Grand Duchess Olga Alexandrovna, discussion and pictures Part 1

I would love to hear about the meeting too. I used to go to school in Buffalo, very close to Toronto, so used to drive up there a lot. Now I am in NJ, so a little too far a for a day trip, but it would have been very interesting - I love to do stuff like that! Doug, let me know how it went and also any photos?  

Yes, I would like to hear about the trip too!  

Great get together!
I had such a great time meeting up with Doug and Neva!
I got some pictures of the event and I just need to get them developed. Also, my boyfriend and I went to Camilla Road in Missassauga and got some pictures as well. Looks exactly like it did in the images of Camilla I've seen. I'll post some more in-depth discription when I'm done with exams.

Cheers all!

Hi Laura,

Glad you had a great meeting !
Good luck on your exams also.

Tatiana

Great get together!
I had such a great time meeting up with Doug and Neva!
I got some pictures of the event and I just need to get them developed. Also, my boyfriend and I went to Camilla Road in Missassauga and got some pictures as well. Looks exactly like it did in the images of Camilla I've seen. I'll post some more in-depth discription when I'm done with exams.

Cheers all!
 

Cool rendezvous.

All were there right on time! Was freezing cold and we stood right before the house and talked and then Laura took some pics.  

We knocked the door on the right, which is supposed to be Olga Alexandrovna's last address (the right door in  the pic on the first page) and an asian lady with two little kids opened the door and unfortunately could not converse in English. Would have been nice if she let us in so we could go up. I think we should take with us next time someone who speaks Chinese...or learn Chinese in the next few weeks (eating chinese food will not help).

neva

I think we should take with us next time someone who speaks Chinese...

You'll have to figure out which Chinese dialect the lady speaks first, it could be a number of them and they are all totally different!  

Might I suggest the following, if you are planning to go back and talk to the lady.

First go to your local community center [or a community wherein there are Chinese peoples living] and ask to speak to a person who can both speak and write in both dialects of Chinese, or even if possible, would consider to accompany you. [Do tell him/her why you are visiting this house, etc.] Sometimes you may find a heart that is open and willing to help find answers to perplexing issues, problems, etc. If he/she cannot accompany you, then have them perhaps write down what you are looking for and or wish to gain back of information from this woman. At least here you have dialogue, and can go further, or not. At least you have tried.  

Good Luck ! Also by the way, I have heard you can warm up chestnuts and keep them in your pocket to keep your hands warm. I remembered that many Parisians have done this. Just an idea....

Tatiana

Cool rendezvous.

All were there right on time! Was freezing cold and we stood right before the house and talked and then Laura took some pics.  

We knocked the door on the right, which is supposed to be Olga Alexandrovna's last address (the right door in  the pic on the first page) and an asian lady with two little kids opened the door and unfortunately could not converse in English. Would have been nice if she let us in so we could go up. I think we should take with us next time someone who speaks Chinese...or learn Chinese in the next few weeks (eating chinese food will not help).

neva

Aish... I speak Chinese but sorry I can't be with you guys (I am in Los Angeles now).  If you need any help with Chinese, feel free to ask me.  Helen_A is right, there are many different Chinese dialects and the two main ones are Mandarin and Cantonese.    

I have just received an e-mail from  the Halton Region Museum giving me the name of the present owner of GD Olga's farm near Campbellville. He is a committed organic farmer - Olga would likely be pleased..
I have sent a message asking if he would be open to a visit. I will keep everyone posted.
The location is 15th sideroad and Guelph Line, north of Mohawk Raceway.

Doug, You're awesome!
Thank you!

I'm getting the pictures processed, and hope to have them online soon! Just finished an exam today, thank you for the well wishes. Just a few more to go!

Cheers!  

I was wondering about the outcome of your trip.

It must have been very exciting.  Can't wait for the pictures.

Photos Take One:
It just so happened that the photos I took were split up in two rolls of film. The last few of one roll, and the first few of the next.  
Anyhoo... Here are pictures of Grand Duchess Olga's last residence before she passed away.

Here is her residence in the 1960s (Courtesy of Helen_A):


And here it is today (unfortunatly, even worse IMHO):



(All of us hanging out at the front  )




(the backyard of the residence. My boyfriend kinda jumped a few fences to get this one)



And there you have it. Round one of two. I hope to get the other roll used up shortly so I can get pictures of the Camilla Road house up soon. I'll have before and after pics too!  

Woo-hoo!
Thanks for those, Laura. Do you mind telling us who's who? (I which one you are, at least   )

Oh yea, telling which one was Laura was a tough one.    

These are GREAT! (I love how your boyfriend jumped fences to get a picture..lol)

Well, the order goes as Me, Neva, Doug, Dave (? - if I'm mistaken, please let me know Doug  :-/)
My boyfriend was the one taking the picture