Clara Filderman and Livia Diaconescu with their cousin, Bernel Ianconescu

This is a photo from the 1930s. We were on vacation in Movila, near the Black Sea. From right to left: Clara Filderman - my sister, Bernel Ianconescu - my cousin, and I, "the little beetle".

My complexion was darker than other kids' and some relative called me a beetle after becoming very upset with my parents. In time, this turned into a fondling nickname, "little beetle".

We would thoroughly observe certain hours of sunbathing, as the sun would have negative effects on the soft skins. In the background, you can see someone who is hiding from the sun under an umbrella, only exposing the legs. There were various improvised parasols, straw hats and so on. There were many attractions for the children too, like the peddlers: Turks carrying yokes with loads of cakes - baklavas, eclairs etc.

My father, Lazar Filderman, didn't come with us on vacations, he stayed at the store - he said he couldn't close it. My mother would take us and the maid. First, we would go to Techirghiol [a lake near the Black Sea], then to Carmen Sylva [a spa at the Black Sea]. I loved the seaside. We went sunbathing between certain hours, like it was recommended. Other relatives of ours would come too - Maria Ianconescu, nee Finkelstein, my mother's sister, with her children, Dori and Bernel. We were a small pack.