visits to/from friends

So at the beginning of the week, I tried one last time at getting people to go to Poland with me. All my previous attempts had failed, but I had a new tactic and this time it would not fail. I had free housing and a persuasive attitude. I decided to just inform some people that they were coming. They agreed.

But before we get into the fabulous weekend, let’s talk about the week. More museums. Jen and I visited these two cemeteries/monuments for the Holocaust. They were so beautiful and peaceful. On Tuesday night, Prof Kelling took us out to a real German dinner. So much meat! But sooo good. I wish I had taken a picture of my dinner, but I didn’t think until the end and then it was too late.


So I have to tell you about these two girls in my institute class. They are both Germans, but speak perfect English. They are just about the cutest girls ever! They have such strong testimonies and I love chatting with them. I hope that we will keep in touch when we are no longer in the same country/continent.

Thursday I had lunch with Florian (a foreign exchange student of my cousins). We went to Vapianos, which is this amazing Italian restaurant. Then we went up to the observation area of the tallest building. It was only 24 stories, but that is as tall as they are allowed to be built. We got amazing ice cream and chatted. Then we went to the Brandenburger Tor and the American Embassy. He has a Smart car BTW, and I got to drive in it. Oh yeah. It was really nice to see him again. I think we are going to try to get together more before I leave.


Friday went a little something like this. I went to class, Emily and I went to the bookstore and I bought the first in the Series of Unfortunate Events in German to read on the Train. I also came across The Hunger Games in German!!!! Then we went to a lecture of this guy who works for the Church. It was really interesting. He talked about the way the church is viewed in Germany and it was interesting. Then Richard, Emily, and I bolted for Poland!!

We had a lovely train ride and chatted most of the time. We met up with Jon and got some Polish Money, Zlots (I have no idea how to spell it) and bus tickets and went to their apartment.

Saturday was amazing! We got up and took our time getting ready, eating breakfast, playing with the Jagards adorable baby, Ania. Then we went to Old Town and pretty much just wandered around. It was so cool! We saw the church were the heart of Chopin is buried and a sign that says “evil” (of course we had to take pictures). It was just so much fun to see it all. I love old towns. We came across a festival that was going on and there were some folk dancers and people selling traditional Polish art and scarves and whatnot. They love color and it was so much fun too look at everything. Then we went to a park and wandered some more and avoided the mosquitoes. There was this old mansion with a lake and peacocks. Then we went home and played Ticket to Ride and Jon made some amazing pancakes! We watched the World Cup game, England vs. USA (Yeah, I had to look up what it was in English. I have been seeing Weltmeisterschaft for so long).



On Sunday Richard left early to get home to skype with his wife, but Emily and I got to go to a little bit of Polish church. We stopped by a cemetery on the way and Liz showed us how the Poles really respect and take care of their dead. There were flowers everywhere and places to buy them and candles. I thought it was really sweet. The Warsaw chapel is small, but they filled it up with strong spirits. I love the way that church feels the same no matter where you are. It felt so nice to hear Liz’s beautiful singing voice again. She had to translate the talk, so I got to play with Ania! Lucky me!! I love that baby girl <3




Then came the sad part where we had to leave. We made it back safely and I went for a walk. My Hausfrau was so excited for me because she comes from Poland so I told her all about it (in my limited German).

I loved seeing the Jagards again! Because we weren’t doing anything too intense, I got to talk with them a lot and catch up and get some good advice. They gave us an incredible weekend! Thanks guys!!!!