Immigration

Dear Aniela, It has been a long and strenuous last few months since I left from Lithuania. I am overjoyed to be in such a land of opportunity. The voyage was a very long and difficult journey, and I was very glad when we were finally here. I spent all my time below deck and the food was less than ideal, but now I am finally here and glad to be. The first thing I noticed upon arrival in this new world was the grand likeness of Miss Lady Liberty, arms stretched as if to welcome me to her domain. After arriving in harbor and disembarking the ship, we made our way into Ellis Island where we were allowed to enter the United States. After making it through that process I was able to find Henrikas and Jadvyga who were very glad to see me and I am currently staying with them until I earn enough at my new job to buy an apartment. For the first couple days after I got to New York I recovered from the harsh voyage across the vast ocean. I know, however, that I needed to get a job and so went and applied at a shoe stitching factory. I already have skills in the field of sewing from my days in the old country mending clothes, and was able to use these skills to my advantage here. I am making more money than I could ever have imagined at nearly two dollars a week. I almost have the funds to move out and get my own apartment. Life in America is so much more eventful than my old life. There are always many people, and always events to go to. The sky is the limit when it comes to personal monetary gain. I’ve heard stories of the poorest of the poor becoming the richest of the rich because of their ideas. The food here is of such good quality and is always available. No longer must I wait until the pig gets back from the butcher before I can finally eat dinner. Any time I grow hungry all I must do is visit a grocery store and for a relatively small amount of money I can feed myself well. Although all of these things are great, life in America still has its difficulties. I miss our family back home, and feel lonesome sometimes. The apartment I am staying at with Henrikas and Jadvyga is very small and I feel quite crowded. I also miss some of the wide open spaces of back home, as of now I still haven’t left the city, although I hear this land has marvelous countryside. I make much more than back home and can better support myself, although many make much more than me. Aniela, I believe that you would love it here. You have always had a knack for making the best out of situations and I believe you could become quite successful in this new world. If you come, you could stay with me in the apartment I plan on getting quite soon and I can put out in a good word for you at the shoe factory, then maybe one we earn enough money we can move into the country and find work there. I miss you with all my heart and I promise you won’t regret the decision to move to America. Love, Elżbieta 