Book Description

Belina and Zora arrived back in Austria having lived more than forty years in South Africa, where a series of shocks rocked the normality of their lives: An armed robbery at their home, the killing of a friend's brother, car-jackings of friends and the rape of a client's pregnant daughter. On top, the sudden change of permanent residency, from one continent to another, wore heavily on body and soul. But however cumbersome the reintegration process into a different society had become, the city of Vienna had acknowledged striving for democratic coexistence with all its people. The initially different lifestyle might be tough, as one is thrown to the heap of jobless and receivers of social help, but then one is not left out in the bitter cold and one feels to be placed with one's feet upon familiar ground. Months of searching for an affordable flat is turning out to be a nightmare, as even accommodation in remote spots and in poor condition demands unreasonably high deposits. During that time they met Tommy, the gregarious owner of an Art Shop, who exhibits his father's paintings from the Holocaust experience. In discussions with him, Belina and Zora recall also the death of both their grandfathers, due to deadly blows by Nazi fanatics. After three months of flat searching, a friendly associate tells Zora to look outside Vienna and he finds an offer in the paper. Belina sells part of her jewelry needed for the deposit. With the public transport system, they reach Weidling, where an agent drives them to a building opening to a courtyard. The Bedsitter is small but has a separate kitchenette and a pleasant bathroom. The furnished flat has been renovated with modern materials and decorated with light coloured finishes. Zora signs the rental agreement. Belina and Zora, two individuals with strong personalities, had ongoing domestic fights since Belina gave up her chronic medication prescribed in South Africa. She cannot find her place and besides her irregular sleeping habits suffers from a nervous condition. She worries constantly about the remainder of her wardrobe she had to leave back in Athens, a generous large flat they had rented for three years when Zora had worked for three solo exhibitions for his paintings, shown in well-established galleries. But, due to economic circumstances, they have to leave their flat at short notice and return to Vienna. During his daily walks along the scenic Weidlingbach, Zora meets Albert, his virtual collocutor...