Page 18 - Willi Distel Diary

Opening of the Auerbach chapter: arrival, lodging, the salon staff and settling in as the boss's favourite

Translated from Willi's German.

V. Auerbach in the Vogtland The express train carried me through the magnificent Saxon Switzerland as far as Plauen in the Vogtland, and during the journey I struck up a few pleasant acquaintances. I reached Auerbach at four in the evening, in complete darkness. A three-quarter-hour walk brought me straight to my destination, Schuetzenstrasse 10. The daughter of the house, in a modern bob, opened the door for me. After the introductions Herr Stettig led me to my sleeping quarters and told me, among other things, that I was the fifth employee. They were: first, Fritz Becker (from ...feld, Berlin); second, Willi Fiedler, from Westphalia; third, Reinberg, from the Rhineland, known as Moli; fourth, Kurt Gruener, from Saxony; and later Vogel, from Silesia. I set to work with fresh spirit, which pleased the master and mistress greatly, and I soon became the favourite of the boss - a nice, good man, but completely henpecked by his small dark wife, who was very proud and domineering. I learned a great deal on the ladies' side, and in curtains too the business was first-rate. Christmas and New Year I spent within the family circle, who were very fond of me. This, however, did not particularly please my fellow male colleague.

People: Willi Distel, Herr Stettig, Fritz Becker, Willi Fiedler, Reinberg, Kurt Gruener, Vogel

Places: Auerbach im Vogtland, Plauen, Saechsische Schweiz, Schuetzenstrasse 10

Interesting facts

Saxon Switzerland. A celebrated scenic region of dramatic sandstone cliffs and gorges along the River Elbe near Dresden, named for its rugged, mountain-like landscape.
The Vogtland and lace. Auerbach and Plauen sit in the Vogtland, a region long famous for textiles. Plauen lace ('Plauener Spitze') was world-renowned, which is why the salon also did a first-rate trade in curtains.
The 'Bubikopf'. The daughter's 'modern bob' was the defining women's hairstyle of the 1920s, short and sleek, a symbol of the era's newly independent young women and a boon for ladies' hairdressers.
Craftsmen from everywhere. The staff hailing from Berlin, Westphalia, the Rhineland, Saxony and Silesia shows how far German journeymen roamed for work, gathering under one roof from every corner of the country.