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Dear all of my loved ones at home
I really have to apologize the late arrival of my first letter. There are so many things happening in my life right now that I barely have time to sleep. However, now I am dying to tell all of you at home how my journey has developed.

First of all I have to mention my trip over seas. You all know that I travelled with the ship “Restaurationen”, which is the first ship travelling from Stavanger to America with Norwegian emigrants. That was noticeable. It was really crowded, so it was difficult to find a place to sit. However, that didn’t affect me or any other of the travellers, everyone was just happy that we finally could seek happiness in the great America. On the trip over I met this lovely girl who was around 19 years, like me, who also was going to America to seek work as a maid. She was really lovely, and we have stayed in touch ever since.

Three months after the departure in Norway we finally arrived in America, and all my thoughts and expectations were fulfilled. America is really as beautiful and amazing as I always have imagined. I am luckier than I ever could have dreamt of. Not only have I been lucky enough to find a family who needed a maid, the family is also very kind and pays me well. My work duties here in America is quite different from what I am used to in Norway, but I am starting to figure out how they like things done now. The house is probably ten times bigger than our house at home, so I have a lot of work to do every day. On the other hand, I like it when I can keep busy with something. Otherwise I think I would miss Norway and all of you at home too much.

But I have to say, even though I work most of the time, the family I am working for sometimes take me shopping, or to do some other fun activities. Last week for example, we went to the nearest town to buy some new clothes. I got this beautiful red dress from Mr. Johnson (the man in the house). It must have cost him a fortune! He is so nice to me; I really hope you get to meet him some day. He has even promised that if I keep up the good work, he will buy two tickets from Norway to America so that two of you can visit me! The man is so good-hearted that I almost can’t believe how lucky I am.

I know it can be difficult for you to leave the farm, but I hope we can figure something out. I really miss talking to you! However, now I have said enough about me. I would really love you to answer this letter, so that I can hear how everything is going at home. I am hoping everything is going well, and that some of you will get the opportunity to visit America soon. I warmly recommend it!

Miss you all very much! Greetings from Maria.

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