In 1998 I took a bus leaving Turin – Italy, to go to Brighton – UK
where I went to University. Amongst the most unforgettable feelings
there is the reaction of relatives and friends to my choice. Somebody
thought I was crazy, others were fascinated, some just couldn’t
understand...
And we were at the end of the 20th century. We can barely imagine which
were the feelings of the one who left and the ones who remained when
the departure happened in 1936 towards the United States!
It has happened to Piero Sartorio who tells us what happened by means
of the notes of his photo collection.
Pinerolo. September 1936. This is my friend Demo on the
balcony of my bedroom. Today, the landscape form the same perspective
would be different due to the estate development happened meanwhile.
Picture and comments form
Piero
Sartorio.
Here, in the same place of the preceding picture, another
important
member of the family: the dog Bill. What did I do in that period of
time besides taking pictures of friends and dogs? Actually, I was busy
preparing my departure to the United States. I took the chance of a
public notice for a competitive examination aiming to select students
who just completed the degree to send them to further training at the
Butte University, Montana, USA. I sent to Rome to some kind of
organization that I can’t remember the report I wrote about my training
in some Spanish mines.
So, I was getting ready to depart, as soon as I got the authorization,
and meanwhile I was learning English from Ms. Balena, the widow of my
former French teacher during the high school. Useless to say that I was
extremely excited by this.
Picture and comments form
Piero
Sartorio.
Genoa. October 14th, 1936. The day of the departure to the USA
has
arrived. I am extremely happy but I am dominated by anxiety. I feel I
am jumping in the dark and I am not sure I will be able to tackle all
of those new situations. At that time the USA are still very far away
and the place where I go is completely mysterious.
But the sequence of events is very quick and I react by prompt actions.
My mother and father bring me to Genoa by car. After the necessary
bureaucracy I board the Rex, then one of the nicest ships in the world.
It is midday. In the very moment when the ship detaches form the dock I
took this picture of my parents greeting me for ground. It's an
unforgettable moment.
Picture and comments form
Piero
Sartorio.
The ship detaches even more and there is already a bit of sea
separating us. Daddy greets me with his hand. Mum is just behind him.
The sadness of the departure is immediately mitigated by the perfect
service of the first class. A waiter comes with a cup of broth. It is
just the first of so much care dedicated to the passengers. The
tugboats detach and we are in the open sea.
Picture and comments form
Piero
Sartorio.
