Warsaw, capital of Poland. Our first day on Warsaw was a wet one. It poured cats and dogs. Bolek came in the morning to show us our new neighborhood. Since we were on our own we needed to know where we could buy bread, milk and other groceries. We also need to know our way around that area. Following advice given to my by my friend Valdek (who lives in Calgary also) we bought 30 day passes for all public transportation in Warsaw. It is a very good concept; instead of going from month to month one buys a week, two weeks or month (30days) pass. It is good on all buses, trams and metro.
Since I somehow brought only sandals and runners me feet were freezing after walking in the rain so…..I had to buy myself shoes. That we did with Bolek. I bought myself nice pair of velour shoes, the kind which used to be very popular and it is impossible to buy any more in Canada. That evening we had supper at Bolek place, he was presiding cook. Special of the evening – pasta carbonara, Bolek’s specialty. It was yummy indeed. In the span of next few days Dorotka took us to various places in and around Warsaw. We started with her father’s posters exhibit in Jablonna. Next day went to Famous Warsaw Old Town, next day Wilanow, next day to Lazienki. By now we had gorgeous weather so it was really nice to go to all those places while Warsaw was enjoying real spring. We also went couple of times to Canadian embassy since meantime we decided that their youngest son Jasiu will be spending this year’s summer holidays with us in Canada. We had to apply for Canadian visa for him so naturally we went with him to our embassy ….just in case 
)
Few days went by and we went to meet my old classmate, Marlena. She works for one of the big banks so that’s where we met her. She invited us for a nice meal to nearby restaurant. We had a long talk since three of us (Marlena, Bolek and I) are high school classmates. The next weekend we met Marlena again this time we went with her to her place in Lomianki. We spent there divine weekend. The very first night they threw a party for us. Their both kids were there – Bartek with his girlfriend and Ola, plus whole bunch of neighbors. Wow, we had a great time eating and talking till the very early hour next day. They make this great polish vodka called Sobieski Cranberry vodka; well it is the stuff dreams are made of but brother sear clear of it. We had few too many bottles of this “dreamy” stuff and next day I could redefine what a headache really is. No need to mention that following morning we slept in. After having breakfast we went for a very long walk around the area. Lomianki is a small town in the suburbs of Warsaw. It is located right on the edge of very old Puszcza Kampinowska (Kaminowska forest). That is where we went for walk at the end of which we went for a nice, cold beer. Next day we just hang around, went for another long walk but no more overindulgence in Sobieski Cranberry stuff. After that weekend Marlena and Chris gave us a wonderful gift, they took us on a mini holiday to the fabulous Mazuria Lake District. – great few days of fishing and “dolce niente”. But you can read all about it on a sub page dedicated to that trip.
After we came back form our fishing trip I finally met with a very dear friend whom I hadn’t seen for almost 30 years. Her name is Nina or as like to call her Ninka. She was one of very few who came to the airport with us when we were leaving Poland for good in June of 1981. That was the last time I saw her, now in May of 2008, almost exactly 27 years later we met again. With her we went to her place where we met her husband as well as her Mother whom I have known since I was teenager time (early 70’s). There we had lovely “after all those years get together”. Ninka prepared lovely meal; it was time to reminiscent and truly enjoy each other company. Despite her age Ninka’s Mother or Mama Basia as I call her these days retained phenomenal level of cerebral fitness. Her memory is still intact and her lovely way about is as charming as it has always been. Nina’s husband, Jacek speaks Chinese which came in very handy since finally Limin could communicate with someone in her mother tongue while not feeling alienated in Polish reality. After this meeting we met again with Ninka and Jacek. This time they took us to Powsin where there is a lovely garden run by Polish academy of Science. There are blooming flowers, exotic trees etc., lovely place indeed. From there we went to Czersk to see ruins of an old castle. There we took tons of pictures since it is very picturesque place. The day was concluded by having lovely meal in one of Warsaw’s restaurants. It was a Mongolian place run by a Chinese. Limin had a chance to jabber in her language with chef, which put her in very joyous mood. This time we had a chance to meet Nina’s and Jacek’s only son, Tomek. He is very nice young fellow who is studying history at the University of Warsaw. Tomek was very interested in Canada, its current issues among them natives and their situation.
After we came back from Gdansk Bolek took us to Debe, place where I went to high school. Every time I come to Poland I stay with Bolek and every time we go together to Debe to meet one of our educators there. His name is Mr. W. Tabor and he is truly phenomenal human being. This time like every time before we had great time with him. He offered some fresh strawberries and some nice cold vodka. Again we talked about the passed and tried to look into the future. We went to school together, went for a nice stroll around, lots of memories became alive again, wow what a time. This time we met (after many years) one of Witek’s sons and his family. They bought a house of a guy who used to be a carpenter in our school. Now Witek’s daughter-in-law teaches math while his son works as a policeman. They have cute little boy who is a constant source of enjoyment for Witek and his wife Ela. It was truly nice visit but next time I come there I am coming for few days so I can really relive those days, relive my youth, revive all those memories which I truly cherish.
Eventually it was time to go back home which we did on June 12th. Bolek dropped us off at the airport where we had to say our good byes….till the next time I hope.
