some joy: Warsaw catch-up, Part I.

As I begin this post, I am in the air over Poznan, Poland, on my way to Dublin. It was very hard to leave Warsaw this morning. I almost cried, but thanks to the thought of two weeks in Ireland I was able to contain myself. In addition to Krzysiek, Dorota, and Przemek accompanying me to the airport, I gained one more person: Joanna (Asia, pronounced like Ah-sha; I don't understand how that is derivative of Joanna but it is pretty), my flatmate. Though I was out of the flat most of the time, and we only had a few opportunities to speak, I think we got to like each other pretty well. She seems a very sweet person, and I look forward to seeing her next time. Asia, let's plan to go on a photographic expedition when I return.

I'll try to give you a rundown of the days I spent in Warsaw, and insert photographs as necessary. Some repetition to begin.

Wednesday

Arrived. Had dinner with P, K, and D. Went to K & D's flat in Otwock. Got lost; got home.

Krzysiek and guitar in his Otwock flat.

Thursday

Went to Old Town with Przemek. Gorgeous weather, but could not eat lodY. Listened to a busker make up a song in English as he went along. Either genius or insane; possibly both. Gave me an idea that all homeless people should get musical instruments to earn money and relieve stress. You don't have to be good, just passionate… Also went to the botanical gardens at the BUW. Sweated. Visited Anna at her Polish pottery shop, and went to Złote Terasy to find bad food and internet. I wish now I had bought a sweater.

busker

view of the new stadium from Old Town

some buildings around OT

Old Town. Every year I take the same photo.

A mermaid statue I hadn't seen before.

Some roses growing on a tree?

Getting arty at the BUW. I really couldn't do anything else with this photo. All next photos are from BUW.

Someday I will regret playing around with so many Lightroom presets.

Friday

Went to Łazienki Park with Przemek. I can't recall if that's where I first met him, but it's where I first met Magda and he was also there. Tricked a squirrel into coming to visit me. Polish squirrels are the cutest things. They are red with pointy ears, like little foxens. Tried gofry: a sweet waffle that is for DESSERT not breakfast. Covered in cream and jam. Not an elegant snack. Tried to think of ways to disguise myself while eating.

Visiting Chopin at Łazienki Park.

Photographer

The word for lilac is the same as the word for without.

Gofry.

Met Kasia at Skaryszewski Park (I spelled that correctly without looking at it). She gave me a bouquet of konwalie, which smell amazing. Later found out they are called Lily of the Valley in English. I guess I had never seen them before. Walked around and talked, sharing the changes in our lives over the past year or so. I can see so much growth in her over these past couple of years. She has really gained a lot of wisdom and confidence in the Lord. She is a beautiful lady, and I think we have a similar emotional makeup. She took me to walk around the new Stadium built for the Euro Cup 2012. It looks like a crown and also like a basket. She also took me to see some areas that have really changed in her neighborhood, due to the impeding championship games. It was nice to see how some things have improved. Many Varsovians are unsure how communication will be during the Euro Cup. Also, they say "communication" for commute / transport, and I love that.

Stadium

Konwalie

Met Magda, saw Polish weirdos sing American hip-hop (loved it), went on a tourist run of some areas of Warsaw around 1 a.m. You already know.

Saturday

Had a wee lie-in. Had a delicious breakfast. Returned to flat to prepare for wedding. There is already a post about the wedding, so you can go read that: right here.

Sunday

After about 3 hours of sleep, woke up to go to Otwock (a regular C is pronounced like TS in Polish). It turns out Przemek needed to postpone his baptism. Of course I was sad for him and sad for myself, but I will just be happier for him when he is able to — hopefully in a few months' time?

Met with some people for the first time (this trip) at church in Otwock: American Joe, Malaysian Li Yan, Polish Gosia and another Kasia (Bu.). American Steven was also there. He's the one I first worked with here in Poland, still very involved in Jewish cemetery work. I can't wait to see what is in store for the upcoming project this summer.

The children helped lead worship. They performed songs with hand motions. One of them was about looking for Jesus at the tomb and not being able to find Him, for reasons you may be familiar with. One little girl in particular was very dramatic about looking everywhere and not seeing him. They were so sweet.

(iPod Touch photo so as not to be obtrusive.)

Przemek made an announcement to the congregation explaining his decision to postpone the baptism. I didn't know everything that he said but it sounded pretty good. Przemek, if you're reading this, I am still very proud of you. (I also am if you are not reading this.) Steven taught, and Gosia sat beside me to translate the main points for me. Michał is the pastor of the Otwock church, and he's also good to listen to even if you don't know what he's saying. I learned a new word because he kept repeating it: "teraz," meaning "now." Too bad I don't know any other words to surround it in a sentence.

Przemek and I were invited to eat with Kasia Bu., her husband Mirek, their two children (I had not met her family before, so that was nice, though Mirek thought I should learn Polish and the children were shy to try English), Monia R., her boyfriend Andrzej, and Kasia Ba. (the first one I mentioned). It was difficult to find a restaurant, because there had been a lot of first communions taking place in town that day. The first restaurant we looked at also a shooting range INSIDE THE RESTAURANT. There was camouflage netting up in the trees outside; weaponry and bullet-riddled stumps made up the decor inside. It was… quite American. I think it's good we did not eat there.

It's the shooting range. INSIDE THE RESTAURANT.

We ended up at the most beautiful place on a river, where I had food that was so delicious I wanted to cry. It was eggplant with different kinds of cheeses, I think bleu cheese or goat cheese, and parmesan. There were pomegranate seeds atop the eggplant slices. That's something I never would have thought of, and I can't even tell you why it made everything so amazing, BUT IT DID. Natalie, it actually made me think of you, because you make creative and delicious things like that. I know your cooking will move me to tears one day.

The tea was also great.

After eating, we went for a walk along the river. I mostly talked to Monia, catching her up on the events in my life. My story is long, very long, but she has a compassionate ear that is most appreciated.