10 things I love about Poland
I’ve been living in Poland for more than 5 months now and I haven’t written something about my experiences here. I am volunteering in a school in Poland so it’s pointless to mention why this blogpost comes now. In the darkest of times it’s important to remember to turn on the light, so here are some things I really enjoy in Poland.
I have always liked green environments but being here really sparked my love of nature. I am happy to live in Bialystok, the capital of the Podlasie region which is often referred to as ‘the green lungs of Poland’. I was training for the Cracow marathon before all big events were canceled. It’s unfortunate that I can’t run this race anymore but when being locked up inside it is still a blessing to escape into the woods. I hope I can do one more trail running race in a national park before I go back to Belgium.
Polish dumplings have become one of my new favourite foods. You can find them in the supermarket but the better stuff is served in a pierogi restaurant or ‘Pierogarnia’. I really like this because the amount of possible fillings is unlimited. Moreover, you can choose to boil them or bake them and eat them with a sauce you prefer. There is the right pierogi for every person, every mood, every kind of weather,… I ate the pierogi on the right in Pierogarnia Mandu in Gdansk. They were baked pierogi filled with bacon and mushrooms. With some sour cream and a beer on the side this is awesome comfort food.
3)Â Â People really say how they feel (or they like to complain)
I am so used to people responding ‘Cava hé’ when I ask them how they’re doing that it was a bit strange to get a different response in Poland. Sometimes they say ‘Dobrze’ which means good but mostly the Poles respond with ‘Jako tako’ which means ‘so-so’. Or they don’t say anything at all and ever so often you will hear how they are really doing, whether you like it or not. After all it is known that Polish people just like to complain to someone as well. Because of this it is not that common here to ask how a person is feeling. Generally the Polish people just greet each other with ‘Część’ and that’s it.
While I am a huge fan of our Belgian beer culture and I prefer drinking a good beer over a long talk in a pub it is nice to see how people bond with a shot of this strong alcoholic drink. You’re only friends if you drank vodka together and at social events it is important to have a toast. I got the chance to go to an ‘end of season party’ of a local football club and I don’t think I’ve ever drank that much vodka in my life.Â
I believe that everywhere you go you will meet nice people and people who are less nice.. But the biggest part of Poles I’ve met have been very friendly and helpful to me.
6)Â Â Â Â My work in the school
To be honest, I don’t have to do a lot of hard work. I am a volunteer so this means the school where I’m working can perfectly function without me. Briefly, I am just there so the disabled pupils can connect with someone their age who isn’t an ‘adult’ or a teacher. And I can bring some international atmosphere into the school. It’s really nice to see the smiles on their faces when they see you and I get the most sympathetic greetings when I walk in the corridor. I get the most enjoyment out of the cooking classes and physical education.
7)Â Â Â Â The other volunteers
My time here would be totally different if I was not constantly around other volunteers. It is always nice to be in an international environment and to really get to know people. Whether it’s in our polish lessons, some circus workshop or a theater performance we’re playing, we always have fun sharing this wonderful experience.
I’m afraid I’ll have to put my wanderlust cravings on hold now but living in Poland for 5 months gave me the opportunity to explore this land and it’s neighboring countries. I have been in Gdansk, Warsaw, Lodz, Torun, Suwalki, Lithuania and Kaliningrad but actually I don’t have to go far to see nice places since there are a lot of pretty villages around Bialystok which have some nice scenery and cosy local places.
 Yes it’s hard and I can’t imagine how ridiculous it must sometimes sound when I try to talk in Polish but I try and I really like how detailed the Polish language is in terms of grammar. Besides, if I am continually immersed in a foreign language I automatically start to like how people talk and express themselves in this language. Polish people really appreciate it when you try to speak their language and even a simple ‘Dziękuję’ (Thank you) will get you a ton of compliments.
Normally I don’t have the biggest sweet tooth but my god, Polish desserts are so delicious. Pączki, faworki, makowiec, sękacz, sernik, pierniki,… The list is endless and they look as good as they taste.
PS: Polish men give handshakes every time they see each other, at every moment so I guess it is difficult for them to not do this now.
