The Motherland

Anyone ever watch a little show called Seinfeld? I feel like I’m in an episode of it 24/7. My grandparents have been married for 52 years, and no doubt are still in love and the ultimate couple, but are the funniest, more random and Seinfeld-like couple in the world.

I’ve been here for 2 nights, and my second day today. I sometimes feel like they forget I’m there, and I’ve stepped into a conversation they were having without me. They constantly talk over each other, remind each other that it’s their turn to speak, and then continue speaking. They also comment loudly about politics and the weather, and are the most patriotic of anyone I know. It’s truly hilarious just being an observer.

We stayed up late again last night, which surprisingly was due to their interest in keeping conversation, and not me being cruel and keeping the grandparents from their sleep. It was a serious conversation, and my grandfather was reminiscing about life when he was a boy, and witnessed family members being murdered by German soldiers, and walking to school and seeing bodies on the way. I couldn’t even imagine living through that time, and I must say, I am so, so grateful that none of us had to. I spent most of the night horrified, and seeing how deep the scars of war can last on someone – my grandfather is now 77, but is still sad and angry about events that occurred when he was 7. His life was basically forever damaged by Germans and then Russian communists – he was denied the right to a life as a Christian, a Polish man, an intelligent engineer and more importantly as a good human being. These stories have stiffened my resolve to visit Auschwitz, and to never forget what my own grandparents have gone through, since we are so damn spoiled and ignorant of events that happened not so long ago.

On a lighter note, Poland is on the agenda for the next 3 weeks... family time, but also time to party it up! Adam and I are travelling around Poland , visiting everything and everyone we can. We have an adorable cousin who we have yet to meet, and my uncle and aunt are also excited to dump him on the grandparents and have fun Polish styles. It’s my first time to see Poland from an independent standpoint – I am older, with no parents, and am excited to discover the nightlife here. I really think that Warsaw, and most of Poland are seriously underrated as a place to visit.

If anyone is in Europe, I would be HAPPY to show you around Poland the right way – if you’re in the area for the next 3 weeks...