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              left with the 15 dollars given them, were able to purchase some
food- and returned to the small motel.
The Communists had taken control of Czechoslovakia on
Aug. 18, 1968. Slavo and Marie knew instinctively that they could
not live under this regime. They began immediately to plan their
escape. Communication with a relative in Germany offered safe
haven there till arrangements to immigrate to Canada could be
made. Visas were required to travel in Germany— with permission
given only by place of employment This involved a scheme in
which the family feigned a relative's wedding in Germany that was
to occur on the 22nd of December. Slavo and Marie worked at the
same factory- he in management and she as a designer and
inscriptor of the beautiful patterns one sees on Czechoslovakia
lead crystal vases. The deception was accomplished successfully
and they obtained two visas— one for Marie and one for Slavo and
the children. Thus, on Dec. 14, with correct documents in hand and
with train tickets purchased, a small single suitcase was quickly
packed! Four toothbrushes, toothpaste, one pair each of p. j.' s for
the children and a change of underwear for Slavo and Marie were
placed in the bag. The last item was a beautiful and expensive
crystal vase—( supposedly the wedding gift)— but really, an
investment for their future in Canada.
With a sick feeling beginning to form in the pit of her
stomach, she realized that she must rely on her complete trust in
Slavo's courage and, with that understanding, they boarded the
train for Germany. The kids were excited because they were going
' to a wedding!' But Slavo' and Marie's thoughts were focused
only on family, friends and their comfortable home and contents-and
all the other things that were being left behind. They peered
back into the night, through the misty train window as if to get a
last glimpse of what their life had been. The engines huffed and
puffed their way out of Novy Bar, Czechoslovakia, and away from
everything they had ever known. Marie turned away from Jana and
Slavo jr. and drew a long sad breath that wrapped itself around a
heart- rending sob, so Slavo clutched her hand. Images of the many
possible scenarios that might ensue filled her mind. It was too late
to mm back. The children were soon lulled to sleep by the clickety
clack of the train wheels, but sleep was not viable for the parents.
Hours passed and they became increasingly uneasy as the train
approached the Czech/ German border.
The train stopped.
The Russian border patrol embarked on a check of all
documents of passengers aboard. Baggage was searched. Time