12/1/1902

I am Stella De Luca, and I am 22 years old. I've been saving money to go to America for weeks, and I finally have enough for a ticket! In Venezuela, our navy is blocking the ports because the presidente (president) refused to pay for the debt of Italy, England, and Germany. I fear that if this goes on for much longer, a dispute could start, and possibly turn into a war. I am going to buy a ticket to America later today, but I will only be able to have enough for 3rd class.

16/1/1903

Today I boarded the barca (boat) to America! Although I must leave my madre (mother) with a friend for a while, I will get her a ticket to be with me in America as soon as possible. The conditions in 3rd class are horrible, so I should get a second class ticket for her. We have been stuck in the bottom of the boat, and it is cramped, smelly, and dirty. When I look out my window all I can see is acqua (water). Although the journey will be long, I will make it to the land of opportunity.

29/2/1903

I look out the window every day to see if I can vedo terra (see land). When I looked out the small window near me today, with a glimmer of hope that the boat ride was almost over, I finally saw land! It was Ellis Islola (Island)! I have been in this boat so long I'm not sure how long it has been. I asked someone what day it was, and I was surprised. It has felt like months, but it has only been a few weeks! The Statue of Liberty is absolutely stunning! Even though we are here, I know that we still have to wait to be screened for illness, and because of the wait I'm going to sketch the Statue of Liberty the best I can.

4/3/1903

Today I was finally screened after waiting in a long line for hours. I don't have any illnesses that I could pass on to others, so I am in America now. I can finally see what America is like! My best friend Rosa Ramella moved to America about 2 years ago to see if she could get a better job than she could in Italy, and although her safety is at risk, she makes more money than she would have in Italy. She is going to let me stay with her in an apartamento (apartment), and she will even let me live in her casa (house) if I help her buy it. She is doing so much for me, and even though she offered to help me get a job, I feel like I should get one myself to give her a break.

9/3/1903

I have gotten my own job at a fabbrica (factory), and the working conditions and hours are horrible. I have to work twelve hours a day, then go "home" to a filthy apartment complex. I only get paid about 41 dollars a month, which is barely enough to live on. I have been giving Rosa about 2 dollars each month, maybe a little more, and I have also been salvataggio (saving) about 3 or 4 dollars each month to try to get my mom a second class ticket. The rest of the money I get is being shared with Rosa for food, and apartment costs.