Dear Victoria!

First of all I want to express my gratefulness for all your pieces of advice! I had soaked all the information up and it helped me to go through my long trip without any unpleasant surprises, to take my time and do all the right choices.

Before I set out I had made a new passport. I send you a copy of it.

It turned out that I couldn`t take all my belongings with me and it was a real disappointment to face the necessity to rough it. So I decided to take some clothes, my favorite toy and a family photo to retain memories of our previous life. As you had told me, I kept my things close to me not to lose them. The appearance of the ship impressed me a lot: I had never seen it before. I stood on the deck for two or three hours in advance of our arrival. I was so tired that managed to fall asleep even on the bunk in our cabin!

When we arrived, I passed all inspection without any problems (of course, due to your help). As everyone has to do his bit, I help my parents and work at home. I want to try selling newspapers too. It would be great to have some money to laze around and visit Nickelodeon once or twice a week! I also have my own responsibilities: to sweep and mop. But it is a bit difficult, I get tired a lot and sleep like a log on my bed made of crates (great idea, thank you!). Life here makes a change. For example, our flat is very small for our family (though, it is not as big as yours). Despite the fact that we live at peace with each other, sometimes a desire to get away from it all appears.

New York is like another, diverse world. There are a lot of people all over the place, there are representatives of different nations and ethnic groups but there is no hostility and misunderstanding at all. Even though the life here is promising to be better, I feel nostalgia and sadness for my native land, me Italy.

What about you? Did you miss your Motherland? How are you? Are there any news?

Sincere yours, Rosalia Gallo

P.S. Of course, I had a culture shock, when arrived here: so many interesting things, dishes, traditions! But we also keep our traditions and cook our Italian pasta and coffee!