I can see the Eiffel Tower from here!  I am very excited to spend time here in Paris, France.  Hopefully this will be my time to relax on this journey.  This afternoon, I am going to head into the market, go to the local bakery and get un pain au chocolat and un café au lait.  (Chocolate croissant and a latte for those non-French speakers) 

Well I am almost at my hotel, au revoir!

4 October 1934

I am glad to be in Austria.  I honestly did not enjoy living in such a fearful and somber place.  Everywhere I went, I felt that anger, uncertainty and fear were filled within peoples’ bodies.  At this time, Nazi Germany is not a good place to visit.  Some historic sites and buildings were beautiful, but I am thankful to be in Austria now.  Or so I thought.  Nazis have infiltrated Austria too.  A small group of Austrians are mimicking Hitler’s actions by creating Austrian Nazis.  The Austrian Nazis attempted to overthrow the Austrian Government, Engelbert Dollfuss, but the plan failed.  Neutral Italy stepped in and sent troops to the Austrian-German border to assist Austria in fighting off the Germans.  There is true instability and dishonesty between the two countries.  Hitler is threatening Austria Chancellor, Kurt von Schussing, to make Anschluss happen.  (Unification between Austria and Germany)  I almost felt relieved to be visiting a new country; I thought it was a way to escape the Nazis and their power but having Austrian Nazis here, just makes me miss home so much.  Paolo and his family are fearful of my safety, I miss them dearly.  But I know Aunt Gladis is watching over me and watching out for my safety. 

Czechoslovakia is next on my travel list, let’s hope and pray conditions are better over there.