I do not even know where to begin other than the fact that Poland, I think, has been my favorite destination of travels thus far. Maybe it is because I'm Polish, maybe it is because my Grandpa Wichlinski (and my dad and his nine brothers and sisters) are so proud of their heritage, or maybe it is because it is the first place that I have ever been where people actually looked like me. One word....cheeks. While not every Polish person has this trait, I cannot begin to tell you how many people I saw walking throughout the city of Krakow thinking, 'That person looks like my dad. That person looks like my cousin. That person looks like my sister." I couldn't help but feel like I belonged. 
Adam, Elizabeth, and my trip began after walking into the airport to see an older single woman named Anna holding a sign that read 'Kayleen'. (I've seen this in the movies and in airports, and have always wanted the sign to say my name). Anna is the sister-in-law of a woman of whom I know and chat with often at Purdue (Ania). Ania set it up so that Adam, Elizabeth, and I could stay with her family. We were a little disheveled upon arrival but eager to embrace the entirety of the Polish culture. Anna spoke English pretty well, but we could all tell that she did not speak it on a normal basis. We followed her out of the airport into one of the smallest cars I have ever seen in my entire life. It nearly looked like an electric-run golf-cart, and it fit all four of us perfectly snug. It was about 1 pm (Poland time) when we arrived to Anna's house. Driving through Poland was an interesting sight in itself. I do not know if you are familiar with the movie The Pianist, but much of the area looked like it had just come out of World War II. The buildings looked abandoned, few people in sight, and lots of graffiti on the buildings. And, upon walking into the apartment building, I instantly thought of scenes from The Pianist. I have never seen an area like this before. Anna explained to us that Poland was the battleground between the Germans and the Russians for over one-hundred years.
This eerie feeling was suddenly lost, however, when we walked into Anna's apartment. Here are some photos of her lovely home: 
She had the table set as soon as we arrived, and we all sat down for a delicious pot of soup. At this point, I still felt rude to take a photo of my food in front of her. I did not want her to think that I was being obnoxious or trivial. She served all of us putting significantly more soup in Adam's bowl as she said, "You are a man." Elizabeth and I just giggled. Anna nervously laughed too. I tried to savor every bite of my soup because I thought this was our lunch, but then Anna emerged from the kitchen with four plates of my favorite Polish dish...Golumpki. It was at that moment that I had to excuse myself from the table apologizing for my insane behavior as I just HAD to take a picture of my meal. 
Golumpki is basically rice and meat stuffed into a cabbage leaf and traditionally served with red sauce in the States among other locations. Anna told us that in Poland, Golumpki is traditionally served with a mushroom sauce. Either way...it was very delicious.
It was when Anna started to show us brochures and maps in regards to the area that we began to see her acute sarcasm shine. It was quite funny. She kindly asked us what we wanted to do while in Krakow, and as we all looked at each other beginning to speak she cut us off with an, "I have plan for today." We just smiled and nodded our heads....laughing a bit. That day, we walked throughout Krakow.
This eerie feeling was suddenly lost, however, when we walked into Anna's apartment. Here are some photos of her lovely home: She had the table set as soon as we arrived, and we all sat down for a delicious pot of soup. At this point, I still felt rude to take a photo of my food in front of her. I did not want her to think that I was being obnoxious or trivial. She served all of us putting significantly more soup in Adam's bowl as she said, "You are a man." Elizabeth and I just giggled. Anna nervously laughed too. I tried to savor every bite of my soup because I thought this was our lunch, but then Anna emerged from the kitchen with four plates of my favorite Polish dish...Golumpki. It was at that moment that I had to excuse myself from the table apologizing for my insane behavior as I just HAD to take a picture of my meal. Golumpki is basically rice and meat stuffed into a cabbage leaf and traditionally served with red sauce in the States among other locations. Anna told us that in Poland, Golumpki is traditionally served with a mushroom sauce. Either way...it was very delicious.It was when Anna started to show us brochures and maps in regards to the area that we began to see her acute sarcasm shine. It was quite funny. She kindly asked us what we wanted to do while in Krakow, and as we all looked at each other beginning to speak she cut us off with an, "I have plan for today." We just smiled and nodded our heads....laughing a bit. That day, we walked throughout Krakow.
What made us really laugh was when she whipped out a small stack of papers, gave them to Adam, and said, "Read." That day, Adam was our tour guide. And when Elizabeth and I would stand off to the side to take photos, Anna would yell at us to listen to Adas. Again, laughter. Adas (pronounced A-desh) is Adam in Polish. We all called Adam Ades the entire weekend (and we have continued this since our trip). Elizabeth's name is Elzbieta (pronounced just as spelled), and my name is Kayleen. I felt so nontraditional.
Anyway, the center of the city is absolutely gorgeous. 
The monk (peering out of one of the most prominent churches in Krakow) plays the trumpet every hour on the hour of everyday. There is a historical story as to why a specific tune is played everyday.
The population seem to be largely Catholic, and there is great admiration for Pope John Paul II. 
I have to say that this is the BEST place to shop from my travels in Europe. The currency in Poland is the Zloty. About 3 Zloty is equivalent to 1 US dollar. You can imagine what amazing gifts you can gather from Krakow (or Poland in general) and at amazing prices too! Unfortunately, we did not get much time to shop due to the longevity of our tour. It was the best tour one could experience, however, in one day's time.
The monk (peering out of one of the most prominent churches in Krakow) plays the trumpet every hour on the hour of everyday. There is a historical story as to why a specific tune is played everyday. The population seem to be largely Catholic, and there is great admiration for Pope John Paul II. I have to say that this is the BEST place to shop from my travels in Europe. The currency in Poland is the Zloty. About 3 Zloty is equivalent to 1 US dollar. You can imagine what amazing gifts you can gather from Krakow (or Poland in general) and at amazing prices too! Unfortunately, we did not get much time to shop due to the longevity of our tour. It was the best tour one could experience, however, in one day's time.That night, Anna took us out to dinner at one of her favorite Polish restaurants. I must say that I do not think I have ever seen Adam (Adas) so happy. We all started our meal with a traditional Polish soup that Anna said we all had to order called Zurek. Elizabeth and I got a mix of meat and potato pirogi, and Adas got some meat dish. 
Around 8:30 p.m., we met a group of students our age that Anna had set up for us to hang out with. Their names were Magda, Magda's boyfriend Peter, and Magda's friend Magda (2 Magda's and a Peter). Adas, Elzbieta, and I had a fantastic evening with our new Polish friends. We drank Polish beer, danced to Polish music, and toasted even toasted in Polish...Na zdrowie! (pronounced Naz Drovia!). We hope to stay friends with Magda, Peter, and Magda for years to come. 
Early the next morning, we arose for the beginning of a very dismal morning. We knew that if and when we traveled to Krakow, we wanted to see Auschwitz. I knew that it was going to be a very sad beginning to our day, but something that should be seen none the less. If there is anyone who does not believe that this event occurred after seeing Auschwitz, I do not believe that I will ever begin to understand society. It really does leave a horrible feeling in your stomach. I only took a few photos. I think they are self-explanatory. 
Anna packed us snacks for our long journey of touring, including chocolate bars, apples, crackers, and JUICE BOXES (with Looney Toons Characters on them). We were very hungry, and so happy because 1. We felt so lucky to be alive and well, and 2. I don't think any of us had had a juice box in years. It was fun, and we all felt like kids again....AND...luckily, we were headed to a more positive location: Wieliczka.
Smile Adam!
Well, at least he doesn't look so angry in this photo...
We were bused to Wieliczka: the Salt Mines after our dismal morning having signed up for a double-duty sight-seeing day. The salt mines in Krakow are beautiful! And even though were were exhausted after seeing Auschwitz for nearly six hours, we heard that just touring the salt mines will make you live three days longer. Apparently, the salt cures people from asthma and lung infections, among other respiratory infections or issues. There is even a hospital underground where children and adults are placed for 1 - 17 days, and apparently the success rate is very substantial. I had a slight cough, and my cold cleared up entirely two days after our journey underground. Here are some Salt Mine photos: 
All of these figures are carved in nothing but salt. A king, a man with long hair holding a ball (I can't remember who he was), the Blessed Virgin Mary (that was really beautiful)...
These are little knomes made of salt. 
Around 8:30 p.m., we met a group of students our age that Anna had set up for us to hang out with. Their names were Magda, Magda's boyfriend Peter, and Magda's friend Magda (2 Magda's and a Peter). Adas, Elzbieta, and I had a fantastic evening with our new Polish friends. We drank Polish beer, danced to Polish music, and toasted even toasted in Polish...Na zdrowie! (pronounced Naz Drovia!). We hope to stay friends with Magda, Peter, and Magda for years to come. Early the next morning, we arose for the beginning of a very dismal morning. We knew that if and when we traveled to Krakow, we wanted to see Auschwitz. I knew that it was going to be a very sad beginning to our day, but something that should be seen none the less. If there is anyone who does not believe that this event occurred after seeing Auschwitz, I do not believe that I will ever begin to understand society. It really does leave a horrible feeling in your stomach. I only took a few photos. I think they are self-explanatory. Anna packed us snacks for our long journey of touring, including chocolate bars, apples, crackers, and JUICE BOXES (with Looney Toons Characters on them). We were very hungry, and so happy because 1. We felt so lucky to be alive and well, and 2. I don't think any of us had had a juice box in years. It was fun, and we all felt like kids again....AND...luckily, we were headed to a more positive location: Wieliczka. Smile Adam!Well, at least he doesn't look so angry in this photo...We were bused to Wieliczka: the Salt Mines after our dismal morning having signed up for a double-duty sight-seeing day. The salt mines in Krakow are beautiful! And even though were were exhausted after seeing Auschwitz for nearly six hours, we heard that just touring the salt mines will make you live three days longer. Apparently, the salt cures people from asthma and lung infections, among other respiratory infections or issues. There is even a hospital underground where children and adults are placed for 1 - 17 days, and apparently the success rate is very substantial. I had a slight cough, and my cold cleared up entirely two days after our journey underground. Here are some Salt Mine photos: All of these figures are carved in nothing but salt. A king, a man with long hair holding a ball (I can't remember who he was), the Blessed Virgin Mary (that was really beautiful)...These are little knomes made of salt. Adam...in his part of the Salt Mine:)
The Last Supper carved out of salt...again, facinating.
These are mosaics in the salt mine. They hold art exhibitions in the mines as well....
And lastly, this is the Grand Ballroom. Weddings, ceremonies, concerts, and banquets have been held in the beautiful room. We were all facinated by the beautiful light fixtures. They were crafted entirely of salt (besides the wiring and lights themselves).
Anna told us to go to the mall after our sight-seeing as she would not be home until 9 p.m. Now, this mall was one of the nicest and HUGEST malls (outside of the Mall of America) that I have ever seen. It was after I walked out of the beautiful mall and back onto some of the WWII appearing streets of Krakow that I came to realize that is meant by the phrase, "That looks very Polish."
The Last Supper carved out of salt...again, facinating.These are mosaics in the salt mine. They hold art exhibitions in the mines as well....And lastly, this is the Grand Ballroom. Weddings, ceremonies, concerts, and banquets have been held in the beautiful room. We were all facinated by the beautiful light fixtures. They were crafted entirely of salt (besides the wiring and lights themselves). Anna told us to go to the mall after our sight-seeing as she would not be home until 9 p.m. Now, this mall was one of the nicest and HUGEST malls (outside of the Mall of America) that I have ever seen. It was after I walked out of the beautiful mall and back onto some of the WWII appearing streets of Krakow that I came to realize that is meant by the phrase, "That looks very Polish."All three of us were wiped. We went back to Anna's apartment, and there waiting for us on a tray with three clear glasses was a big bottle of the nicest sparkling water. Anna asked us if we were 'starving' or 'very starving'. We were neither as we had eaten at the mall.
Adas was just happy because he was able to buy Mountain Dew (which they do not have here in Ireland or in any of the surrounding countries). He also got more Polish food, and Elizabeth and I tried a kabob (from Eastern Europe)...quite good.
Even though we were not hungry, Anna came scurrying out of the kitchen with tiny bowls full of strawberry gelatin and manderin oranges. I wasn't hungry, but I ate it anyway. It was delicious. Anna opened up what she thought was a bottle of white wine but really champagne and showed us photos of herself, brother, and sister-in-law (Ania) while traveling in America. We are trying to get her to come to the US in the next year so that we can show her some hospitality. 
The next morning, we awoke to a full breakfast. Anna loves Polish china, and we ate on her ornate dishes for all meals at her house. Everything was so beautiful. Sadly, it was time to go to the airport. Anna walked us in, and insisted that we have coffee with her (even though our plane was leaving in 40 minutes, and we had not yet gone through customs...the airport is small). This was not a good idea as we had only made our flight because the plane was running late. God was looking out for us!
And, as we looked out our tiny window while inside the plane, all we could think about was the fact that we had added someone to our family. I cannot wait to see Anna again.
...I think you should consider a trip to Poland.
Even though we were not hungry, Anna came scurrying out of the kitchen with tiny bowls full of strawberry gelatin and manderin oranges. I wasn't hungry, but I ate it anyway. It was delicious. Anna opened up what she thought was a bottle of white wine but really champagne and showed us photos of herself, brother, and sister-in-law (Ania) while traveling in America. We are trying to get her to come to the US in the next year so that we can show her some hospitality. The next morning, we awoke to a full breakfast. Anna loves Polish china, and we ate on her ornate dishes for all meals at her house. Everything was so beautiful. Sadly, it was time to go to the airport. Anna walked us in, and insisted that we have coffee with her (even though our plane was leaving in 40 minutes, and we had not yet gone through customs...the airport is small). This was not a good idea as we had only made our flight because the plane was running late. God was looking out for us!And, as we looked out our tiny window while inside the plane, all we could think about was the fact that we had added someone to our family. I cannot wait to see Anna again.
...I think you should consider a trip to Poland. 
1 comment:
those 2 pics of adam with the juice dont look like him. And make sure you tell him that mountain dew code red is the best!!!!!!!!
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