However, we somehow managed to arrive at the home of our other
friends, but again, not for long. Practically, all the time we had to stay in
the basements, only from time to time some of us climbed upstairs, as quickly as
possible, to bring some food.
I remember that, during our stay at this house a ceasefire was
declared for a few hours, suddenly tranquillity and no more bombing.
The ceasefire was declared to permit all foreigners to leave
Warsaw, which by that time was encircled by the German troops, and there was no
way out for others. My grandaunt, a Swiss national, was living nearby. I went to
visit her with my mother. By an incredible coincidence she had to go to
Switzerland in one hour and she proposed to take me with her. After a few
moments, we decided NOT to accept her offer.
How different would my life be IF I had gone with her to
Switzerland?
We did not have much contact with her prior to this meeting.
She had three children: one in London, another in Barcelona, Spain, and the last
in Zagreb, Yugoslavia, and she used to spend the whole time visiting each of her
children in turn.
We were under intense artillery fire and constantly attacked by
the Luftwaffe. After only three days, this house was also destroyed and we had
to abandon it.
It seemed that we were unlucky - whenever we went, the house
was blown apart or set on fire.
