Most Tumski

On August 11, 2012 Michal took me on one of the most amazing dates.  I would have to say that it ranks up there as my top 5 (I don't know what the other 4 are... but this would ranked in the top 5 for sure).  Ever since visiting Wroclaw over 2.5 years ago, I've been asking Michal if we can put a lock on this bridge with our names carved into it.  That was the exact surprise that Michal had planned for me tonight.

We first went to the lock-shop and bought the cheapest lock we could find (about $3 USD) - and then got our names carved into the locks.

Then we traveled to Tumski Bridge (Most Tumski) to display our locks.  This bridge is infamous for having hundreds and thousands of locks placed all over.  The bridge is also known as "lovers bridge" because it is full of padlocks which lovers leave to cherish their feelings.  

 A non-traditional "ceremony" is that once you place your lock on the bridge you throw the keys over your shoulders into the Odra River below.  That way no one can open your lock and it remains imprisoned there forever.

 On this night I fell in love with Michal all over again.  Not only is our lock now forever displayed on Most Tumski - for everyone to see - but Michal took me out to an amazing restaurant and gave me another surprise: that we were going to go to Turkey in 3 days!  A lifelong wish come true... and just in time to celebrate our "other" anniversary of "dating" each other for 8 years.  My night couldn't have been any better.  Walking hand in hand with my best friend, planning out our future, being nourished with surprises, and leaving our legacy.  It certainly was a perfect night.

(Disclaimer: We came back to visit "our lock" before we left Wroclaw to come back to America - only to find that it was NO LONGER there!  Don't worry - I cried.  I thought, "Who hates me enough to cut my lock off this bridge?"  But I couldn't think of anyone in Wroclaw that would do this.  We later found out from nearby security guards - and Michal's mom affirming this - that sometimes druggies and bums come to the bridge and cut off copper locks.  They do this because they can sell them for like a zloty and help sustain their drug habbits.  They were telling us that they advise people to get ugly non-copper locks to put on the bridge.  I was astonished.  We went back to the store - and sure enough - our CHEAPEST lock was copper-plated.  How rude!  I then proceeded to cry again.

I was still VERY upset by this, even after returning home to America, until a few weeks ago.  Michal recently read in the Polish Gazeta (newspaper) that they are renovating this bridge.  In order to renovate this bridge (including repainting) they are going to have to remove every lock from the bridge to make the necessary repairs and maintenance.  So they are asking those who have keys to come and remove them - otherwise - authorities will get rid of the locks instead.  They are also asking that the tradition be kept in place and once the bridge is renovated to please come and place your lock on the bridge to display your love.  

This is what the bridge will look like once renovated and with no locks upon it.

After this announcement I didn't feel so bad - it means that regardless of in August (or a few months from now) our lock would be taken off anyways.  I don't know why, but it made me feel SO MUCH BETTER.  And it means we can always come back and place a new (non-copper, non-shiny) lock on the bridge again!  Regardless, at least our keys still remain in the river below.)

Road Trip: Boleslawiec & Gorlitz

I had always wanted to go to Boleslawiec and since it's only about a 60-90 minute drive from where Michal's mom lives.  So while we had a rental car we decided to take a tiny, little trip here.  When we were dating, Michal bought me an 8 plate set and brought it all the way from Poland.  It only costed him about $100 to get the 8 plates + one large bowl.  Since we have had them for about 4-5 years, we have broken two plates... and we wanted to replace them.  Boleslawiec has some pretty regular patterns, patterns that they rotate, and patterns that they experiment on and are a "one-time only" pattern.  We had no idea what kind of pattern we got, so I was nervous that we wouldn't be able to find it again.  But we did!  As Michal talked to the warehouse owners, they said that our pattern is a pretty regular pattern that they've had around for years and will continue to have around for years since it is one of the "typical Polish patterns" that Boleslawiec is known for.  We sure lucked out.

Michal displaying our pattern on a gravy dish (which we did not buy).

 There are, literally, hundreds of patterns and shapes and sizes of pottery to chose from.  At first glance it seems overwhelming, but if you you know what you are looking for (or are very patient) you'll find some exquisite pieces at unbelievable prices.

We ended up buying a Salad bowl, 4 cereal/soup bowls, 2 plates, and a side dish bowl + a Christmas ornament and 2 magnets... all for under $100.  You can't pass up prices like that!

One thing I absolutely love about the whole town of Boleslawiec is how much the town is decorated and embellished with their signature pottery.  It brings a smile to my face.

We got down super quickly in Boleslawiec, so we decided to head to Gorlitz Germany.  This is a special place for Michal because he used to come here quite often when he was a teenager.  When he joined the church in Wroclaw there were 2 Young Men, so they would do "combined activities" with the members in this city.  It was a great opportunity for Michal to feel more included and incorporated and to practice his German at such a young age.  He had always wanted to take me here to show me the area and how much Gorlitz helped his testimony to grow.

Many of you have heard about Gorlitz because it's the town that President Monson often refers to in his talks.  In this very city, when it was a part of East Germany, President Monson made a promise to the Saints that every blessing promised to other members of the Church would be theirs if they remained faithful. Today, this city has a Chapel - and a Temple is only an hour away.  Michal loves coming to this city because of the beautiful architecture and charm.  Plus it is right on the border of Poland so many people in this city are fluent in both languages. Kids in Gorlitz take Polish and the Polish city (Zgorzelec) the kids learn German.  Before WWII it was one city, but Russians split it right down the middle (where the river ran through the city). 

This was my favorite part of the city.  You speak into one of the grooves, and it travels around the arch and the person on the other end of the arch can hear what you are saying (even if it is just a whisper).

 Michal & I both found our initials on license plates in Gorlitz. 

I love taking "Welcome to Utah", "Welcome to Pennsylvania", "Welcome to North Carolina", etc. signs in America.  I had never seen one in Europe... but today this changed!  I was able to see "Welcome to" (minus the "welcome to" part) Germany & Poland signs, each in their respective language. 

On the way home I also experienced something "new."  Since we don't have a car in Poland - we never have to fill it up.  But.... the ONE time we fill up a car - look what we ran into?  Someone whose job it was to fill up your car for you!  Talk about customer service!  You don't even have to get out of your car if you don't want to.  Crazy!  This definitely deserved photo documentation!

Missing Warsaw

THINGS I WILL MISS ABOUT POLAND

#1. Exploring

This was a flee market located by our apartment.  We found some incredible steals here.  It was always fun to walk around and see what new treasures were here.

This particular night we walked down Nowy Swiat and there was this display up.  If you walked in front of the screen - you saw yourself light up with a silhouette of words.  As you approached the "boundaries" either a bell, dong, or other sounds would be set off.  Of course, I had to know what was going on... and watched forever.  I thought it was interesting and ended up being some University Student's project on crowd attractions.  I loved the various crowd attractions that were always seen on Nowy Swiat and will truly miss what new ideas they were always coming up with to attract the crowd's attention.

One night we went to go see the new Stadium in Warsaw.  And were pleasantly surprised with fireworks!  I loved, loved, loved exploring Warsaw!

#2. The Warsaw YSA's (Young Sexy Adults)

The YSA's were amazing in Warsaw.  It was my highlight of the week to go on Tuesday or Wednesday night for FHE & institute.  Even though all the lessons were in Polish, I feel like the YSA's helped me the very most in trying to learn Polish.  They were always so encouraging, loving, non-judgmental, and just down-to-earth good people.  Thank you for some amazing memories & experiences.  And thank you most of all for your genuine friendship.  I will miss you... each and every one of you!  Especially the ones I had "special walks" on with in downtown Warsaw.  

#3. The METRO

The Metro (and public transportation) in Warsaw was amazing.  The hardest part about being back in America is the lack thereof.  I walked everywhere I needed to go.  From this, I met some interesting people, had some unbelievable experiences, and got great exercise.  I couldn't imagine living in Warsaw without this essential staple and I'm so glad that I became independent there by traveling all over the city with the help of the Metro, buses, and Trams!

#4. The Sister Missionaries

The missionaries were an integral part of helping me to adjust to life in Warsaw!  They took me out on appointments once a week.  Taught me and helped me with my Polish.  Strengthened my testimony.  Encouraged me to be a better person.  Left the spirit in our home.  Helped me remember my mission.  And ate lots of good food with me.  I hope that the next place Michal & I end up I will still be able to help the sister missionaries in any way possible.

#5. Getting to know Michal better

 I loved getting to know Michal better.  I feel like living in Poland helped me to understand some of his personality traits, quirks, and passions better.  It was fun getting to see how excited he would get over little things (like his vintage bike that he misses dearly).  Additionally, it was fun to get to know lots of childhood friends.  It made me so grateful that he had such good friends growing up who encouraged him to follow his dreams and come to America.  A lot of Church Leaders in Poland feel like once Poles get baptized they leave Poland, get married to a foreigner, and never return - thus FAILING to help build up the gospel in their own home country.  What they don't realize is that if Michal never came to America, I would not be the person that I am today - and because of him - I am such a happy person.  This is why I encourage every YSA to live their dreams and God will lead them where they are supposed to go, not where "others" think that they should go.

#6. Doner Kebab

I think that Michal will miss these more than I will, but Doner Kebab is like the equivalent of Taco Stands in Salt Lake City.  You just can't find a place that serves better Kebabs than here.

#7. Packages

Seriously, who doesn't like packages from home?  It's like Christmas on a random day.  I will miss this for sure!

#8. Odds & Ends

Besides men wearing fanny packs, women with their bright red/orange/magenta/hot pink hair, and teenagers wearing American paraphenelia... I will miss the odd things that I find on the streets.  This was Michal's absolute favorite find the whole time we were in Poland - "Barry Gloves" (if you don't know the reference - ask him).

#9. The Beauty of Warsaw

Need I say more?

#10. Having people over for dinner

It was so great to have people over for dinner.  It helped us feel more like at home.

#11. Grocery Shopping

Every single time I went grocery shopping, I found something strange and unusual. This was definitely one of those finds.  I had NEVER seen broccoli saran wrapped.  I don't know why they did it, especially for Europeans being so "ecological" it seemed like a waste of time and plastic.  In any case, it was always a surprise to see what new "finds" I came across each time I went shopping.

#12. Cooking

Each time I cooked it was truly an experiment.  Dealing with Celsius instead of Fahrenheit, mL instead of fluid ounces, and different ingredients - you never know what you would end up with (and if it would taste good or not).  This was my German Pancake on steroids...  It was DELICIOUS!

THINGS I WILL NOT MISS

#1. My Bed in Warsaw

No bed will come even close in comparison to the bed Michal & I bought when we got married.  It was beyond comfortable.  This bed (here) was TERRIBLE.  It was small, had no padding, and hurt our backs.  I will not miss this bed.  

#2. The Cold

 Winters in Warsaw were not fun.  Contrary to the way I dress sometimes, I am not a huge fan of layers - but I had to become one when I lived here!

#3. Terrible Haircuts

Michal had some terrible haircuts in Poland.  I'm glad that we are over this stage.  He had some really awful Mullets.... which I made him fix - immediately.  I'm glad we are over this.

Seriously though....

The good definitely outweighs the bad.  Good or Bad - I'm grateful for the memories which we did make in Poland.  Every minute spent there was worth it!