22nd March 2011

It's been almost a week since I wrote. And there's been so many things that I wanted to share about. I guess after a week everything is put into perspective and the things that seemed to be impressive are no longer as impressive as first thought. But there is one thing that I found amazing and I have to share with you.

If you know me well, you'll know that I love going to places where I know that there were people looking at the same thing many years ago. Well, on Saturday (11th) and Sunday (12th) while I was still in Warsaw I got to walk through the section of the city of Warsaw where the Jewish Ghetto used to be. I even saw the place where the wall stood that seperated the Ghetto from the rest of the city, and where so many people were shot in cold blood.

To tell you the truth, it was hard. I don't cry, as most of you know, but I did secretly shed a tear. How could I not when I was looking at a building where families had been shot dead in cold blood, where lives were destroyed and families split never to be united again, where people would be packed into wagons like sardines and taken to be exterminated like vermin. Just the thought of it makes me sick. How could people have been so evil?

As I walked down the street peering into the windows and alleyways of the derelict building that have been sanctioned off for renovation. I was sad, but not only for the tragic history and the pain that so many people had to endure--I can't even imagine the pain--but for the fact that soon those buildings would be changed, renovated, re-newed.

In a way I understand that the buildings need to be renovated and rebuilt. It's logical that updates to the buildings need to be made simply for health and safety of the public. But you see, when these changes will be made I won't be able to say that I touched the same brick that someone running away from the Gestapo would've touched. It's not so much the physical building, it's about the link that they provide between me, a person living in the 21st Century and those that have come before me and endured hardships just so that I could say that I am free.

Warsaw has many buildings and beautiful places to offer, but as my friend pointed out, most of them are not the originals. During the war most buildings were blown up by the enemy with the aim of eradicating Warsaw from the map of the world. Warsaw once used to be the envy of many, it used to be called the Paris of the east. The fact that there are so few original buldings, makes all the buildings that remain, all the more precious and priceless. At least in my eyes.

First Week in Poland

My first week in Poland has been varried. I have tried to write a bit during the last few days but I have either been interupted or have been too exhausted to write. So I'll include some of my impressions as snippets of my writing and reflections.

15th March

My first week so far has been quite relaxing. I haven't formally started work yet so I've had some time to do some sight-seeing and to spend quality time with family and friends. I've also had a chance to learn a bit about my culture and to emerge myself in the Polish language. I've been loving it. It still doesn't feel like I've moved here. It still feels like I'm on holidays, probably because I've been doing some touristy things. It's actually quite fun.

The other day I went to the Museum of Fryderyk Chopin. Chopin was one of the most famous composers, piantists and music teachers of the Romanic music that the world has seen to date. Many people have heard of Chopin and his music but not many people know that he was of Polish and French descent, interesting combination if you ask me.

Polish people are very proud of the rich heritage of music that Chopin brought during the 17th Century and of the impact that his music is still having on the world today.

Previous to my visit to the museum I have only heard snippets of Chopin's music but haven't had a chance to appreciate the art that he brought into this world. But as I sat there in the museum, in specially-made sound caves, I came to appreciate the artistic nature of Chopin's music. It amazed me how Chopin was able to encapsulate the essence of a nation, the people and the customs in a piece of music that is so beautiful and so heartful. As I listened to Poloneise I felt like the music spoke of the simple life of Polish people, their joyous outlook and willingness to celebrate life, the cheekiness of my people and so many elements that are so familiar to me yet are so hard to describe. In a way, I guess I felt like the music defined me --the person I am and the person that I want to be.

After that visit I vowed that I want to go to a concert. My friend told me that during summer they have out-door concerts in the Łazienki Park in Warszaw. So the plan is to go there and see one of those concerts. Like I said it's truely beautiful.

Welcome to My Year of Adventure

Since I was 18 years old I had a dream of moving to Poland to get know my Polish culture better.

I moved to Australia in 1996, which is 15 years ago. At that stage I was only a young girl of 11 years. Life for me was all about piggy tails, school and playing with friends. At that age I did not take notice of things such as culture or tradition, things that I now feel are something that I have missed out on over the years.

Elements of my heritage are ingrained in me, yet I long to know what they mean, where they originate and how have they helped to form who I am today and what I hold dear. So my aim for this year is to learn as much about my own culture while living in Poland.

I also hope to travel as much as I can, as it's something that I love doing and something that helps to form more of who I am today.

So over the next 12 months, I hope to share stories with you about my experiences, about the people I encounter, about the places I believe you should visit and the reflections that I come to as a result of my adventures.

I hope that you enjoy these posts. Feel free to leave comments, to ask questions and to offer advice. I want to make this blog a place where I can not only share about my experinces but about making these experinces yours as well.