Hello again!
What a nice feeling it is to have people from all over the world read my postings and comment on them - thank you! This is very motivating - to be able to communicate across borders and with people from such different cultures. So, my thanks go to all those who gave me their warm welcome and wished me fun here - I'm sure we will all have it!!
Many people asked about my country, so I will try to write more about Poland today.
When I'm thinking about what to write, one thing comes to my mind - that Poland is a country that has changed unbelievably over the last two decades. Remember when I described my childhood in Warsaw? At that time, in the 1980s, Poland was still under communist regime, and what that meant above anything else was that you couldn't buy the most basic products anywhere!
People would queue for hours just to get a bit of meat or other food (imagine - in an agricultural country there was a contant shortage of food products), and things like e.g. chocolate or sweets were so scarce we would get it once a year maybe - at Christmas, most likely. There were other problems, of course - people couldn't travel freely abroad, or discuss politics or recent history without being afraid of some form of oppression, but to a kid these weren't really important; what mattered was that we were living in this Godforsaken place, with "normal" life going on somewhere else - in western movies shown on TV. So when we moved to Holland, it was a lot more than a change of address - it was a civilisation jump. (To give you a funny example - during my first week in Holland, every time I went out, I wore a suit - I felt I just couldn't wear casual clothes if I was to meet people from this better world! Stupid, but it shows what a change it was for us.)
And then it all changed. Social unrest, expressed most forcefully as the "Solidarity" movement, led in the end to a free election, and the democratically elected government opened up the borders and introduced market economy. That was around 1989. And as if by waving a magic wand, shops became full of goods, and people started earning real money with which they could buy real things.
Enough for pathos :) Poland today is a member of European Union, and a chance visitor from abroad probably wouldn't be able to spot many differences between Poland and other European countries, as far as the standard of living is concerned. Merce, did you have similar experiences when Spain joined the EU? Analysts often draw parallels between Spain and Poland in this respect. I have never been to Spain so I couldn't say (I'd love to come one day, though - Spanish culture has a lot of appeal to us here, and the Spanish always appear very open - people who do what they want and say what they think... Pedro Almodovar's films are very popular here too).
What else could be said about today's Poland? Most people work very hard these days (I am the exception that proves the rule ;), setting up their own businesses, taking advantage of Poland's place in the "New Europe". However, many people are too preoccupied with the financial aspects of their lives, in my opinion - what car they drive, what house they live in, which restaurants and clubs they can afford to go to. This is only natural, I guess, after decades on economic deprivation... Still, I look up to the British way of living, where everyone seems to have a passion of their own, be it gardening, evening salsa classes or watercolour painting at weekends. Or is it an illusion?
Marianna, I liked your story, I think it goes in line with what I've just said about Polish people being preoccupied with their standard of living... I have been to Slovakia once myself, to a place called Mala Fatra - a beautiful mountain range!
(I love mountains!) I like the way our languages are similar, so that it is possible for me to get a good idea what Slovak people are talking about (sometimes with amusing mistakes being made), without ever learning the language.
And yes, the "name-day" celebrations in Poland are also very popular - more popular than birthdays, especially in the case of older people, possibly because they prefer not to remember how old they are... Here as well 18 October is Lukasz's name day, but I celebrate it on 10 September, because it is the day of Łukasz and Mikołaj (Nicolas), and these are my two names.
Kuldeep, when I read your post I thought you are my soul mate - I share the same concerns about nature being destroyed, and mankind acting as if he owned the planet. This adds to my uncertainty as to which career to pursue, as in most jobs the stress is on producing more, selling more, consuming more, with little thought spared on where it leads us.
Working for the software company, I met many people from India, as all of the programming was done in Baroda, and when there were technical issues, somebody from India would visit us. I remember one day, sitting in our office in Poznan with Alok, a nice guy from India helping us sort out some problem, when he virtually started screaming, and then ran out of the office - he saw snow for the first time in his life :)
Antonio, please tell me how you've become to have friends from Poland - even though our countries are not very far apart, there doesn't seem to be much communication or exchange between them. Sadly, I think, because I've seen many pictures from Romania and it looks very nice to me (maybe because it is so mountainous!).
Leila, it's nice to hear that once you start blogging, you keep coming back, I hope the same will be the case for me. I only started reading this blog in 2008, but will look at the archives to see some of your posts!
Mirjana, it took me a while to figure out who you are referring to by "Ivan Pavao", as in Polish we spell it Jan Pawel, so it's not instantly recognizable... Is he the most famous Pole, do you think? I imagine he can well be, and he is worshipped
here as a saint almost (in fact, the process of making him a saint is underway already, I think), but he might be perceived as a controversial figure perhaps, as not all people share the same values and ideas...
Mahjabeen, we both have difficult names I think :) How do you pronounce yours? I'm not a big sports fan when it comes to watching it (on the other hand, I love to do some sports myself), but for a number of years we had a Malysz-mania (Adam Malysz is a ski jumper, who won a number of competitions), and now we seem to develop Kubica-mania (Robert Kubica being a Formula One driver, ranking high these days).
I'm also waving a hello to James, KR, Elly and Ernesto, and hope you'll drop in again! And I'm signing off, as it's 3.30 a.m. now...
See you tomorrow!
Lukasz
Comments
Wow you are marvelous. I think you didn't like some systems of Poland. Your dedication to english sounds impressive. Carry on man, I am learning alot from your blog. It will be helpful if you write the meaning of difficult words in bracket. God bless you, bye.
Hi Lukasz. It was very interesting what you told us about the changes in Poland after the communism. Chile had a short communist experiment, under the Salvador Allende government, from 1970 to 1973. In that time, acording to many people memories, most products simply dissapear from the market and, as you said, people often had to wait hours to get some food or fuel. After that, the Pinochet regime (or dictatorshio) came, and things appear suddenly, as for magic art. Till today al that is a very controversial episode of our history. In other field, I don't know the sportmen you wrote about, but I know two famous polish celebrities. One is Lech Walesa and the other is (or was) Carol Wojtyla (or John Paul II). Once I saw him alive in Santiago, when he visited Chile in 1987, and was really amazing. Best regards.
Hi Lukasz; I have the same feeling of excitement for having with that much people across the world. You tell us about the history of Poland that in the era of 1980s there was a movement against communist regime and finally Poland get rid of them through democratically elected government. Would you please explain for me that what is communist regime? We have had the same days of sorrow here in Pakistan and since independence people are struggling for democracy but still in van. You have used the phrase “chance visitor” please explain it too. And tell us more about the weather now a days you have there, people interest , hobies and how people spent there leisure time etc….. bye have a nice day.
Hi Lukasz, I am chandra from India. Poland is very far form India. India is very hot contry and very dense populated. Now a days India is leading in Software. I want to know about food system in poland.
Hi Lukasz, Amazed to know the changes Poland go through in such a short span of time. You witnessed the change taken place in your great country. You discussed the negatives aspects of previous regime (communist). You might have noticed some positive points also. Infact, I think you got the right leadership at a right time. Without honest and hardworking leaders change never take a place. Bad leaders amass the wealth for their next generations through corrupt means. Inflate corrupts and criminals to stay at top. Always reserve the top seat for the their wards, no matter he deserves or not. Their courtiers lauds even their bad acts to have personal gains. Hence this way they block the entry for new ideas and talented new leaders and spoils the country. Good & dedicated leaders, honest and hardworking peoples makes the country great. Thank you.
Lukasz, your first post was written 3.00 am, and your recent one half hour later. When do you sleep? It was pleasure to read your entry, so straight talking!
Hello Lukasz! It´s good to read your opinions and thoughts. And, yes you are expresing everything very directly, what an unusual case today! I have been hangin on this site for ages, I would say, but this is almost the only conversation I have except with my old ill parents. It is in a writen form only, I have never spoken this language anywhere, however, I am always very pleased to see a lines droped by other regular contributors as well as new ones. I wonder how it would be the real conversation between you and me in our own languages, which are understandeable for us a litle (I doubt on my ability, however), as you´ve pointed out. Wish more sleep for you!
Hi Lucasz - nice to meet you. Your blog is very interesting. I share your opinions about modern way of life. Nowadays, in my country, most of people consider more important appearance than substance. As a teacher (in primary school) I try to change this mentality, but it isn't easy.Bye for now
Hello Lukasz! Welcome to the blog. I hope you will enjoy it as much as I did in September 2006 as the student blogger. I have been following the blogs since the beginning and I am still obsessed with this site. After being very silent over the past months I am back now. I liked the way you have described the former Poland and the cultural shock in Holland. As I am only 6 years older than you the economic and political situation in Poland in the eighties is familiar to me – it was the same in Slovakia, as well. I remember queuing up to get oranges and bananas for the eve of St. Nicholas on 5th December. As time goes by it seems almost unbelievable. When I talk about it to my children they can hardly believe it. To change the subject, you are a night owl, aren’t you? When do you wake up? Best wishes,
Hi Lukasz, I like the way you write your blogs. It's like you were sitting beside me telling me about your life and your country. What you told about Poland is totally new for me so I read your blog with great interest. I'd like to know how is a typical day in your life. I must close (I'm at the office right now). Best wishes, Cristina
Hi, I'm Jerónimo from Spain, I've read your blog about similarities; Poland and Spain It's a good thing to belong to the European Comunity You know you have much more oportunities you can go or work to any European country. Anyway, Spain is so beautiful¡¡¡ the weather, the food, the beaches...in one word: great. Bye for now.
Hi Lukasz! In one of your replies to the readers you´ve mentioned your concern about the nature degradation. I´ve found it very interesting, once here in Brazil this is a hot and polemic topic. Recently our enviromental minister has resigned her position, which creates a series of new debates about the Amazon Forest preservation. I hope soon we come up with a efficient solution to the Amazon matter. Best wishes, Ana Paula.
HI LUKAZS! welcom to bloggers' world where you're going to offer to us a great plate of varoius information about your country its people , culture ,and customs.I wish i had opportunity to add to my knowledge about Poland which i know about its communist past and the leader Lech Walesa who i had followed his leadership of revolition against the last communist leader in 1982.I know also that Poland was among the lastest joiners in EU.but ,I'm looking forward to your next entries to learn more.By the way i enjoy your writting style rich dictionary and i appreciate the number of comments on you first entry!best wishes. Anwar.
Hi Lukasz: thank you for your comments. I dont know too much about Poland, so I hope to learn more with your blog. Spain is a very beautiful country and, certainly, we have all the advantatges to belong to the European Union. Things have changed a lot since Spain is member of the EU. Now, we have a country opened to the world and I think that Poland will have a similar process. I have enjoyed very much with your way of telling your thoughts. Keep on blogging!!!!!! Bye for now. Mercè
Hi Łukasz! When I in previous post said that I had never been to Poland it was not absolutely the truth. I was in Poland during my way to Czech Republic. And we even had a little stop in Warsaw. I liked your city =)) You know, I understand better than maybe others what you have said about communistic past, and I must admit that Poland has shot much ahead in living standards in comparison with Belarus. But I hope that we will approach you soon =). And I agree with you – money is not the most important thing in our life (of course they are very important but not everything). Łukasz, excuse me for my ignorance, when did Poland become a member of EU? Has this event much changed the lives of ordinary people in Poland? I have planned to visit Kraków and Wieliczka this summer. Unfortunatedly i will not, maybe later. Shengen visa is not a cheap one =). But i’m sure it would be a very interesting trip. You have surely been there, what were your impressions and emotions? Ok, Łukasz, buy for now! Good luck in all spheres of your life!
Welcome Lukasz, nice to meet you. enjoyed your first two blogs very much. I liked the way, you put yourself at a distance, and start talking about the things happened in the past. Laters...
hi,lukasz, this is my first time to comment on other blogger . i m happy to read your posting .carry on .write some freshment about poland . china sufferred a lot in old times ,however ,she becomes stronger . there is a little bit of common aspects
Hello again Luksaz! Im also interested to know how u mange to write so late at night:)?. How you spend your day? Do u work from home? Now your question about the pronounciation of my name. Well, i will try to find to make it easy for u:). Anyways, its nice to know that you are aware about the history of your country. How many languages polish people speak excluding english? Tc and bye for now.
Hello Lukasz. Your colorful description literally two different Poland is moving for me, because I have nothing to add. Ukraine had experienced all the same but a bit later. I agree with you, life has not become easier. Life has totally changed. New way of life gives much more opportunities but only on your own. I’m looking forward for the moment when Ukraine becomes a member of UE, like our neighbors. Certainly I can’t predict economical consequences but opened borders mean for me freedom of traveling across the Europe without tiresome procedure of getting visa. You’re very fruitful blogger and I’d like to underline that.
Hello and Welcome! How are you? I'm loving your way to write. I'd like to know Poland any time...i love to travel and meet different cultures...this blog is great. Bye bye...take care yourself.
Hi Lukasz! It's to have you here on this blog. I hope to get to know you and your country better through this blog. The first and only time I've been to Poland was many years ago. Probably 5 years ago. I went to visit the concentration camp Auschwitz Birkenau. It was a really "intense" experience ( the word intense can't probably describe what people went through in those creepy places). I recall that it was also really tiring since I travelled by coach. However, the thing that really struck me at that time was that there were not many roadsigns indicating where Auschwitz was.This was a bit weird to me and I got to this conclusion: people wanted to forget the past as quickly as they could.Or maybe I just got the wrong impression. Did I? Now it's for me to hit the sack I'm really looking forward to your next blog P.s: As other bloggers have pointed out here on the blog, you don't seem to get much sleep these days!
Hello Lucasz, a belated welcome from another former student blogger. I like the accuracy of your writings and the way you express your feelings which makes easier for us to follow you during this virtual trip to Poland. Good luck on this journey. Take care. Adri
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