So I’ve decided to do a comparitive section to highlight the differences we’ve noticed as Americans living in Poland. 

These differences are just our observations, and are only as good as that.

That being said, let’s get on with the first, and most obvious difference: Language

It’s definitely disconcerting to live in a place where you don’t speak the language.  It gives you a newfound respect for people in the US who dont’ speak English.  It also prevents you from ever saying "Why don’t you learn our language" in a spiteful manner ever again.  It’s easy to end up somewhere before you’re completely fluent, or even passable, with a language.  After studying for a few months, Jess and I only have a very basic grasp on the language.  We know some words and phrases – mostly where food is concerned, but I wasn’t able to carry on a conversation with a 5-year old.  Very sobering experience.

The Polish language is at first very intimidating.  The words look alien to a native English speaker.  However, once you learn the rules of pronunciation and wrap your tongue around some of the tougher sounds (there are a few sounds and letter combinations that just don’t exist in English), you can at least read and pronounce just about anything.  There’s not a lot of strange rules.  And after you get used to hearing it, it’s actually a very beautiful language.

The other difficult thing about Polish is that, with most other languages I’ve touched, the verb is the only part that conjugates.  In Polish, the subject and object can change depending on the verb, pluralization, and gender.  It can make the language very daunting.  For example.  Rower is bicycle (Row-vair).  Jedzie na rowerze (Yejay na rovairzheh… zh sounds like the g in garaGe) is "riding a bicycle" (or something close to that).  Make it tough.  Lots to remember, anyways. 

But Polish isn’t the only linguistic difference. 

Unlike the United States – where we are a united, contiguous landmass of country-sized states that all speak the same language, Poland is in the center of Europe.  Europe is a conglomerate of countries different cultures and languages.  These countries are roughly the size of a US state.  Try to imagine if each state spoke a different language and had a different culture.  We may joke about it, but the differences between states are nothing compared to differences between countries in Europe.

The reason I mention this, is that Poland is roughly the size of Ohio…  They import a lot of what they need.  It is not uncommon to find products in other languages with no translation.  Most have multiple languages on the packaging, others have a Polish translation stuck on them. 

To give you an example, in our apartment our washer is all in German.  We’ve seen products in the grocery store entirely in German, Italian, English, Greek, and I think Swedish, or something similar.  And we’ve seen clothing labeled in French, among other languages.  And I don’t doubt that we’ll come across even more.

So it’s very easy to see why someone from Europe would think Americans are ignorant and stupid for only knowing English.  But we’re not really exposed to much else.  There is a fair amount of Spanish, and in some places French, but that’s about it.

So I did a little poking and managed to find the Czersk we went to on the map…  Walking directions put it at around 30-something Km one way…

This isn’t exactly the route we took, but it’s pretty close.  We stayed closer to the Vistula river, I think.

And in case my photos weren’t enough – here’s a satellite image of the castle:

After yesterday’s 70-something Km bike ride, my legs didn’t have a whole lot left to give today.

But we were determined to join the group while Pan Adam gave another of his greatly informative tours.  This time we started at the Palace of Culture.  We actually didn’t get too far, though, and spent the two-hours in and around the palace.  Afterwards we went to a great place for some pierogi!  That was VERY tasty, and Jess was able to get an equally tasty chicken.

I wasn’t sure my legs were going to cooperate, but we tested them with a grocery run in the morning, and they didn’t complain too much.  Even now, after all the walking today, they don’t feel too bad.  I’m guessing that tomorrow I’ll be choking on my words. 

Tomorrow morning I’m going to run over to the nearest well that I know of to fill up some water bottles.  Drinking the water here isn’t recommended, unless it’s from the wells.  Even then, most people suggest we boil it first.  The main concern about the tap water isn’t bacteria so much as it is the heavy metals and other contaminants from the pipes.  We’ll probably pick up a Brita, or other such filtering mechanism device thing.

Anways, all that aside, here are some pictures from the palace for you.  The "Palace" was built by the Russians in the communist era.  It was a "gift" from Stalin.  Adam told us most people have mixed emotions about it.  Similar to the Orthodox church that was built from the previous Russian occupation, it’s primary purpose was to remind people of who was in charge.  That church was torn down when Poland became a separate country after World War I.  This palace still stands, but is also used by the people as a cultural center.  

In addition to the palace, we visited a photograph exhibition from 70s era Poland.  At the time, Poland was still communist and was enjoying a period of stability, if not prosperity.  Life was simple and people needed little but happiness.  But that disappeared in the 80s (along with most of the goods from market shelves).  We learned a lot about the people and how it reflects in their attitudes.

Okay, enough talk.  They say pictures are worth more words, anyways, so take a look-see.  As usual, these will be in my photo gallery, and some will eventually find their way to Facebook and personal e-mails…  but I have a life, too, so I can’t spend all day doing this stuff!!   So enjoy these:

Old Town, as seen (zoomed in) from the 30th floor

 Today we had planned to take a bike trip to Czersk (pronounced chairsk) to see the country, and visit the former capital of Poland, where there was an old castle.  Apparently when the Vistula river changed course, the capital was also moved…  I’m not sure of the details…  I’ll need to do some research!  

Looking at google maps, I don’t think Czersk is actually the name of the town, or maybe it is, but it’s not the one google showed me! That was over 300 Km away…  we only went about 30.  still….  that’s a long bike ride.

No, instead we followed a meandering path south.  Parts were on the road, parts were dirt road.  There were a few designated bike trails and one short trip over a dam.  We passed countless farms and beautiful little houses.  It was so quiet and peaceful, and I didn’t notice any streetlights, which is cool to me.

Anyways, a short 3 hours later, we arrived.  I participated in an archery contest, had a piwo (that’s beer.  Pronounced peevo), climbed the towers, and then we were back on the road.  Needless to say, my legs are barely able to support me, and my eyes are barely open.  So I’ll spare the textual details and get right to the visuals.

Enjoy (these will be available in my photo gallery once I’m awake enough to post them!)
One of the houses along the way

Just one small plot of land.  We passed cabbage, sunflowers, beets, carrots, onions, radishes, pears, apples, plums, cherries, grapes, and I think turnips.

The castle (Zamek?) from circa 14th century… haven’t translated the sign yet, but I have a photo of it!!

Jess in one of the doorways…  those people were SHORT!  (I’m also convinced they had very small feet but LONG legs…  judging by the stairs anyway)

The bridge where we entered, as seen from the lower point of one of the towers – just atop the wall.

View of the courtyard from atop one of the towers.

Okay, that’s all you get for now.. I’m about to pass out!!!

So today was my second bike ride in with Jess, and the first one in the style that the rest will likely be.  What I mean by that is that I didn’t go in to the school with her, and instead just rode up to the gate and parted ways there.

All told, the ride was roughly an hour long.  At one point there are 100-meter markings on the road leading up to the red beer tents, as we call them.  I measured with my highly sensitive, scientific equipment (read: wristwatch), and we were traveling each 100 meters in almost exactly 20 seconds.  So, with some power-math, I came up with our speed of 30 kmph (18.64 mph).  We didn’t stay at that speed the whole way, because there are a few turns, but I’d say we didn’t average too far below that.

The ride is pretty nice.  The bike trail is actually a paved road for about 3/4 of the trip, with the last bit being pretty well packed dirt.  On the way we pass a few small establishments, including the beer tents, a gardening store, and a housing complex that we looked at.  There are a lot of farm fields, and the whole way is tree-lined. 

Some of the traffic lights were out this morning, so we had to wait for the huge line of cars to pass before we could cross.  

Well, I haven’t had breakfast yet, and I need to shower, too, before I get to work.  I’d better go do that.

Yesterday I rode down to the school with Jess.  It was a great little morning leg-stretch.  I was pretty pooped after I got back, though.  It’s about a 30 minute ride each way, and I haven’t done much exercise lately.  Since we’ve been in Poland I’ve had more meat and beer than I can remember!

But I’ve got to say…  having no car and using a bike to get everywhere… VERY cool.

Anyways, I’d promised bicycle (rower in Polish, pronounced rove-air) pictures, so here you go!  Enjoy them while I try to figure out what to do about my bank card being taken by the machine (apparently calling their 800 number and telling them you’re moving to Europe for 2 years, and they say they put a note on the account – it means they didn’t do squat and they’re going to take your card away as soon as you run out of cash… assholes).

Tom’s:

Jess’:

Today was probably the first "normal" day we’ve had so far.  

Jess had a full day of work with no special activities afterwards, and without me coming to the school as well.  They still had meetings and meet-and-greet activities, but for the most part, they worked.  Still just in preparation, and not actually in the swing of regular class schedules yet, but normal enough to know what to anticipate.

I rolled out of bed around 7am and cleaned up quickly.  Then I went to my desk in the spare room with my bowl of cereal and started checking e-mail.  There wasn’t much, since I had checked over the weekend (a danger of having work only one room away).  I started by picking off the small, easy tasks, then settled into the large, lengthy work I had lined up for myself.  Since I still hadn’t had any word back from several of my other, large projects, I have created some work myself to keep the website back-ends up and running smoothly, as well as providing some interface updates.

But, boring stuff aside, I got in about 10 hours, then we biked over for some pizza with a few of the other teachers.  Jess had tomatoes and mozzarella, so she was still hungry when we got back, and after she did some work, she made herself some pasta.

One of the things I did today to break up the work was to look more into the tension between the US and Russia, due to the missile defense deal.  Anyone who knows me knows that I despise weapons technology as much as I’m fascinated by it.  The parts I don’t like are the obvious killing aspect, and the less obvious business aspect.  Having worked for a defense contractor, I know that these guys lobby for legislation similar to the missile defense system.  Granted, these types of things are always well justified, but at the same time, the companies that make this stuff are whispering in the politicians ears.  Something about that raises the hairs on my neck.

But, politics aside, today was a pretty calm, normal day.  It’s interesting to be in a place so foreign, yet to do all of the normal things, like go to work.  One thing I did learn today, is that weekdays will be pretty exhausting, and weekends we will need to rally up our energy and go exploring!

Oh, one other thing before I forget…  I had an idea to write a story where the English words are slowly replaced with foreign words.  It would be a way of learning a language almost without noticing.  I’m not sure how well it would work, but it was something I was thinking of…  Maybe I’ll test it out in my blog!!  You may be a guinea pig, and not even know it…  mwahahaha

Today is my 29th birthday.  It’s the first birthday I’ve celebrated in another country.  

We actually played it pretty low-key today.  Jess worked on her paper (as she is again right now).  I read a bit, and we also did a little housework.  Later, I finished one of the websites I’d been slowly working on for my business (Rykus Design).

Then we loaded up the bikes and went grocery shopping.  We tried a new place, a MokPol out near a few friends of ours, up Sobieskiego.  We also timed it so that we’d be there while most of the population was at church.  When we got there, there was only one other woman and her son in the whole store.  Quite a relief from the previous night where being elbow to elbow and not knowing much of the language was a bit too much for us.

Later on we went back to ?azienki (Wa-g(as in garaGe)ee en-kee) Park for a piano concert.  It was very nice.  The weather was cloudy, cold, and windy, but it was a relief from the oppressive heat we’ve experienced since we arrived over two weeks ago (has it been that long?!).  The threat of rain hung ominously, but never came to fruition. 

Afterwards we trekked back to the czekolady (check-o-lah-dee) and desery (deh-seh-ree) restaurant for some drinking chocolate.  Jess’ social buddies, John and Rachael, met us there after their movie.  It was nice to sit and chat with them for a while.  They’re really nice, and I’m glad we were grouped with them.  I can tell we’re going to get along well.

I did remember to take pictures of our drinks – which weren’t as fancy as last time.  but they’re still on the camera, and I’m feeling pretty lazy right now.  We went last night, but they were closed, or else I’d have put those pictures up by now.

I also need to get some pictures of my rower (roh-vare – it’s polish for bicycle) up, too, don’t I?  I’ll get there.  Probably tomorrow between work, when I need a break.

All in all, it was a nice relaxing day in which I was able to relax and get some stuff accomplished all at the same time.

I was always tought, and always believed, that things happen for a reason.  After reading "The Celestine Prophesy", I paid more attention to these things, and try to make sure and follow through.

I had a good reminder of this on Thursday.

ASW was having a BBQ, welcoming the new and returning teachers back to the school.  I was invited as well, but had to work that day, so once I was finished I gathered up my things and hopped on the bus.

On my way to the bus, I realized that I had forgotten Jess’ sunglasses.  This was the first clue that my brain wasn’t in gear.

As the bus approached my stop, I pressed the button indicating that I wanted to stop there.  This is only required for a few of the stops, this being one of them.  The bus squeezed out of traffic and pulled up to the stops, but the doors didn’t open.  I’d been warned about this, but hadn’t expected it.  You see, in the winter time (and apparently other times as well), the bus doors don’t all open when the driver stops.  Instead, you need to press the button to open your doors.

Well, by the time I’d realized my doors weren’t opening, the bus was moving again.  Right then, I definitely felt like a tourist.  It was hard to believe we’d been here two weeks alread! 

Anyways, I got off at the next stop, face still red.  It was also the last stop before the bus crossed the "out-of-town" line, and became more expensive. 

The stop wasn’t too far from the school, so I decided rather than to chance another bus ride, that I would walk.  The weather was still good, if a bit hot, and I had been stuck indoors all day, unmoving behind my desk.  If nothing else, my underused muscles craved the exercise. 

On the way I passed a small outdoor bike shop, and made a mental note of it.  After the BBQ I decided to go back and take a look, rather than to ignore this coincidence.  Sure enough, I found a good bike at a decent price.  It was around 780 pln (or roughly 370 USD).  It had front shocks, but not rear, and looked like a pretty good rig.  I’d need to put air in the tires soon, but I finally had transportation!

Living without a car has been challenging at first, but as with all addictions, once you’re off it for a while, it’s not so bad.  Having a bicycle was a huge help, though.  Living in a city, it’s much easier to get around than walking, and things aren’t so far away as to require a car.  There are definitely times we miss having a car (think IKEA!), but we get by fine without one so far. 

We’re still learning the lay of the land, looking for places to get the things we need.  We’re also working on our Polish language skills.  I have to say, we’re not doing too shabby.  We got compliments today from the girl working at the sports store, where I got new pedals and a storage pouch for my bike.  She said she thought we were Polish!  Kudos to us!  It only lasted a few seconds, though.  But she helped us with larger numbers, as did the girl at the health food store.

Tomorrow is my birthday, and we’re planning on going out for a concert and some drinks.  Should be a good time!  We had a get-together at one of the returning teachers’ apartments on Friday.  I got to ride my bike there and back and try out all our new lights.  We had a huge storm, and it was raining a bit still when we left, but it tapered off quickly and we only got a little damp, but the water levels were really high! 

Today (Saturday) was pretty low-key.  We tried out some stores at the closest mall, but they were packed, so we just ended up stocking up on gluten-free foods and some bike parts, then headed over to Ohhhh Sushi for lunch.  That was a good lunch, and it was also refreshing at how many people understand what Gluten-Free means!  So far, more than half of the places understand when she asks for "bezglutinowy" (bez-glu-teen-oh-vey).  One place even laughed and said "Of course, it’s just beets!"  Though we’ve had a few of the opposite problems, such as the crackers she ordered that were labeled "gluten-free" on the website, but had "Wheat" clearly listed on the ingredients.

Well, that’s it for me today.  I’m going to try to get in the habbit of writing more frequently, but it’s easy to get caught up in all the excitement of being in a new country and exploring!  Next weekend we’re planning a 70-something Km bike trip south to see some castles.  I’m excited!  We also need to plan our vacations!

Well, right now I’m off for some drinking chocolate (if they’re still open).  mmmmmmm.  I’ll bring the camera and share

On Saturday we took a tour of Warsaw’s Old Town (Stare Miasto).  Unfortunately I’m only just getting the chance to put this experience (and the photos that go with it) to print, but I don’t think I’ve lost much of that experience.

Our tour guide, pan Adam, teaches Polish at the school with Jess, and is very knowledgeable of Polish history.

We started by grabbing dinner at a small cafe, just inside of Plac Zamkowy.  After that we met up with everyone and started our tour.  Adam pointed out that the city had been all but completely destroyed (85% destroyed, as we’d later find out), and nearly all of the structures we would see were in fact replicas.  

We started our tour where the city began, and where the reconstruction symbolically began.  From there we wove around the city, seeing the historical buildings and learning of their significance.  Our tour followed the flow of history, more or less.  During this time we learned a lot that I had never learned, or had forgotten.  One thing I learned was that for a period 150 years, Polish people had no land.  Additionally, the Polish kingdoms had been repeatedly sacked and carved up.  

But we also learned that despite the constant attacks, the Polish people lived on.

Initially, Warsaw was not the capital, but rather the central meeting point for many of the wealthy and important people of the Polish kingdom, which stretched farther North and South than it does now.  Due to this, Warsaw became a center for finery and fashion, and was called the Paris of Eastern Europe.

This all ended with the coming wars.  The land was once again divided and bombed into ruin.  

Poland was one of (if not the) first country after the USA to have a constitution.  This constitution was also the only one aside from America’s that gave Jews freedom.  Due to this, the largest populations of Jews were in New York City and Warsaw.  Then WWII happened, and Hitler’s horrible ethnic cleansing began.  

We learned about the atrocities to mankind that transpired during this time, as well as the selfless heroics.  We learned how the Jewish children would smuggle goods and arms into the ghetto, and of the Jewish rebellion, and the Warsaw uprising that would later follow in it’s wake.  

We learned that the world can be a horrible place, but in the midst of our darkest days is where we can find our brightest light of courage and determination.  

As the day wore on, so did our emotions.  After lunch the group was much more silent.  Some of us were on the verge of tears for the rest of the day.  Though we were now much more silent and saddened, our eyes were now more open.  When we looked at the buildings, we no longer saw the architecture or the stores and restaurants within…  We saw the spirit of people who refuse to be conquered.  Who demand freedom, and peace.  We saw the men, women, and children who struggled and died so that we can have a cup of coffee on a corner cafe.  

Our lesson that day was not in history, but in respect and humility..

When we first arrived, I observed a young girl move from her seat on a crowded bus when an elderly women entered.  She said nothing, and did not ask or wait to be prompted.  As soon as she saw the old woman, she moved.  At first I thought that it was very respectful, and that they had respect for the aging and the physical difficulties that came with it.  After the tour I learned the real reason she moved.  Sure, age was a factor, but the amount of respect and honor they feel for those who struggled before them.  Bowing to the weight our elders bore for us.  That is why she moved without a second thought.

I learned something else that day.  Something not historically true, but true nonetheless.  I learned that the Polish Eagle, present sometimes on their flag, is not an eagle at all.  

It’s a Phoenix.