My Call to Poland

Sukiennice, the impressive Medieval Cloth Hall, in  Kraków’s Rynek Glowny

You might call me unimaginative, but I’d never thought a great deal about Poland until that strange evening, 12 years ago, when Dad got a phone call from ‘home’.  For 64 years he’d had no contact with his Polish family, leaving the farm aged just 15, and in German custody.  That phone call turned our lives upside down.  Until then Dad had been my only Polish relative.  Imagine, overnight, you belong in an enormous family, who don’t even speak the same language as you.  But who welcome you with open arms.

That’s just how it was, and when Cathy asks ‘what is it that draws you to a place?’ then the lure of family surely has a part to play.  Over at Wanderessence she’s been exploring the reasons why we travel, and so much more.  I’ve always had that restless urge, but my first visit to Poland was a revelation.  I’ve never been hugged and kissed so much in my life.  Now, don’t get me wrong.  Outside of family and friends, Polish people are not normally smiling nor especially welcoming.  Given their history, they have good cause to hold a little in reserve.  But Dad was the long lost brother, and was treated like Polish royalty, while I followed along in his wake, smiling fondly but often with little real idea of what was going on.  The language barrier, you see.

Coach and horses have right of way in Rynek Glowny

The country looked so very different to the one I was used to calling home.  The chalet style houses looked different, out in the countryside.  One of the things I found really strange was that pipes often ran overhead alongside the country roads, rather than underground, as I was used.  But in the historic centres of the cities, the intricately painted and decorated facades had me stand and gaze in awe.   Kraków and Wrocław- I’ve been privileged to know both of these beautiful cities, because of my family.

Ratusz, the Town Hall, in Wroclaw
Fountains in Wroclaw’s main square

Polish eating habits are different too.  Second breakfast, lunch at 3 in the afternoon, and cake before and after almost everything! (that must be where I get it from 🙂  )  In the previous year, I and my husband had acquired a holiday home in Portugal.  Totally different culturally and in climate too, yet I found myself wondering, if we had known of the existence of the Polish family sooner, would I have been looking for a house in Poland?  I suspect I might.  I’ve always had the sea on my doorstep, and Poland is landlocked on 3 sides.  The Baltic coast is too far from family, but I’ve always been drawn to lakes and mountains too.  A visit to the Pieniny Mountain range, and the spa resort Szczawnica, linger in my memory.  Rafting through the Dunajec Gorge was a totally unforgettable experience.

Dunajec Gorge
Boatman in traditional costume
Heading downstream

I have shared some wonderful times with my Polish family, and written about them extensively, while trying not to give embarrassment.  The series My Personal A-Z of Poland has many tales to tell.  Dad died in October 2016 and I haven’t been back to Poland since.  But I can still feel the call.  Writing Easter cards took me back into each of their homes.  New youngsters have been born since my last visit, but my elders are growing older and, in some cases, frail.  I’m feeling the need to return, just once more, before starting my new life in the Algarve.

Dad with Uncle Wlodek, at home in Zgorzelec

I’m linking this to Cathy, on her series A Call to Place.  The lady is a human dynamo, seeking to improve her travel writing and to entertain us along the way.  Pay her a call.  She’ll be so glad to see you.

148 comments

  1. What an experience for you. How wonderful that you could connect with people and places that shaped your father and thereby you.

    We have a thriving Polish community in Bletchley. I like popping into the grocery shop on our high street. It is of course all in Polish but I love going in and finding things to try.

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    1. It was a strange but wonderful 10 years, and it gave Dad a new lease of life at a time when things weren’t going well. I will never forget the excitement in his voice when he told me he’d received the phone call. 🙂 🙂

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  7. Oh, language, language! But it doesn’t stop the open-hearted welcome to family. We’re both so lucky to get beyond the barricades put up against strangers by horrible Polish history. I loved being reminded so vividly of your family story, and at a perfect time. Thank you for such a warming post.

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    1. You’re right, darlin, of course. 🙂 🙂 I’ve used it as an excuse, but really I haven’t wanted to go back without Dad. Now I can’t put it off any longer. I’m excited for you, Meg. Our paths may yet cross again, but if not, cuddle those twins for all you’re worth! Safe journey! 🙂 🙂

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    1. It is quite an amazing story, Alison. And yet, there must be so many of us ‘displaced persons’ around the world. Maybe accounts for my restless streak. 🙂 🙂 You must be about to go on your own journey. Stay safe, and squeeze enjoyment out of every last second. Good luck!

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  9. Thank you for the lovely pictures – and it’s wonderful that your father found all those relatives. It’s a good reminder of where you come from. I am Polish on my maternal grandmothers side and I need to search out where she came from. Could be a difficult process since she came through Ellis Island with her mother in 1905!

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  13. Cake before AND after! Wow, that’s a lot of cake. Was interested to see the photo of the medieval cloth hall; so different from the ones here, but presumably did the same job. I hope you get to return to Poland one day Jo.

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    1. Believe me, Denzil, it IS a lot of cake! 🙂 🙂 I don’t know where they put it all. Polish people seem to have hollow legs. 🙂 Sukiennice isn’t like any building I’ve ever come across. If you ever get the chance, go and see.

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  14. Wonderful Jo, but also very moving, someone’s put water in my eyes. As you know, I found family I didn’t know and I’d love to go back, but it isn’t likely. Much easier for you, it would be fab, I remember all those photos of your cousins x:-)x

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    1. Yes, easy in some ways, Gilly. I wish I had a better grasp of the language, but that’s partly down to my own laziness. I’m waiting for an email from Adam, before I book anything. I’m sorry if I stirred memories for you, hon. Sending hugs 🙂 🙂

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  16. I loved reading this. Both the story and the way you write it! So poignant, interesting and humorous at the same time. How wonderful to be welcomed so warmly. One can never tell how these things are going to go, but can only hope for the best. So, are you starting to learn Polish?

    We have a dear friend who lives in Warsaw and we hope to get there to visit her one day.

    Peta

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    1. I have made a couple of efforts at learning Polish, Peta. I can read it a little but conversation and understanding I find extremely hard. I don’t carry on the good work when I’m back in England (or Portugal 🙂 ) unfortunately. Thanks so much for your lovely response to this post.

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  17. Thomas Wolfe wrote YOU CAN’T GO HOME AGAIN, but when you reach a certain age, you long to do so no matter how long the journey. I certainly have tried (and I have ‘homes’ in more than one place) — it’s worth the journeys!

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  18. Wow, what an interesting post. I must read your A-Z series. Poland looks beautiful. My son went on a school trip there last summer, but as you can probably imagine, it was not a “holiday” but more of a “roots” trip. He told me the countryside is beautiful.

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    1. A great deal of Central Poland is flat, Lisa, but there are beautiful mountain ranges at each of the borders. I was surprised by how lovely some of it is. 🙂 🙂

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  19. What a joy to read this, Jo, and what a joy it was for you and your (extended) family. The thing that really surprised me was finding out that hobbits must come from or be related to the Poles: second breakfasts, food at midday, etc. 🙂

    janet

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