Living in Poland by Glennis Breckenridge

We have had such a fabulous time in Poland - better than a vacation since we made so many friends. Chelsea is pictured below with our friend Gosia, one of the many people we will miss here.

Toward the end of our visit in Lublin the temperature took a plunge - down to -2 F (-19 C.). It was so cold our faces stung when we went outside and our fingers froze even with our gloves on. Perhaps we are leaving just in time, avoiding the worst of the winter weather. It is a cold winter even by Polish standards.

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So many times I have had the experience here of someone conversing with me in Polish. On one occasion this month walking towards Old Town, I went inside a jewelry store to look around. A while later an older lady came in. When I went out of the store she left with me. Walking beside me, she began a conversation. As is my usual reaction to this experience, I kept smiling and knodding as we walked along. The lady, obviously very friendly, continued her monologue for about four blocks - almost ten minutes. The more time that elapsed the worse I felt. I was dreading that moment when she would ask me a question with her intonation and I would have to say, "sorry, American." I didn't want her to feel foolish and at the same time I felt I was being deceptive. I wondered how I was going to "get myself out of this one." Just as I had decided to say "do widzenia" (have a good day), and dash into a bank, there were three young men who stood in the middle of the sidewalk without stepping aside. The lady began to scold them. Good for her I thought. I quickly said "do widzenia" and made my escape without offending her.

We have said our good-byes. Lublin is a difficult place for us to leave but we have many fond memories to take back with us, and we are confident we will see our friends again. We have invited them all to visit us in California and some of them have "promised" to, (I won't mention any names but you know who you are)! I would like to thank our Polish friends, one and all for welcoming us so warmly and for making our visit a memorable one. I would also like to thank the Fulbright Commission and Embassy (United States and Poland) for this wonderful opportunity.