First Impressions 

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I am always thrilled to see letters written by my mother and to “hear” her young voice. In this letter from October 23, 1939, 18-year old Eva is writing to her cousin Paul Zerzawy. We see her first impressions San Francisco. If I didn’t live here already, I would want to visit! 

San Francisco, October 23

Dear Paul!

Aunt Bertha was disappointed that we arrived without you. I told the story to the committee, although it wasn’t necessary. From the beginning, it was neither listened to nor was even mentioned as a formality. I think you will like it here. The whole house reminds me of a dollhouse, both the size and the furnishings.

Hilda’s house is also sort of a miniature like this one, but it is somewhat more modern. Both homes are in rather exclusive residential areas, but they are on different sides of the city.

Since the exposition is going to close at the end of this week, we went on the first day. I like it better than the one in New York. It is quite similar in character but it is not so big. The external impression is much sweeter and more romantic. The emphasis is on fountains, lakes, and flowers. It is similar to the impression the city makes.

What I have seen so far reminds me quite a bit of Istanbul. The city is rather scary and has many streets which are so steep that you can’t really walk without slipping. Yesterday and the day before yesterday, it was hot weather like in the middle of summer, but now suddenly it has made way for fall weather. Bertha says that the climate here is usually like that.

Now I am at the beginning of the story when I am actually ending. So, the story of the journey – it actually was somewhat boring. It was however wonderfully relaxing to just sit in this nice train. In Chicago we thought we could see the city, but we apparently just ended up in a very poor neighborhood. There was almost no light to be found. Only when we got closer to the train station did we see the beautiful lights of the city.

So that you don’t get lost when you leave the train station, go out on the left side.

For today I will end with best greetings from Aunt Bertha and me.

Most sincerely
Eva

After sailing to America on board the Rex, Eva and Harry were met in New York by their cousin Paul Zerzawy and then boarded the train to go to San Francisco. Upon arrival in San Francisco, Eva and Harry were split up to stay with different relatives – Eva with Bertha and George Schiller, and Harry with Hilda and Nathan Firestone. Since they lived in different parts of the city, they attended different high schools.

In their few days in New York, they attended the world’s fair. Since the Golden Gate International Exposition on Treasure Island was about to close when they arrived in San Francisco, they immediately visited and Eva shares her impressions here. Within just a few weeks, Harry and Eva got to attend two world’s fairs. What an introduction to life in the United States! 

Below are two photos from the San Francisco exposition: