Monday
I woke up on Monday feeling very sick, almost as bad as I felt the previous weekend when I had stomach flu back in Tennessee. (It was only a week ago?) I forced myself to eat a big breakfast, because I'd barely eaten anything since I got here, and then I felt better. The sky outside was incredible, and though it was still a bit chilly, I couldn't wait for what I had planned.
Me on the balcony.
View from the flat. The pointy building is PKiN.
After my leisurely morning (which was much needed), I met Przemek and Li Yan at Metro Politechnika. Li Yan is a medical student from Malaysia. I met her back in 2010. She had the idea to meet up and go to a park to play music together. She plays guitar and sings, but I had never heard her before. I brought ukulele, cameras, laptop, and scarf. I realized that I basically had everything in my life that meant something to me, on my person at the moment. (I used a Dickensian comma there, against my natural inclination.) If I just had my passport, I could have just left from there and gone anywhere, not missing anything too much.
I had written out some worship lyrics and chords for us to play, and Li Yan did the same. We spread out a blanket at the top of a hill at the park, Pole Mokotowskie. Shorlty after we really started, an old man with a GREAT beard came along, with two university-aged young men, and asked if they could sit nearby and listen. Well, of course they could. We were playing only worship music, so I laughed when the old man asked if I was playing a song by Bob Dylan. He didn't speak much English, but he figured out that we were singing about God. He said that I sounded beautiful when playing this "mystic music." Very poetic; I loved that. Actually, Li Yan is the one who sounded amazing. She's very good at guitar, and has a lovely sweet voice. I'm just a strummer, and I sing around the notes, which isn't always a stylistic choice. Still, on one song where we harmonized, that sounded very good.
Stop making me laugh when we're taking pictures!
Li Yan on guitar.
Anyway, it was great to just sing and play some very affecting songs, and to see these Polish people lying on the grass, eyes closed and enjoying our music. I hardly ever do things like that in Nashville. We also took a video of us singing two of the songs, but there is a lot of wind noise so I will see if I can help that before posting it.
Beard guy. This kid did a good cartwheel.
Spirit come.
Still from our video.
After the park, Przemek and I went to a Bible study at Kasia Ba.'s flat. They were finishing up the book of Romans. Przemek selflessly translated virtually the entire meeting for me. I can't imagine that was too comfortable. While there, I got to see Monika D., who bought a ukulele last year because she loved mine. She told me she would practice so we could start a band when I came again this year, but she was too busy being awesome at everything else, so that will have to wait.
Tuesday
Was going to meet in Ursynów to visit Przemek at home, but when I found that it was not freezing, I decided we should go for lody at 11am. I'm glad that I did, because it was the last day with acceptable ice cream weather. Though it was chilly and there were occasionally some drops of rain, once I tasted it nothing else mattered. How is it so good? My only regret is not ordering the duże.
Went to Przemek's flat, drank some tea, hijacked his internet for a while.
Met Susan for lunch at Zapiecek, which has good pierogi, another favorite thing I had not been able to eat yet. I got the reliably tasty ruskie, which have potatoes and white cheese inside. And to think that I used to be happy with frozen pierogi from the grocery store. Mrs. T, I'm sorry, but I don't have room for you in my life anymore. Susan is someone I'm quite close to, and she knows a lot about my life. I'm not too private about most things with my friends, but I think I've told her more of my drama — and all at once — than I've told almost anyone. I appreciate her compassion as well as her pragmatic advice. She gave me a lot to think about.
Before going back to Susan's flat, I visited Tesco, for old time's sake. And to buy some supplies for the flat, and chocolate for the coworkers. I also bought some green tights because it was getting cold. They didn't match anything I was wearing. Susan pointed out that I must like the attention. I corrected her: I prefer admiration to attention, because people don't have to talk to you to admire you.
We had ordered szarlatka to go, and she concocted some sort of spiced tea drink. (Note: Szarlatka would be a good name for a puppy.) It is a less sweet rendition of apple pie. I don't love apple pie, but this was pretty good. We chatted at her flat for a while. Even though she had just gotten back from the States and was feeling unsettled, to me it still felt very comfortable just due to her presence.
After this, we went to English club, where I got to lead a group, with only a modicum of success. I recognized some people at EC, but there were a lot of new faces. Happily, my friend Anna was there, and was in my group. She is someone who helped me a lot with the photography exhibit we did in 2010.
One of my group members was an older gentleman who liked to talk. Someone in the group had a question about the word "injustice," and I asked if anyone could define it. He volunteered: "Injustice is when someone can afford to travel the world, while someone else cannot buy bread." I nodded in agreement, giving a vague smile. Yes, his statement has truth. But I was trying very hard not to laugh, because of the directness and the surprise of this very pointed statement. It was even funnier, because he was not unfriendly to me, and he was very interested to hear about some things in the States, and even smaller things like the meaning of my name. I'm still not quite sure what was his motivation…
It began to rain again this evening, and I was quite cold, despite my incongruous tights. Przemek had promised to take me to an Irish pub in Warsaw, and his friend Justyna from EC wanted to meet me, so this was a good night for it. It was perhaps my last opportunity to enjoy a Guinness before having one in Dublin ruined it for me forever. Or so they say… I will test that adage and let you know the results. They were playing an Eric Clapton concert DVD. I prefer the StSanders version. It was nice to check out a pub with Przemek, because circumstances in the past have never allowed it.
Guinnesses.
It was so late by the time we left that we had to catch the Night busses home. Ever the gentleman, he accompanied me back, despite the fact that it took him another hour to get home after doing so.
Wednesday
Had another slow morning. Przemek came by to bring me the things I had left at his flat due to the rain. Krzysiek and Dorota came by, and we all went for pizza again. The weather being bad, we spent the afternoon playing games: Carcassonne, at which Krzysiek excelled; Dobble, which is a collection of card games where you match pictures and is more fun than that description sounds because I was really good at it; and Ubongo, which was the best. Dorota done that one. I brought out my ukulele and played some songs. Sadly, I left most of my song cards at home, so I only had a few to play by memory: "Let My Love Open the Door" (of course), "I Will" and "For No One" by The Beatles, and "Blue, Red, and Grey," the song that started me playing ukulele in 2003 or 4. (I should be better at it by now.) I couldn't remember all the chords to "Lola," so I played them my demo recording of it. The recording has toy piano in it, which drew references to the "Bells of St. Mary" mice piano sketch from Monty Python. We also played some worship songs, looked at wedding photos, and listened to other songs selected by yours truly.
At one point during the afternoon, I just stepped back from what was happening, and was nearly overwhelmed. "God, how have You given me so many great Polish friends? Why have You?" I do not deserve the love I get from these people and I can't comprehend how I am so blessed. As K&D left for the day, I told them I love them, and I do. My heart is so full by and for these amazing friends of mine. And the amazing thing is that I have groups of people like this all over the world… My friends at home, my friends in Warsaw, my friends in Belfast. I want them all to be around me all the time.
Krzysiek was brilliant at tin whistle.
In the evening, I met Magda and her father for dinner. Sadly, her mother could not make it. I hated to miss seeing her, but as long as it is up to me, I will return to Poland and I will see her then. I had more pierogi and they had me try Tyskie, a Polish lager. They also gave me a taste of wiśniówka, a liquor made of cherries that is strong (but doesn't taste it) and sweet, at the end of the meal. Magda's father and I tried to speak a little Italian to each other, but I was so rusty on it. Magda was happy to translate, and I was grateful to have a little conversation with this kind man with a good sense of humor. He said I am a young ambassador from the States to Poland, and that he has a good impression of American because of me. So, US government, please hire me to be the Polish ambassador. I may only know words like "koperek" (dill weed) and "ser" (cheese), but I already have a ton of good will that comes along with me.
U Szwejka restaurant.
Magda and pappa.
wiśniówka.
Magda's father was eager that I would get to try more Polish beer, so on the way home they bought me some to take with me. I tasted one as I finished my packing that evening, and the other one is for Ireland.
Was able to talk with Asia more when I got home. As I've said, we haven't had a lot of time to get to know each other, and so I didn't know she was interested in photography. She showed me some photos she had taken with her Canon DSLR, and gave me a website with great photography for inspiration. She really was such a great host; I couldn't have had a more pleasant stay. Really, everything was perfect about this week. Everyone was perfect.
Something about an oak. Also, I miss my jade plant.
Thursday
Krzysiek, Dorota, Przemek, and Asia would all accompany me to the airport. Before we left, I had them all draw unicorns in my notebook for me. (Someday I will collect all the unicorns people have drawn for me. I'll make a coffee table book with them.)
Krzysiek's Americanest smile.
Dorota and I decided to create a band. Here is how we named it.
Chelsea on the bus asks, "What is the word for unicorn?"
Dorota answered, "Jednorożec." (Jeden is 1.)
"And can you make it with dwa (2) at the beginning?"
Dorota laughed. "Dwurozce." So that is the name of our band. Nobody steal it. !!!
Dwurozce. Also, my face. This was like the fourth picture being taken at this time.
A stop called Bennett.
Might as well put this here.
Oh, here's something interesting: I like how Polish people use the phrase "I invite you" to intimate that they will be paying for whatever you're invited to. So I invited them all for coffee. We spent some time in the airport Coffee Heaven, where I enjoyed my last Tiger Latte of the year. I was getting sad and I think they were too. We stayed a little too long in CH, despite K's time vigilance. I gave them all big hugs and hurried into security line before I started getting teary. They stayed to watch me for some time, waving tissues and blowing kisses (well, the girls, anyway). Love and love and love and love.
Asia and me at Coffee Heaven.
She looks way cooler with it than I do.
Until next time.
I was still in the security line 10 minutes before the flight was schedule to leave, so I started asking people to go in front of them, and showing them my boarding pass. One lady suggested I go to the priority line, so I did. Everyone was very courteous and let me go in front of them. Unfortunately, there was passport control right before my gate, and there was a problem, with the person who was in front of me. They were calling my name over the loudspeaker; I still had my shoes off, computer out, bag of liquids in hand, etc., from security, and I couldn't do anything. I finally got through and ran to the gate — I lack a clever simile to describe how ridiculous I looked. When I got there, the agent who had checked me in recognized me and said, "Sorry, it is too late."
"No. Really?"
"Yes."
"…Please?"
"It is too late."
"There is nothing you can do?"
He hesitated. "I will call and ask." Ah, when I heard the Polish lady's "No, tak" from the other end of the line, I'm sure I beamed from ear to ear. I'm certainly glad I told him to have a nice day when he first checked me in. I don't know what would have happened if I had missed that flight. As it was, I was running down the gangplank in my sock feet, things falling out of my arms. Somehow, I was in an empty row, but it was the first one with no under-seat storage. I felt terrible delaying the flight, and everyone was looking at me as the flight attendants helped me find a place for ALL of my baggage. Seriously, we couldn't even take off until I put my boots on and tied them. Anyway, no matter how many people I bumped in to, everyone was kind and smiling (except the flight attendants, but that's understandable). I can't be thankful enough for making this flight. I have never felt so much that I lead a "charmed life" as I have on this trip, and it's all been through the kindness of other people. I'm sure there's a lesson for me to learn so I will have to try to encapsulate it and keep it in front of me for the rest of my days.
So, here I am in Dublin. It surprises me that I was not ready to hear English as the main language in the background again, even English spoken with an Irish accent. I would cry if it weren't for the fact that I get to see the Hallidays tonight. There were a couple of moments when it was close, though. It's taken me about an hour to write this post, and Abby's flight will get in in two hours more. I saw an advertisement that there is free wifi being provided this month, courtesy of some company whom I should thank. Due to my first Coffee Heaven experience, I haven't logged on yet, in case it is limited. But here we go, and here are all the rest of my photos, and I hope you have enjoyed my Poland blog. I will try to post more regularly in Ireland, so that you don't have such long things to read. I'm mostly writing this for myself, so I remember everything. But I do hope there are other readers as well, ones who do not get discouraged by so many words.
I just love you and I love Poland and I can't wait to see what the next two weeks will bring. Flying in was so green.
Love,
Chelsea
AMAZING, as usual. You have such a gift for words.....I like to think that you got a bit of that from me......
ReplyDeleteHave a lovely time, and please give all of my love to our family there in N. Ireland.
Can't wait to hear and see more!
Love, Mom