Recent News!

So I have some exciting news! I have received my official acceptance letter from Anadolu University in Eskisehir, Turkey! SO it's official, I begin classes in Turkey on February 14, 2011! It's crazy, this stuff is actually becoming a reality, I'M MOVING TO TURKEY! Actually, there is one thing standing in my way, a visa. Getting a visa, as a Canadian, in Poznan, Poland, involves a trip by 3 hour train to Warsaw, finding the Turkish Consulate, having all the right papers with me, applying in the morning, leaving my passport there, returning in the afternoon for my passport (if it's ready) then travelling by 3 hour train, again, back to Poznan! It will be a bit rushed, a bit last minute (I have to bring my Turkish friend, Selin, with me), and a bit stressful. I think in the long run though, everything HAS to work out, and everything will be ok :) Living abroad for... how long has it been? 3 months... give or take, already has allowed me to just look at everything from a positive angle. Things are always going to be difficult, but you have to roll with the punches, and everything will be ok! That's all from me for now!

Isn't it exciting :)
xoxo From Poland

Krakow, November 2010

I don't know where to begin! I apologize for having not written a blog for so long, but I will now make up for my absence :)

Krakow, Cracow, Cracovie, Krakau, Kraków... how ever you wish to spell it, is spectacular. An ancient capital now boasts an electric night life as well as a beautiful historical side. It is without a doubt one of the most beautiful cities I have ever visited, and one that you could visit a million times and never see or understand it completely. From the twisting streets, to the Jewish quarter (Kazimierz), to the underground clubs, Krakow is definitely a city worth visiting (numerous times if possible). 

Kinga and I before body-checking our way to our seats

Our trip began at 23.12 at the Poznan Główny (train station, pronounce Gwuvny, kind of). Train stations are one thing, Polish train stations are a completely different thing. Chaotic and frantic, finding the seats of 50 some odd (non-polish) people wasn't easy. We had reserved seats, but people were sitting in them.  We had so many seats in a compartment (6) and they were split throughout wagon 14, and 7 seats in 2nd class. I would highly recommend travelling first class for an overnight train though... Hat's off to Paulina, the main ESN member during the trip... it wasn't easy, but she did an absolutely amazing job! It took probably an hour for us to finally get seated, and everyone was all mixed up. Throughout the 7.5 hour train ride I slept about 45 minutes; excitement and lack of room kept me up, but some needed sleep more than me anyway. 

We arrived in Krakow at approximately 6.45 and set off to the hostel. Once there we settled down for breakfast and a quick nap. We then saw the city. 

Day One

St. Mary's 

Like I said, Krakow is amazing, and my pictures do no justice. It seems like all Polish history originated, passed through or ended in Krakow. The weather wasn't exactly in our favor, but it didn't snow, which was a bonus! We began where all tours should, in the Rynek, or Market. Here we found St. Mary's Church (Basilica), Cloth Hall, and more. We then set off towards what I think was a monastery... but Jan Pawel (Pope John Paul) visited it... and you can buy pope coins... We then saw the courtyard of the University, unfortunately, throughout the whole tour, I had difficulties hearing the guide, so my information about what we saw is limited. Shortly after seeing the University we passed by Wawel (Vavel) Castle. This is one thing I want to go back to Krakow and explore more throughly. The exterior was amazing, and you got a good view of the city itself. Because we just went on a short tour, and like I said, I couldn't hear the guide, I don't have any information about the castle. Here is a link to the castle's website: http://www.wawel.krakow.pl/en/index.php?op=3, if you are looking for more information. The castle dates back hundreds of years; the first historical leader of Poland; Meiszko I and his successors used Wawel as one of their residences. Wawel has also become the final resting place of numerous leaders and national heroes from Poland. Due to the war, many priceless artifacts, works of art, ect. were taken from Wawel.Some made their way to Canada, actually, and were returned after the war. During the war, Hans Frank, the German Governor General at the time lived there. The legend of the founding of Krakow also revolves around this castle, and the dragon Smok Wawelski. 

Smok Wawelski

"A popular version of the Wawel Dragon tale takes place in Kraków during the reign of king Krakus, the city's legendary founder. Each day the evil dragon would beat a path of destruction across the countryside, killing people, pillaging their homes and devouring their livestock. In many versions of this story, the dragon especially enjoyed eating young girls, and could only be appeased if the townfolk would leave a young girl in front of his cave once a month. The King certainly wanted to put a stop to that awful situation, but his bravest knights fell to the dragon's fiery breath. In the versions involving the sacrifice of young girls, every girl in the city was eventually sacrificed except one, the King's daughter Wanda. In desperation, the King promised his beautiful daughter's hand in marriage to anybody who could defeat the dragon. Great warriors from near and far fought for the prize and failed. One day, a poor cobbler's apprentice named Dratewka accepted the challenge. He stuffed a lamb with sulphur and set it outside the dragon's cave. The dragon ate it and soon became incredibly thirsty. No amount of water could quell his stomach ache, and after swelling up from drinking half of the Vistula river, he exploded. The apprentice married the King's daughter as promised and they lived happily ever after."

Scene from Schindler's List

Schindler's List is an outstanding film, and everyone (who can handle it) must watch it. This man was a real person who managed to save over 1,000 Jew from death camps by providing work for them. Steven Spielberg was the director of the film, and we walked through the streets in which it was shot. The movie is not easy to watch, and it will not leave you which "good feelings" but it allows us, especially living in Canada, to get a bigger picture of what happened during the war. 

We visited the "Jewish Quarter" or Kazimierz. By 1630 over 4,500 Jews in Diaspora lived and worked in Kazimierz. There are some doors where you can still see Mezuzah marks on the frames. A Mezuzah is a decorative kind of box that holds a specific piece of the Hebrew Torah and is touched as one passes through the door. 

I am sure I have missed a few steps there, but eventually we returned to the market, just as the bugler was playing from the top windows of St. Mary's... so that was kind of nifty. Everyone was absolutely exhausted, and we made our way back to the hostel to nap and prepare for the night!!

Selin and I 

on tram! 

Of course I slept in, and had, give-or-take, 10 minutes to prepare for the party that night. You know how at home we rent party-buses, or limos? Here there are party TRAMS. ESN Krakow has this thing set up, and you rent A WHOLE TRAM for 2 or so hours, with a DJ, and you just cruise around... drinking and dancing. It is WITHOUT a doubt that is the most fun I have had on a tram yet! When the tram dropped us off we had... a bit of walking to a club. It was fun as well! And close to the hostel (we of course managed to get lost) and that was the first day/night in Krakow!

Day Two 

"Work will make you free"

The next day was a difficult one. We visited the Auschwitz death camp outside of Krakow. In 1940 the Nazis opened the camp. There were actually three camps under the name Auschwitz. There is Auschwitz I, Auschwitz II-Birkenau, and Auschwitz III-Monowitz. Initially there were only Poles in the camp, but in 1942 they were joined by Soviet POW's, Roma (Gypsies), and Jews. The majority of Jews that were sent to Auschwitz were immediately directed to the Birkenau gas chambers. Elderly people, pregnant women and children composed most of the populations sent directly to the gas chambers. It is estimated that 1,100,000 Jews were sent to the camp, 150,000 Poles, 23,000 Roma, 15,000 Soviet POW's, and OVER 10,000 prisoners from other countries. The Gate to Auschwitz I reads: "Arbeit macht frei", or "Work will make you free". Walking under the gate it was almost like you could sense just how much wrong had happened behind the barbed wire fences. Auschwitz camp itself was originally Polish army barracks, the Germans just took over the buildings when they took the surrounding country side and towns. 

Electrified barbed wire fences

When prisoners stepped off the train, after 5-7 days of travelling without food, water, or sanitation, they were met on the platform by the camp doctor. There he would send them right or left, essentially, life, or death. 70-75% of people stepped off the trains, and into gas chambers. In the chambers Zyklon-B was dumped through the chimneys. Within 20 minutes 340-2,000 people were dead (depending on which camp they were sent to). After the gas, the bodies were picked over and the heads shaved to be burned in the crematorium. These people didn't even know what was happening. They were told that after there long train ride they were going to get a shower. There were 2 rooms in the gas chamber. One was the "Undressing Room", men, women, girls, boys, babies, elderly... they were all forced to strip together and leave their clothes for collection (and ultimately re-sale). They were then all forced into the chamber, and the door was locked. It was then that the Zyklon-B was poured in, killing everyone in the room.

 The Auschwitz Museum is set up in the actual barracks, where these people were stored like cattle. We saw photos of people getting off the trains after having to pack up anything that mattered to them in 20 minutes, in one suitcase. There were 2 rooms in the camp that all valuable items would go into. It was called the "So-Called-Canada" which, our guide told us, symbolized hope or opportunity. Soldiers would take possession of the bags and toss them in a pile, to be gone through later. In one room there was a whole display case... and I mean a display case bigger than my room, full of human hair. The hair was shaved off every prisoner, dead or alive, and used to make fabric. Fabric that lined the uniforms was made out of human hair, humans wore this. It's like cannibalism; sick and unnecessary. The army sold the hair to factories, and profited off the sales. There was another display full of glasses, like spectacles, the glasses of any value had been sold, of course. One was full of shoes, not leather, because those were sold; one was full of prosthetic limbs. Another display held only suitcases, all of dead prisoners. The guide told us a story of one of the cases. A man came to see the museum, a former victim of the camp. He was going through and was told that the cases belonged to people who had been killed in the camp. It was then that he recognized his own case. With his name, and arrival date at the camp, but he survived. 

Display of glasses

Up until about this point, I was doing ok... not great but ok. My eyes were dry and I could digest the information to remember it later. But when our guide spoke of the children, and what happened to them, I had to take my headset off, compose myself, and put it back on. 1.5 million children are estimated to have died in Auschwitz, but that is a rough estimate because at the beginning every child was sent directly to the gas chambers. It wasn't until the end, when Nazis were saving gas, and needing small hands, were any children saved, if that is what you want to call it. These children did nothing wrong, besides being born in the wrong place, at the wrong time, and into the wrong religion. They could never have known what life has to offer, because they never had the opportunity. It still sickens me. Children are too special and innocent to be murder amidst strangers... for no one to ever know them, everyone that loved them either dying with them, or bound to die within months, sometimes days. It was the display with baby booties, and clothing small enough for a 2 year old that my eyes grew wet, and stomach turned. 

The hallway outside was lined with photos of prisoners, all of which perished at Auschwitz. Men, women, young men and women. The next room was the room I couldn't enter. Prisoners were tattooed with numbers and symbols. Each symbol displaying why they were there, political, Jew, political Jew... you get the idea? I kept my headset on... thinking I at least owe these people enough to listen to their story, even if I couldn't look at their faces. 

There were kids in the camp being punished because their parents were politically active. These kids were 16 or younger. My sister is 16... her friends are worried about getting their hair done, or their first car. Not about surviving the night, freezing, and wondering if and when their next meal would come. Kids shouldn't have to worry like that. They should be playing in the sun, laughing, and getting sick off too much candy... It was the stories of children that burn in my memory, and I honestly hope, will forever remain that way. We... I don't appreciate just having the freedom to... do anything! Move to Poland... see the world, drink a beer... you know? It was hearing the stories of these children never even given the opportunity to think of doing the things I have done, that really made Auschwitz a reality to me. 

We moved on to the next barrack, which specialized in torture. There was the dark cell, no light and no air, which led to suffocation. There was the hunger cell, starvation took hold quickly when malnourished prisoners were punished. Then the guide said the last one was the worst. There was a small, hallow column, with a small hole at ground level. People were forced to crawl through this hole, and were packed into this column, with no room to sit. They had to stand all night long, work the next day, and stand all night long again. Death by exhausted soon occurred.  

The night after Auschwitz we went out, again! The club was underground (like most seem to be here) and was… ok. But after the day we had I don’t know how many people really felt like going out, but we toughed it out for a little bit but then decided to turn home. Selin and I really didn’t have a ton to drink, but it was without a doubt one of the best walks home I have ever had. We were just running around Krakow, jumping off stuff, I was just… fun J.

Day Three

underground chapel 

The next day we visited the salt mine; Wieliczka. Wieliczka was amazing! There was an underground chapel (Chapel of St. Kinga) and the whole trip was through an 2,000 meter underground museum. Wieliczka  was originally one of Poland’s most productive salt mines dating back over 900 years. It used to be one of the world's biggest and most profitable industrial establishments when common salt was commercially a medieval equivalent of today's oil. Throughout the whole tour (which took roughly 3 hours) we were constantly going farther underground, the deepest point being 135 meters, but the mine’s depth exceeds 300 meters. It is actually a UNESCO World Heritage Site as well, I believe. (Or at least entered in the register?)

Rynek by night

Following our trip to Wieliczka we had some free time in the market, then caught the train home J

best soup EVER

skyline

Overall, the Krakow and Auschwitz trip was a fantastic, memorable experience. The city and the museums is something/somewhere that everyone should have the opportunity to visit. The experience allowed me to learn, and be inspired to learn more, about the history behind Poland and the people that inhabit the country I now live in. Although my stay in Poland is temporary, the things I have learned here, and the people I have met and those that have supported me in this experience, will always be influence my actions and thoughts.
xoxo From Poland 

Berlin, October 2010 *Warning, this is a VERY long one

Where to start!! Berlin was amazing, especially going there as a history student... and being from Canada (having been so far away from the actual war). We have seen just about everything about Berlin I saw throughout school, at every level. So that part was the craziest. And! I must apologize for the delay in my writing this. Everything is sort of going haywire right now!
Anyways, my story of Berlin.
We left Poznan around... what was it? One... two? Something-a-rather. Anyways. It was my first time on a train in Europe, and I was abnormally excited, and then I fell asleep... (Just like I always have do on trips... my ability to sleep anywhere comes in handy while travelling). When we arrived in Berlin it was surreal. I was on a train for 3 1/2 hours and suddenly I am in Germany... I know you can do that back home, but what's exciting about Montana? Nothing. Anyways. Group pictures with the "Berlin Hauptbahnhof" train station sign... at least I think that's how you spell it. But I didn't have a clue of what to do after that (learned my lesson... flying by the seat of your pants whilst travelling is exciting, but not in a group of 30 students, half of which were... er... a few beer deep) But we made it to the train station, caught an inner city train and eventually found the hostel... in west Berlin. And when I say west... I mean... WEST Berlin. The only thing close to us was Charlottenburg (I don't know if I spelt it right, but it's a castle... which is my favvvve thing about Europe... So I am ok with that). The hostel was actually really, really nice (better than I expected, after hearing hostel horror stories) and there were 15 of us in the room... all in bunks. It was awesome... lol, until Roberto and Amaury decided to waltz in at like.. 6:30 am, turning the lights on and singing... but we still love them :). Once everyone had their bed made and was ready to roll we went in search of food. By this time it was dark outside, and I personally had no idea where we were going. All was well until the first restaurant didn't have room for us... of course, setting out on this trek, we didn't foresee this issue, so we set off for another one. Still no room. FINALLY we found an old school diner willing to take us all... after we persuaded them, of course. So we went in to eat. Now, I must bring to your attention that we hadn't eaten since Poznan, at around 11 ... and it was now... what? 20/21? So starvation was setting in. Kinga and I decided to order a drink, thinking that food would be out shortly. Well our drinking beat the food. And 1 drink it we were certifiably drunk. Round two came about and so did our burgers. My first burger since arriving in Europe, and OH MY GOD, don't get me started on how amazing it was. Jalapenos, cheese, ketchup, bacon... what more could an Albertan girl want right? Dinner was done, and so was my energy. After catching another tram to the pub district... type thing... and once again having troubles in finding a space for everyone... the majority of the group headed for home, promptly passing out upon reaching our destination. That is until the guys came home... but Adam told them to shut up. And peace was once restored. And that is my first hours in Berlin.
The next day, in my excitment (get this) I was the first one awake... crazy, I know. But it happened. Everyone soon followed, and soon enough, we had eaten some breakfast (hello chocolate pastry) and were off. I had my heart set on a segway tour (I am in love) but settled for a bike tour. Kalle, Dan, Torsten, Kinga and I, in our hurry to catch a train and make it in time, separated from the group. Do you think we made the tour? Of course not... but not to worry, a few hours of aimlessly wandering and trying to decipher German signs, we settled for a free walking tour, and I certainly wasn't disappointed. Our guide was spectacular.
While wandering, we got off the train at Alexanderplatz station and boom, there is the Berlin TV tower. 368 meters makes it the tallest building in Germany. There was a church next to the tower, and it really demonstrates how Europe embraces the new, but holds on to the old. That was somewhat off topic.ANYways. We took photos on the fountain with... Poseidon, I would guess, chillin in the middle, then went off in search of adventure.
Walking down the street you reach, I believe, the Berlin Cathedral.Which I have... WAY too many pictures of. Apparently it looks like architectural vomit, but I enjoyed looking at it. I couldn't persuade anyone to come inside with me (it cost like, €6 so I didn't go, but I don't doubt that I will be back to Berlin one day). Anyway, we saw that... and I will just remind you that we are still wandering aimlessly until the free tour starts. The found the statue of Marx and Engels in the park... that was pretty cool, after learning so much about them during school. Passed by the Altes Museum (hope I am spelling things right here) and on to a bratwurst stall. Ohhhhh my goodness. Talk about yummy. Hunger being satisfied we were off to what we thought was the meeting point for the tour. Oh when Kinga and I have blonde moments, we take them seriously. We were in the wrong spot and set off RUNNING (almost, come on, Taylor? Running? Nah) towards Brandenburg Gate (or Tor in German). After what felt like a century we reached our destination even though we were 10/15 minutes late, luck was on our side and the tour was still there.
So our tour began at the infamous Brandenburg Gate. The same gate that Napoleon marched through, the same one that lost the horses on top to the French and once they were back where they belonged the square (or Plaz) was name Pariser Platz. (Lady..I think) Victory is on top, so it demonstrated how they had "Victory over the French", and IRONICALLY, the head of the woman is turned towards the French embassy (thank you mr. amazing tour guide for that tidbit). ALSO in the same square is Hotel Adlon, and for those up-to-date on your 21st century celebrity facts, you know that that hotel has the King of Pop himself hung his baby out the window. It is also a STUPIDLY expensive hotel that I can only dream of one day spending a night at.
On we went, through the Brandenburg gate and from where we stood for the next bit of information, you could see the Reichstag, or the German Parliament buildings. After a wee walk we ended up at the Holocaust Memorial. I personally thought it was amazing. All these stone columns ranging in height from a few inches tall to towering over our heads. Flowing in a sort of wave, short ones on the outside, taller towards the middle. The man who designed the memorial never disclosed how one is to interpret it. There are numerous theories. It could represent the rise and fall of Hitler and the Nazi party. How cold and small you could have felt when the party was in it's prime. Although it is near the heart of the city, when you walk through it everything kind of gets cut off.... it's one of those things that you almost have to see to really understand.
Following that somber experience we were off to the site of the Fuhrerbunker, which is the site that Hitler himself committed suicide. There is now a car park on top. The German government didn't want to attach any... emotion (? right word?) to the site, and it went unmarked for sometime. Now there is a sign marking the spot, but nothing more. The bunker itself is apparently still intact, below ground, but closed off. It was a somewhat chilling experience knowing that one of the most notorious, and at the end, crazy, murderer died somewhere below my feet, but something that everyone visiting Berlin must experience.
We then saw a building that was built while the Nazi's were in power. It is a cold and heartless building, and that was the intention while building it. It was to be impose fear upon the people. Later when the communists got there, they also used the building, and now that the Germans have it back, its the tax... place (collecting agency... extension of government... I don't know the right word). That building has been hated by everyone the whole of it's existence, and you can't blame anyone for doing so. There was actually communist artwork on the side (lets not remember that the wall fell 20 some odd years ago) and it depicts everything exactly how you learn it in school. Everything happy, everyone working and looking healthy. Crazy how much social actual teaches you without you realizing it ;).
We then saw a portion of the Berlin wall. Our guide seriously must have millions of stories about brave escapes from the East to the West, many of them having failed. We learn about the "Cold War" and the "Iron Curtain" so much in school, it almost becomes a myth. Then you see it, really understand what it was, and what it did to people, and it becomes real. Shockingly real, actually. Knowing that so many people were cut off from everything. They cut a CITY in half, they cut peoples lives... in half. I just don't understand what possesses people to do something like that. Enough of my ranting, on with my attempt at a typed tour of Berlin... HA
Checkpoint Charlie was next of course. ANOTHER one of those things you always hear about but never understand (I am an admitted history buff, I love this stuff... sorry, but I will continue with this until the end). It was REALLY cool to see the SITE the checkpoint was on, because, lets admit it. It was a realllll tourist show. You could get your passport stamped with an "East/West" Berlin stamp, take pictures with American and Communist soldiers... I had a bit of a laugh because I know I am one of those "f***ing tourists" but I don't think I am THAT bad. Seeing the "tourist show" wasn't my favorite bit, it was the write-ups and information everywhere. Photos of the REAL checkpoint, and stories of people that escaped, and stories of those that didn't make it. I know we hear it all the time, but we are and were really, REALLY lucky to be Canadian. (On a side note, I have never been so proud of where I am from, other that my time spent abroad).Next we went to a square... I wish I could remember the name... I think it may have been Gendarmenmarkt...? There was a French Cathedral with a copied German Cathedral opposite it...the French Huguenots came to Berlin following the reinstating of the Edict of Nantes in 1680 something (5 or 6 maybe). They came because the crafty German King: Friedrich something encouraged them so that he could use the skilled workers that came along for the ride. Of course (according to mr. amazing tour guide) the King handpicked the majority of these workers (SEE crafty, like I said), and gave them a Dom (Catherdral) and the Germans got jealous and got one too, directly across from it. They are identical, but the German one is slightly taller. In the middle you can find the Concert house, I think.
Next we went to the intellectual center of Berlin. Standing across the street from the Humboldt University where the likes of Albert Einstein and Theodor Mommsen have worked/studied/ect.I would name more but none of them stayed in my brain. The square was also the sight of the Book Burnings... the memorial for this is underground. There is a window looking down, into a room. The room is all white and lined with empty book cases... kinda cool eh?
We then saw the memorial to the Victims of War and Tyranny... it was a beautiful statue of a mother holding her dying son. In the grave underneath there are the bodies of a victim of a concentration camp and a German soldier (I believe).
Back to museum island we went, seeing the Berlin Dom... Cathedral, apparently ugly...building, and the Altes museum and 5 million other things, heard a few more stories, and that was our tour.
SORRY that took so long, the rest should be brief, I hope, it's 2:30 am.
OH the football protest, don't know anything about it (everything was German) but there was aaaaaa lot of chanting, singing, groups in matching shirts, ect. And it was all about football.
We went to the National Art Gallery. I like art and all, but I was tired and bee-lined for my favorite Monet, saw a few others, and a Van Gogh, and was done.
We went and found food (REALLY good food, like, REALLY REALLY good). Went up the TV tower (FOR €10 GAHHH) and saw Berlin at night. That was kinda neat...
THEN we met up with a few of the French ladies and grabbed a beer and a shot of Jager at one of my favorite pubs since I got here. Records and the sleeves were the wall paper, and reallll rock and roll was being played. RHCP, the stones, the who, pink floyd, you name it.
Then we packed it in early and headed for home, exhausted.
The next day, following 3.5/4 hours of sleep I dragged Kinga out of bed at around 8 so we could see the castle before heading to meet the girls at the wall/flea/vintage market.Unfortunately it didn't open until 10, so we were too early, but that's ok, all the more reason to go back.
We then set off for Bernauer Strasse and took the TRAIN, then the METRO, then a TRAM, to get there. Missed the girls. Ran out of cellphone minutes... and got lost. THAT was an adventure. But we found the market, and wandered. If you know me well, you'll know that I LOVE markets, of any sort! I don't normally buy stuff... but I found a men XL old yellow Lacoste sweater and got it for like... €2 and then an 80's sequined t-shirt for another €2, don't know if I'll ever wear it... but whatever. Oh, and 2 necklaces.. but there's no surprise there. AND then something... pita/pizza type deal with a cream sauce and cheese and peppers on top... don't know what I ordered, but it was amazing. AH my blogs allllways come back to food!
We took all three forms of transportation back to city center, grabbed an ice cream and Berliner Weiss (pronounced vise, a flavoured German beer) and headed back to the train station. When we got on the train and started moving, everyone was passed RIGHT out in... give or take 5 minutes. I think the weekend was a success! J
THAT was Berlin, in a longwinded... nutshell... I need to sleep!
xoxo From Poland
Oh, and I don't know how to do this blog thing well yet, and can't get rid of the white bit, sorry!

PHOTOS:::::: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=559623&id=561800211&saved

Music and Classes

Everything is always different here, if that makes sense. I am not always that good in actually putting what I mean in words, obviously. Classes are STILL being decided! Polish is impossible, and although I actually DID want to learn it, I can't learn it... in the teaching style, without textbooks to study... and moving THAT fast all the time. Last class was unbelievably frustrating, so I have decided, I will drop Polish (sorry mom). Kinga is an amazing teacher, so I will pick up in no time :). Most of my other classes are alright... number-wise they aren't over about 20-30 people, one class today only had ten people in it... so I think that will be a good introduction to Management for me, we will see. Kinga and I did laundry today. My socks are drying on the radiator, ghetto, eh? No midterms for me! Everyone back home is stressing, and I don't even have a schedule yet, haha! I am stuck on which classes to take, thinking I will take French, so I can keep up on it (having taken French 1000, last year). Oh! And big news! First trip! To Berlin, this weekend! We bought tickets yesterday! I still don't know where I will be sleeping... don't worry, parents, I will be ok... there's like 30 people going! Music has, without a doubt, stepped in as a life saver since I have been here! It always has been important to me, but so have my friends, dance, family, ect. Now that most of that is missing, or far away, music has stepped in. New music discoveries/old favourites:
-Can't Go Back Now -The Weepies
-I and Love and You -The Avett Brothers
-Damien Rice
-Awake My Soul -Mumford & Sons
-Answering Bell -Ryan Adams
-The Shins
-OF COURSE!!!!!--> Red Hot Chili Peppers **
     Specifically: Strip My Mind, By The Way, Especially in Michigan, Fight Like a Brave, Tell Me Baby, Parallel Universe, you get the idea
-Lupe Fiasco
 -5 Years Time-Noah and the Whale
-Dondante-My Morning Jacket
-No Ones Gonna Love You- Band of Horses
-Three Wishes-The Pierces
-John Butler Trio
-Ego Trippin -De La Soul
-Bob Seger
-Georgia -Ludacris and Field Mob
-Today- Stickboy
-Yesterday-Atmosphere
-Rise Against, Kill Hannah, Metallica, The Cab, Disturbed, ect.

Then there's always the party song side of things:
-Thuderheist (there's some Canada for ya, I think)
-Notorious B.I.G
-Mase
-Sweatshop Union
-The Dream
-YELLE
-The Game
-Far East Movement
-Fabolous (Not a spelling error, I hope)
-Lil' Wayne
(My personal anthem)-Mo Money Mo Problems -Mase, Puff Daddy & The Notorious B.I.G.
-Hilltop Hoods
-Trey Songz
-Nicki Minaj

OH so much more...

You get the idea I hope, I am listening to EVERYTHING right now, and could use suggestions :) Facebook and email work well :) (that's a hint if you missed it).
So far my classes are as follows:
Monday
History and Culture of Poland 11:30-13:00
Electronic Commerce and Business 13:15-16:30
Tuesday
Team Management 11:30-13:00
Wednesday
Cultural Differences in International Marketing 11:30-13:00
Methods and Instruments of... something-a-rather 13:15-14:45
Marketing Strategies -Polish Cases 15:00-16:30
Thursday
EITHER
The Economics of Happiness 13:15-14:45
OR
International Negotiations and Contracting 13:15-14:45
Obvious choice is............
Friday
OFF, NO CLASSSSSS!
Except for the occasional presentation for Electronic Commerce and Business,

Not too shabby, eh? I only need 18 ECTS credits (=3 back home), but this equals, like, 28? I think... So I'm an over-achiever, but that means I wont be living here without a purpose, right? If I wasn't in class I would be spending money, or sleeping, may as well be productive...
But That's it. I don't really have anything to talk about, but everyone asks about my classes, so that is my schedule! Some Polish professors are actually pretty sweet, but the one I had for Polish... arggg, I was getting frustrated and called on every other reading, and I am noooo quiter (I am in freakin Poland) but I don't want to be embarrassed in class, because I can't make my mouth move right, and got lost on the tram and missed last class... soooooo. bu byyyyye Polish. I will tough it out just fine, teach myself even, we will see.
ANYWAY, enough ranting, I am exhausted and it's 230 almost, gooooodnight
xoxo From Poland

The Zoo and Homesickness

These last few days have just been a mess of school, attempting to cook in the kitchen here... life in general just kicking in. Today we went to the zoo though! It was nice to do something other than... drink, or shop, or look at buildings... although all of that is fun, it is beginning to get old. I am beginning to miss home, I feel so far away sometimes... especially because my family and I can't get skype to work properly, so it is more instant messaging than real life conversation. I miss my friends too... everything here is so different, every single day. I miss working... lol, I guess this is my homesick blog. Even though I am finding myself missing things I wasn't expecting to miss, I still know that stepping onto that plane was one of the best, and most... mature (maybe) decisions I have ever made. Already I know I am growing up, accepting responsibility. I am (almost) supporting myself. Grocery shopping and cleaning are regular occurences now... surprise surprise, eh? Who would have thought! I've always been a big kid... and even though I am not admitting that I have grown up, I am getting there. I hope I am making sense! All I know is that I am meeting amazing people here, with the same ambitions as myself, and although I miss my life back home, I am loving every minute of it. Sometimes it is lonely, being in a strange place, not knowing people, especially having grown up in as small a community as Lethbridge. Back home you know someone everywhere you go. Here I walk for hours and see something new everytime. Not having a phone, I am cut off, which is nice, but an inconvienence at times. I love it here though. The cold is setting it, which still isn't all that deadly, unlike home. I'm used to just going for a drive when I need to calm down, blasting my music and just cruising down Alberta highways... I don't have that here, which is frustrating, but I am learning to find new outlets, if that makes sense. I miss dance too... I can't sleep at night sometimes, because I don't have a method yet to just put everything out there, now it is all swirling around my head all the time. I miss my routine, I miss my home, I miss my family... for so long I would look for an escape from the regular, look for an adventure. Now that I am here, it is still surreal that I have finally made it happen. I made this whole adventure... this opportuinity of a lifetime happen. I hope it doesn't sound wrong, but I am proud of myself. Walking away from my dad, and driving to the airport... Walking away from my mom and my sister for the last time in I don't even know how long, I thought that was nearly impossible, but I did it. I made it. I'm in freaking POLAND. Who would have thought? A small town Alberta girl leaving everything she has ever know. God damnit that sounds cheesy, but that's how I feel. I am actually doing what I have dreamed about for... I don't know how long. I have ended relationships to be here, and even though I miss what I had, I hold no regrets. You can't, not when you are experiencing everything I am. Even though there are parties... a lot of parties, and this is my temporary home, this is my new life. I know a year from now when I look back on these blogs, I will probably think I am insane for missing boring old Lethbridge, but Lethbridge is my home. It may not be where I belong, but it is where my home is... and you know the saying "home is where the heart is", home will always be where my heart is. Where I can walk into my highschool and know people, going to the mall means seeing old friends, and going out means getting rowdy with friends from a farm, where, yes, there are cows. I read a few quotes that I reallllllly, just feel the need to share, they sort of put my experience in words... because I, quite obviously, cannot;
“I see my path, but I don't know where it leads. Not knowing where I'm going is what inspires me to travel it.”
-Rosalia de Castro
“Adventure must start with running away from home”
-William Bolitho
“A (wo)man practices the art of adventure when (s)he breaks the chain of routine and renews his(/her) life through reading new books, travelling to new place, making new friends, taking up new hobbies and adopting new viewpoints”
-Wilfred Peterson
Life is a journey, the outcomes and the ultimate conclusion depend on the decisions you make, the people you meet and the chances you take advantage of. You cannot sit idle and expect spectacular things to occur on their own. You must first take charge and then make your decisions wisely. It is not everyday someone stumbles onto something like what I have, and I know I'm no genius, or traveller extrodinaire, but seeing new things through travel, and meeting new people simply by saying "Hi my name is ________" is the smartest thing anyone can do. I have had some bad days since I got here, some days are harder than others. But those are the days you push yourself harder. Even to just get out of bed and explore the city alone... you can't ever give up on yourself, or your expectations of yourself. I know that by moving I may have missed out on some... really amazing things, but at the same time, if I hadn't moved I know myself well enough that I would always have wondered "what if". That would be the biggest regret I ever could have forced myself into, and I am so glad I didn't...
Well then, my simple explanation of my day and going to the zoo definately turned into a bit more then, eh? I just want my family and friends to know I love them and miss them, and that sometimes it is too difficult to reply to messages all the time, and although I would love to write eveyone back, and skype constantly, it is rather difficult to do so. I hope everyone understands, and that everyone is doing well, I promise I will be sending replies when I can!
xoxo From Poland

Day Two

Another day! Today I had my Polish language course, and I believe it will be IMPOSSIBLE for me to pass. I can't speak it in the right accent, and because it is so frustrating to me, it will be a deterrent to study it. Gaahh, it sucks. I think my English will get worse being here though, and having to simplify so that I can actually carry on a conversation with people. I will post pictures of the school's buildings as soon as it is nice enough out to not look gross, because Poznan is beautiful. Even in the rain, but I don't need to ruin my camera in the first week . Actually, as of today, I have been in Poland exactly one week. One week of sleeping in my itty bitty bed! We finished of the Wodka (pronounced, vodka... :)) last night, it was fun.. then again I guess I wrote a blog this morning, I forgot. I did get very lost in the rain trying to find the Language Center though... It was in some random office building, on the third floor... Wtf?! Streets are beginning to look familiar though. Especially around the school and old market. I honestly can't remember what I wrote this morning, I rushed myself a little bit, and only made it to school on time because of luck. Because I don't know the tram times or anything yet, I need to leave Feniks at least an hour before class... until things begin to work into a routine. Bought a desk lamp though, need an alarm clock still... especially for that stupid 9 AM class on Friday... Ugh. I'm so out of this school thing. Having a 5 month summer really doesn't help much. Only 2.5 months this summer is going to suck... big time. I'm beginning to really miss the little things; namely my iPhone, microwaves, Rye, Kokanee, and a job. Although not having one it nice, I feel soooo vulnerable without an income of my own. Especially now that tuition is paid, I am stressinnnnng! But it is Benjamin's birthday (bonne fete!) so I think I am off to Feniks to say hello, then I NEED to sleep tonight. Too many getting-home-at-6-AM mornings going on right now! Oh, and I will be replying to everyone’s emails ASAP, I just need to get a routine type thing figured out here, and all will be well! Missing everyone!

xoxo From Poland

First Day!

The first day of school was just like at home, just to go get a run through of the grading ect. It seems to me that school this year will be ridiculously easy for me. I am fine with that! The school itself is beautiful. Building A has these big pillars outside, building B LOOKS like a castle (the castle is across the street though, fun fact, that castle was one of the last built in Europe, and Hitler used it once during the war for something (I can't remember)) then there is building C which is more modern I think. Then There is the Altum, which is the tall red building (if you have seen photos) Then there is the Language Center. Which I think will be impossible to find. And I have class there in an hour! Fml. Pictures will come soon, it rained yesterday and before that there was no time! I did buy some boots yesterday though, as that is one thing I didn't think to bring, and everything gets wet here, plus we have to walk and tram/bus it everywhere. The History class I had yesterday will be fun I think. We get to go to operas, dance performances, concerts, the theater, ect, just to learn about Polish culture. The other one the prof couldn't make it so we are to expect something through the email. Today is my Polish course, which I am nervous about, Polish is hard! Last night we had a rez party here in Feniks, jumping on beds and what not. Then went to... Terytorium, or something. A club. They played music I knew and we danced all night. Last night, prior to the party I ran to a studio (dance studio) down the street, and they let me take a jazz class! It was so good to be back in a studio. Unfortunately I haven't budgeted for dance classes, and becuase there was ONE person in a 25+ person class speaking English, it was difficult to follow, but I am certainly sore today, so I did something right! Anyway, I have to catch the tram and try to find the building in this rain!
xoxo From Poland

Night Two of Orientation/Clubs

Another day, another club, another night with vodka and dance :). Tonight we checked out Tokyo Underground and Cuba Libre. Tokyo Underground was... a BAR. Cuba Libre was a CLUB. Does that make sense? I am beginning to meet people on erasmus here, which is nice. But this whole... clubs are open until sunrise thing is kicking my ass. Don't worry mom and pops... I am behaving ;). Tonight we had a barbeque (meaning this AMAAAZING polish soup (zoupa.. I don't know the specific soup's name) and Polish sausage, and it was amazing) with one Lech, one warm wine (starts with a G) and a cocktail. Aga and Paulina met us at Ailiba, somethingarather.There were flair bartenders (which was super cool and makes regular bartenders (no offence) somewhat boring). Then we socialized, and headed off to the clubs! It's so awesome being on a program like this, because everyone is here for the same type of thing. To travel, and meet new people! Oh, and I guess school is in there somewhere too eh? We all headed to Tokyo Underground tonight first, that means almost all the exchange students (I believe) were there. Then when 2 AM rolled around most people seemed to clear out... A few of the guys from Belgium (they are crazy :) ) and the two from Finland (Carl and Dan) and Chrissy (from Germany) headed to Cuba Libre. Cuba Libre is where I belong, I swear. It is all Latin dancing (salsa, ect.) with music to match. It wasn't like everyone was falling over drunk either, however they were serving Havana Club (JAELYNN!!). People went to actually just DANCE which is what I live for, that and food. Speaking of food, Kinga and I went grocery shopping today. It wasn't nearly as overwhelming this time, as it was the first time. I think that is my word for this trip, OVERWHELMING. That is how I feel when I walk by a castle to go to school, and find my cereal in bags, and my milk unrefridgerated (if that is a word) in the aisle of the grocery store. It is crazy how different everything is 8 or so time-zones away. But I love it, I love every single.. difficult... thing about it.
That is all for tonight, it is now almost 6 AM, and I really do need some sleep! But first! I need to apologize to anyone I offended with the kissing the cheek thing, I had no idea what was going on most of the time, and usually thought someone was trying to talk to me? Negative to that. But I am learning. ANYWAY, that is all!
Xoxo From Poland



Howarts-like, no?



Clubbing

Definitely means something different over here. This club had three floors. One with a coat check, the first floor played more… hip hop/pop… sort of. But it seemed a few years back, Justin Timberlake and 50 cent kind of back. None of the newer stuff Fakir would play at studio, haha. The Next floor had a new DJ and more seating. Playing more of an electric and techno type of music. People don’t dance like back home, so fitting in was hard at first. Taking the tram there was fun.  We all went together (mom, you don’t have to worry) and drank on the tram, talk about difficult. Anyway I just danced the night away on Polish vodka (and miraculously have a minimal headache today, which is wonderful). Then wandered with a buddy I made on the plane over from T.O named David. Found an AFTER hours pub, in the (I swear to god) dungeon of some old building in the market playing Red Hot Chili Peppers, so of course I had to check it out. EVERYONE here, if they are up past midnight is drunk, I sweaaaaaar. But I wandered, eventually having to take a cab home, got lost, and finally, FINALLY rolled in after 530 AM, and that’s normal. Oh and going out isn’t expensive here either (mom). Kinga and I split a 750 mL bottle of vodka, and bought a thing of coke, for 30zl, so 15zl each, which equals FIVE DOLLARS at home. Take that Canada. Once out things got pricier, by pricy I mean 20zl for a double, so like 7 dollars, which is like home (and slightly disappointing). Don’t get me started on missing 7-11 taquitos and nachos! There isn’t salsa here either. Anyway, I found a very adequate substitute: Zapiekanka. Think of it… sort of like a pizza bun? Sorta. Mine had chickennnn and lamb maybe? Cabbage (of course) cucumber, tomato, pickles, cheese, and the MOST garlicy sauce I have EVVVVVVER had, and ketchup. Best post (or for us, 230 AM and keep partying) bar food ever! Homesickness hasn’t set in yet, but I am thinking that once it does I will stop using facebook much, so this and email will probably be my main communication. Anyway, I just thought of this now, because I know the girls are using this for updates J. One more night tonight, and I’ll probably write another, just because I will forget! But I desperately need to go grocery shopping so,

Xoxo from Poland

I found CANADIANS

Zapiekanka

Orientation Day!

Today was our orientation! Talk about overwhelming. That castle dowtown is next door, and the A building (main building) has these big pillars outside (I promise pictures will be here soon!) like you would see on any... "old" university. Classes are a little messed up, I will need to make a meeting with Magda stat... but other than that, all is well! We went to Stare Browar (Stary Brow-are-ee) to look around. It is one of the best mid-sized malls in the world (apparently) so everything is rather pricey (IE: out of the student budget) but part of the building used to be an old brewery. Speaking of breweries, I found my favorite beer (so far); Lech (pronounced: L-eec-k, sorta). The IESN did a presentation at the orientation today, it stands for International Exchange Erasmus Student Network. Erasmus is basically a student group in Europe, I think? Anyway, when we do trips around Poland, or have private parties planned it is through the IESN (ESN). Including the party Kinga and I are attempting to prepare for tonight! Smirnoff is diiiiiirt cheap here, as is my Lech :) so it should be fun. We are going to some club downtown, the name meaning chocolate, or something like that. Today was such an overload of information all my facts are turned around. My mentor, Daniel, has been such an enormous help, and since I know he is keeping up on my blog, I had to write a DZIEKUJE DANIEL :)!!!! Back to the orientation, we will be doing a tour to a Lech brewery (so I hope it remains my favorite!) is planned for later on, plus a trip to Krakow, I think. Obviously I don't know much, eh? Oh I got caught saying eh by the British guy today too. Oh, and I told the Finnish guy at the table that Canada was better at hockey, I hope I am right? Kinga and I went to the big mall with Chrissy, who is from Germany, but I really don't know how to spell anyone's name over here... sooo... I must say though, the Polish style is impeccable, I love it and REALLY wish I could actually afford to fit in. Skinny jeans and cute flats or heels (good luck on cobblestone) or boots seems to be the main trend… and leather jackets. EVERYONE owns one it seems. I know I wrote about style last time, but being Canadian and used to wearing my tie-die and jean shorts when its 25 above and being stuck in jeans (so I don’t look like an OBVIOUS foreigner) drives me nuts! But people keep speaking Polish to me, so that must be an ok sign. I just don’t shut up when I get going hey? Sorry, but everything is so new and exciting, and you all know how I talk and have a complete inability to focus on anything. Just have to say if any Harry Potter fans are reading this, the castle next door looks like Hogwarts, mind you it’s only a hundred or so years old. But Daniel is here now, and Kinga’s mentor, Agnieszka is on her way so we have to get ready! Oh, one more thing, Agnieszka took us to a cathedral! I love seeing churches! Anyway, bye now.

Xoxo From Poland

Made it!

Finally made it here, after... oh... between 20 and 24 hours of flying, layovers, and delays. The first obvious difference between Poland and Canada is without a doubt the sheer amount of history, EVERYWHERE. All the buildings seem to have their own story and the building itself is just breathtaking! Poland is so much more than I expected. There's a freakin CASTLE downtown. Crazy? I think so. Since school hasn't started yet it has been hard to really meet the other exchange students, but my dorm mates are from France... and I know the French guys are down the hall... and the Belgiums (not sure what they are called) are across the hall and the Spaniards are in here somewhere. The rooms are much more than I expected... half a closet for both Kinga and I and then half a closet of shelves we use as a pantry and dresser. Then a half fridge in the common room for the French girls, Kinga, and I to share. So far, probably due to my delayed culture shock, I am ABSOLUTELY loving everything about Poland. The hardest thing is how different English and Polish are, and not being able to even piece anything together when reading, like you could with French, or Spanish. One thing I have to mention, just because I am obsessed, is the food. Fresh everything. The bakery down the street has fresh doughnuts and bread every morning, first thing. And the doughnuts beat Timmy Hoes any day, there's a cream inside... with booze in it. The bread is still hot when you eat it... this doesn't happen back home! And don't get me started on the Pierogi! I can't stop talking about them, if they aren't homemade I will be disappointed with them from now on. Then because the weather is still nice there are corner markets set up and you can wander through get apples picked from one person's backyard and grapes from another, then tomatos and carrots from another. It's insane! I don't even LIKE tomatos back home, and here I'm eating them alone. We haven't had a really Polish meal yet (with an exception of my pierogis... and I do hope I am spelling that right), but going grocery shopping was really difficult for me. It must get easier with time though. Right now I am just enjoying my morning commute on tram #4 with crazy Polish drivers to Old Town and school. Tomorrow is orientation, so that should be interesting. And I have to get myself some of those boots! They are adorable. And super skinny jeans seem to be the thing over here... hello cheap shopping. I spent 89 zl at the grocery store on what home would have been about $50 worth of stuff... but converted to around $30 spent! And think, that's on deli meats, fresh gourmet cheeses, milk, veggies... ect. I love ittttt! But because I still have scholarships to finish (since our internet, due to language barriers, was just connected today) so I will cut my rantings short.

xoxo From Poland