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