Travel Tales

By Thomas E. Berry, PhD

A lovely Latvian lady is awaiting the return of the Nazi occupiers of Latvia. She has reasons to be afraid. She had worked for the Soviets, when they ruled her country, and that could mean execution. Another thread existed because she had helped Jews escape from imprisonment. Will the invading Germans allow her to work, or will they put her in prison?

The author tells other stories he heard on travels in the Pamir Mountains, the Saint Petersburg to Moscow nighttime special train, and in India at a wedding temple.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Page Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Aug 30, 2021
• ISBN: 9781662451584

Book preview

cover.jpg

Travel Tales

Thomas E. Berry, PhD

Copyright © 2021 Thomas E. Berry, PhD

All rights reserved

First Edition

PAGE PUBLISHING, INC.

Conneaut Lake, PA

First originally published by Page Publishing 2021

ISBN 978-1-6624-5156-0 (pbk)

ISBN 978-1-6624-5158-4 (digital)

Printed in the United States of America

Table of Contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Kyrgyzstan

Exciting and Bizarre Tales

Chapter 1

In 1957, on a Russian train, I heard the following story:

Sitting before a large window, overlooking the center of Riga, 1941, Anna Pherein, a Latvian lawyer of prominence, was waiting for the departure of the fleeing Soviet troops that had governed Latvia for over a year. She was anxious to witness their leaving since they had ruled ruthlessly. The German army would move in after the Russian departure, and Anna was hoping for better adjustment with the newest invader.

She had served the Soviets in order to have food tickets, and she wondered if she would have the same privilege with the Germans. Those egotistical snobs will probably consider me beneath them and won’t give me a chance to prove myself like the Russians did.

A loud noise and cheering outside caused Anna to give closer attention to the large window behind her. A line of German troops, seven across, had entered into view. The people gathered on the sidewalks along the street were throwing flowers and shouting with glee. Anna knew that many Latvians were delighted that the Germans were replacing the Soviets, but she was surprised at the size of the crowd.

May they always be so jubilant! she thought.

At that moment, a door was pushed open, and in marched a tall partially white-haired officer.

He stopped in front of her desk, saluted, and announced, I am Reichskommissar, Wilhelm Dietz.

Anna was startled by the imposing figure before her, but she swallowed and softly answered, Are you a representative of the German Reichskommissariat?

Yes.

I am Anna Pherein, a Danish lawyer who has been assigned to welcome you to our capital city, Riga.

The German officer, greatly relaxed, asked, May I be seated?

Most certainly, she answered in German and motioned with her hand toward a leather chair at the front of her desk.

May I say, sir, that I hope you noticed the crowds of Latvians welcoming you to Riga.

The officer smiled and said, You speak very good German.

Thank you. We Danes know that we are surrounded by the great countries of Europe and make it a point to speak their language.

I assume then that you also speak Russian.

Anna nodded and continued a bit haughtily in German. It permitted me to serve the Russian army while it occupied us. It was a privilege that allowed me food stamps during their occupation.

I have been assigned as Head Reichskommissar for this area. I trust that you will also help me in settling matters of state.

Anna, surprised, replied in a most agreeable tone, Oh, I would be glad to help you.

The officer paid no attention to her pleasant attitude and turned way as he took a great many papers from his portsack. She noticed his ingratitude and realized that since he did not respond to her kindness, she would have to earn his favor if she was to gain privileges. In a hurry, Heinrich plopped the papers he had exhumed on to Anna’s desk.

Straitening his jacket, he said, Go over these so that we can discuss them tomorrow.

Sure, sir, Anna replied and started picking them up as he briskly left the room.

She watched him leave and thought about the Soviet boss she had had under the Russian rule

Boris was a rough one all right, she thought, but he did like women.

She laughed to herself and remembered how many times her Soviet boss had made overtures a bit off-color. Still he was friendly. I think this guy has a rather large opinion of himself. Just another conceited German.

Anna picked up the papers her German commander had left her, and after reading quickly, she began making a series of files all over her desk. Time passed quickly.

She was about to retire for the evening when her wrinkled, grey-haired father, Baron Petr Pherein, came in and said, while taking out his heavy wool coat, Oh, my dear darling, the new director must have put you to work.

No, Father. He left these things, and I’m trying to figure out what he needs. However, he’s not as stiff as I was expecting.

Typical German, all work and no play!

I’m not sure. He’s a different type than Boris was.

You’re sure? Her father asked and then joked, Well, at least there will be no vodka during working hours!

Anna laughed and said, I believe you’re right. He’s more of a business type.

Her father blew his nose and sat down in the leather