On Tuesday I'll be celebrating my second Canada Day in Poland. I'm trying to think of a way to celebrate it with my team, but am stuck on what to do. When I asked my American colleagues if they were going to celebrate the 4th of July here, they answered that you need a picnic with hot dog, hamburgers and fireworks to really celebrate it.
And I guess that's what a lot of you will be doing in Canada on Tuesday.
Any suggestions as to what I can do here? I am thinking of kidnapping my team for the afternoon and taking them on a picnic, albeit without hotdogs, hamburgers, or fireworks.
Obviously I need some inspiration. Help!
Sunday, June 29, 2008
De Do Do Do
The Police were probably the first band I fell in love with in the early 80s, but I never got to see them in person, as I was too young to attend concerts when they last played live.
So you can imagine my envy last summer when I heard the Police were touring again, playing concerts in both Edmonton and Toronto. You can also imagine my delight in March when I drove past a huge billboard advertising the Police in Poland.
Thursday night found me and two friends, one German, one Polish, in an old football stadium in Chorzow waiting for the Police to play. As the concert began, I realized that most of the 50 000 plus fans would have never seen the Police before, as western bands couldn't get into eastern Europe in the 70s and 80s.
The size of the audience seemed even more incredible when I found out that fans wouldn't have been able to purchase any of the band's albums in Poland when they were first released.
But the crowd, largely made up of people in their 40s and 50s, obviously knew and loved the Police, cheering wildly with each song, and dancing enthusiastically in their seats and on the field.
At the end of the night when all 50 000 of us were standing and singing along with Sting, it struck me that most of the audience didn't speak English, yet knew every word of every song.
Fantastic concert. Even better memories.
I should have bought the t-shirt.
So you can imagine my envy last summer when I heard the Police were touring again, playing concerts in both Edmonton and Toronto. You can also imagine my delight in March when I drove past a huge billboard advertising the Police in Poland.
Thursday night found me and two friends, one German, one Polish, in an old football stadium in Chorzow waiting for the Police to play. As the concert began, I realized that most of the 50 000 plus fans would have never seen the Police before, as western bands couldn't get into eastern Europe in the 70s and 80s.
The size of the audience seemed even more incredible when I found out that fans wouldn't have been able to purchase any of the band's albums in Poland when they were first released.
But the crowd, largely made up of people in their 40s and 50s, obviously knew and loved the Police, cheering wildly with each song, and dancing enthusiastically in their seats and on the field.
At the end of the night when all 50 000 of us were standing and singing along with Sting, it struck me that most of the audience didn't speak English, yet knew every word of every song.
Fantastic concert. Even better memories.
I should have bought the t-shirt.
Saturday, June 21, 2008
Solo
For the first time in a month I am without guests.
It feels odd, and just a bit lonely to be alone in my flat with just Flannery and Small to keep me company.
Not sure what I'll miss more - my friends' sparkling conversation or all of the lovely home-cooked meals they have made me.
Only 3 more weeks until the next set of visitors arrive.
It feels odd, and just a bit lonely to be alone in my flat with just Flannery and Small to keep me company.
Not sure what I'll miss more - my friends' sparkling conversation or all of the lovely home-cooked meals they have made me.
Only 3 more weeks until the next set of visitors arrive.
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Queuing
Over the past year I'd heard horror stories of having to wait in lines at various Polish offices, however until this past week I'd never experienced it first hand.
Last Thursday I met my agent at one of the government offices to pick up my residency card. She told me that she'd already been in line for 90 minutes and that the line had barely moved, quickly pointing out various people who were in line in front of us. The structure of the line wasn't obvious, as some people were sitting in a row of chairs, while others were standing in spots around the hallway.
As a foreigner, I would never have figured out this system alone. The office was behind a door, and it seemed logical to my Canadian mind that I would go in that door first, instead of waiting outside in the hallway. Which is exactly what some other foreigner did, only to be told by someone waiting in line that they had to go to the back of the line.
I got to test the system out myself yesterday when I went to visit a dental specialist for my aforementioned jaw issues. Since I didn't have a specific appointment, only a referral form from the emergency department I visited on Friday, my first stop was reception to find out where I should go. The English-speaking receptionist took pity on me and escorted me up to the 2nd floor, telling me to sit in the chairs in the hallway while she went in to talk to the dentists.
When she reappeared, she told me that they would see me, but I would have to wait, maybe for an hour or more. So I did, sitting patiently in my chair until everyone else around me had gone in. 90 minutes later I saw a dentist briefly only to be sent off to for x-rays in the basement.
Navigating the x-ray cue was a little trickier. First, I wasn't sure what x-ray was in Polish (rentgen for those of you who are interested), and wandered around the basement floor looking for it. Next, I wasn't really sure what to do about the line. Did I sit in the chairs in the hallway and wait, or did I take my chit into the x-ray technicians and wait to be called the way I would in Canada? Still unsure of protocol, I went with what I knew and went through the door.
I was quickly told by someone waiting in line that I had made the wrong choice and that I had to wait in line too. So out I went and sat in the last vacant chair. A few minutes later an older Polish man motioned me into the chair in front of me. I am not sure if he was just being polite, or if I had actually arrived before he had. For the next 30 minutes, every time someone went into the office, everyone in line stood up, moved over one chair and sat back down again.
When it was my turn, I went in, gave my chit, explained I didn't have Polish insurance, then was sent upstairs to pay before I could have my x-ray. When I came back down, I didn't know which line to stand or sit in. I chose to just stand in front of the door, and sure enough when it opened again, I showed my receipt and was motioned in to finally get my x-rays.
Finally I was sent back upstairs to see the dentist again, where I had to figure out what to do all over again.
Jaw update
My face was back to normal size by the time I went to see the specialist, but I still have some pain. No one could give me an answer on why it happened, but they all agreed it wasn't dislocated, which didn't really satisfy me. I have to go back again in 6 weeks to see someone who is going to make me some kind of mouth guard, so I am keeping my fingers crossed that my face doesn't balloon up again before then. Today most of the pain is gone, but I am still eating soft foods and am taking my painkillers with me on my abbreviated vacation this week.
Last Thursday I met my agent at one of the government offices to pick up my residency card. She told me that she'd already been in line for 90 minutes and that the line had barely moved, quickly pointing out various people who were in line in front of us. The structure of the line wasn't obvious, as some people were sitting in a row of chairs, while others were standing in spots around the hallway.
As a foreigner, I would never have figured out this system alone. The office was behind a door, and it seemed logical to my Canadian mind that I would go in that door first, instead of waiting outside in the hallway. Which is exactly what some other foreigner did, only to be told by someone waiting in line that they had to go to the back of the line.
I got to test the system out myself yesterday when I went to visit a dental specialist for my aforementioned jaw issues. Since I didn't have a specific appointment, only a referral form from the emergency department I visited on Friday, my first stop was reception to find out where I should go. The English-speaking receptionist took pity on me and escorted me up to the 2nd floor, telling me to sit in the chairs in the hallway while she went in to talk to the dentists.
When she reappeared, she told me that they would see me, but I would have to wait, maybe for an hour or more. So I did, sitting patiently in my chair until everyone else around me had gone in. 90 minutes later I saw a dentist briefly only to be sent off to for x-rays in the basement.
Navigating the x-ray cue was a little trickier. First, I wasn't sure what x-ray was in Polish (rentgen for those of you who are interested), and wandered around the basement floor looking for it. Next, I wasn't really sure what to do about the line. Did I sit in the chairs in the hallway and wait, or did I take my chit into the x-ray technicians and wait to be called the way I would in Canada? Still unsure of protocol, I went with what I knew and went through the door.
I was quickly told by someone waiting in line that I had made the wrong choice and that I had to wait in line too. So out I went and sat in the last vacant chair. A few minutes later an older Polish man motioned me into the chair in front of me. I am not sure if he was just being polite, or if I had actually arrived before he had. For the next 30 minutes, every time someone went into the office, everyone in line stood up, moved over one chair and sat back down again.
When it was my turn, I went in, gave my chit, explained I didn't have Polish insurance, then was sent upstairs to pay before I could have my x-ray. When I came back down, I didn't know which line to stand or sit in. I chose to just stand in front of the door, and sure enough when it opened again, I showed my receipt and was motioned in to finally get my x-rays.
Finally I was sent back upstairs to see the dentist again, where I had to figure out what to do all over again.
Jaw update
My face was back to normal size by the time I went to see the specialist, but I still have some pain. No one could give me an answer on why it happened, but they all agreed it wasn't dislocated, which didn't really satisfy me. I have to go back again in 6 weeks to see someone who is going to make me some kind of mouth guard, so I am keeping my fingers crossed that my face doesn't balloon up again before then. Today most of the pain is gone, but I am still eating soft foods and am taking my painkillers with me on my abbreviated vacation this week.
Sunday, June 15, 2008
Oops
Poland's next game is actually Monday night, not tonight, as S and I found out when we wandered by the big outside screen tonight and wondered why the crowd was small and not very boisterous. Turns out Turkey was playing the Czech Republic.
I expect tomorrow night to be much louder.
I expect tomorrow night to be much louder.
Saturday, June 14, 2008
Euro 2008!
Many of you will know that the Euro 2008 cup is on right now (although I wager just as many of you have no idea what it even is).
Euro 2008 is a huge deal in Poland, as it is the first time that the Polish team has made it to the final tournament. Red and white flags are everywhere and the bars and squares are full on game nights.
A huge TV screen has been set up, complete with bleachers and beer tents, in plac Szczepanski which is just minutes from my house. S and I wandered over to see the action (if not the game) Sunday evening when Poland was playing their first match against Germany. The stands were full and the crowds were chanting "Polska, Polska" and everywhere everyone was having a great time.
The party atmosphere dissolved when Germany won 2 nil, but we were fortunate enough to be in the same area Thursday night just as Poland scored their first (and only goal thus far) in the tournament against Austria. The cheers were enormous and people were jumping up and down and hoisting others in the air.
Next game: Sunday night vs Croatia. I expect you all to be cheering for Poland!
Euro 2008 is a huge deal in Poland, as it is the first time that the Polish team has made it to the final tournament. Red and white flags are everywhere and the bars and squares are full on game nights.
A huge TV screen has been set up, complete with bleachers and beer tents, in plac Szczepanski which is just minutes from my house. S and I wandered over to see the action (if not the game) Sunday evening when Poland was playing their first match against Germany. The stands were full and the crowds were chanting "Polska, Polska" and everywhere everyone was having a great time.
The party atmosphere dissolved when Germany won 2 nil, but we were fortunate enough to be in the same area Thursday night just as Poland scored their first (and only goal thus far) in the tournament against Austria. The cheers were enormous and people were jumping up and down and hoisting others in the air.
Next game: Sunday night vs Croatia. I expect you all to be cheering for Poland!
Friday night in Nowa Huta
My original plan for today was to be on the road somewhere with my good friend S, who is visiting me for two weeks from Toronto.
The revised plan is now to lounge around my apartment taking painkillers and muscle relaxants.
A few weeks ago, I started to have some discomfort in my jaw, and after my experiences in March assumed that I was going to have to spend some more time in the dentist's chair. However, it was only minor discomfort, and I was traveling, so figured I could wait until an appointment I had scheduled for later in June.
Then last week while in Berlin my jaw just near my ear was quite tender to touch. I resolved to go to the dentist this week and booked an appointment for Friday, which turned out to be a little too late. By Thursday night I was in agony and couldn't chew anything as my bottom and upper teeth no longer touched.
I managed to fall asleep only to be awoken by a nightmare that my head was breaking apart. Not much sleep for the rest of the night, as I had pain in my head whenever I lay down.
Friday morning wasn't much better. I was slightly freaked out by my appearance: right side of the face swollen and teeth still not able to meet. So off I went to the dentist, who thought that they might be able to manipulate my jaw back into the correct position when it was frozen. After a few painful attempts and a consultation with the dental surgeon, they decided I needed to see a specialist.
Being late Friday afternoon, the only option was to go to the emergency wing of a maxio facial department in a hospital. The dentist recommended one in Nowa Huta, which is the large communist planned suburb outside of Krakow.
So address in hand, S and I set off Friday evening by cab to the hospital. Turns out it was the same hospital that I visited last year for my one and only previous medical appointment in Krakow.
The other patients in the waiting room seemed to have experienced face traumas (ie lots of blood). One young boy had obviously had a bad fall off his bike and was scraped and bleeding from numerous appendages, as well as his chin. Another man, who lucked like he was down on his luck, seemed to be feeling no pain although his face was mangled and bloody.
When it was my turn, the doctors poked and prodded me, making me open and close my mouth repeatedly, which sounds benign, but actually was so painful that I teared up. After much discussion in Polish, they decided that my jaw was not dislocated, but that the swelling was causing me not to be able to close my mouth, and that I have to see a specialist Monday morning to put the jaw back in place and determine the cause of the swelling.
To get me through the weekend they prescribed the aformentioned cocktail of pain killers and muscle relaxants, which enabled me to sleep through the night and feel human again.
This morning, optimistically, I told S that I thought the swelling had gone down, and that my colour had improved. However, she just looked at me and shook her head.
She did admit just now that yesterday I looked yellow and now I just look pale. Regardless, I feel better. And hopefully, on Monday I'll be able to chew.
So my vacation is postponed, at least until Tuesday, and S has a few more days to explore Krakow (albeit by foot as I am not allowed to drive while taking these drugs). With any luck we will be able to head out to location in Poland on Tuesday.
The revised plan is now to lounge around my apartment taking painkillers and muscle relaxants.
A few weeks ago, I started to have some discomfort in my jaw, and after my experiences in March assumed that I was going to have to spend some more time in the dentist's chair. However, it was only minor discomfort, and I was traveling, so figured I could wait until an appointment I had scheduled for later in June.
Then last week while in Berlin my jaw just near my ear was quite tender to touch. I resolved to go to the dentist this week and booked an appointment for Friday, which turned out to be a little too late. By Thursday night I was in agony and couldn't chew anything as my bottom and upper teeth no longer touched.
I managed to fall asleep only to be awoken by a nightmare that my head was breaking apart. Not much sleep for the rest of the night, as I had pain in my head whenever I lay down.
Friday morning wasn't much better. I was slightly freaked out by my appearance: right side of the face swollen and teeth still not able to meet. So off I went to the dentist, who thought that they might be able to manipulate my jaw back into the correct position when it was frozen. After a few painful attempts and a consultation with the dental surgeon, they decided I needed to see a specialist.
Being late Friday afternoon, the only option was to go to the emergency wing of a maxio facial department in a hospital. The dentist recommended one in Nowa Huta, which is the large communist planned suburb outside of Krakow.
So address in hand, S and I set off Friday evening by cab to the hospital. Turns out it was the same hospital that I visited last year for my one and only previous medical appointment in Krakow.
The other patients in the waiting room seemed to have experienced face traumas (ie lots of blood). One young boy had obviously had a bad fall off his bike and was scraped and bleeding from numerous appendages, as well as his chin. Another man, who lucked like he was down on his luck, seemed to be feeling no pain although his face was mangled and bloody.
When it was my turn, the doctors poked and prodded me, making me open and close my mouth repeatedly, which sounds benign, but actually was so painful that I teared up. After much discussion in Polish, they decided that my jaw was not dislocated, but that the swelling was causing me not to be able to close my mouth, and that I have to see a specialist Monday morning to put the jaw back in place and determine the cause of the swelling.
To get me through the weekend they prescribed the aformentioned cocktail of pain killers and muscle relaxants, which enabled me to sleep through the night and feel human again.
This morning, optimistically, I told S that I thought the swelling had gone down, and that my colour had improved. However, she just looked at me and shook her head.
She did admit just now that yesterday I looked yellow and now I just look pale. Regardless, I feel better. And hopefully, on Monday I'll be able to chew.
So my vacation is postponed, at least until Tuesday, and S has a few more days to explore Krakow (albeit by foot as I am not allowed to drive while taking these drugs). With any luck we will be able to head out to location in Poland on Tuesday.
Thursday, June 5, 2008
Tired, again
I'm in a hotel just outside Berlin on course this week. It's a lovely, if remote location - the hotel is in the forest on the shores of Lake Muggelsee.
Somehow last week, I missed the end of spring and beginning of summer (perhaps because I was in the office working during the days). But here in Berlin summer has definitely started. The days are long and hot.
The one downside to summer both in Berlin and in Krakow is that the sun comes up before 4 am. At home in Krakow I don't have any window coverings for my skylights, which means that when the sun gets up, so do I. And regardless of how I arrange the curtains in this hotel room, the sun still manages to find its way in to wake me up.
Somehow last week, I missed the end of spring and beginning of summer (perhaps because I was in the office working during the days). But here in Berlin summer has definitely started. The days are long and hot.
The one downside to summer both in Berlin and in Krakow is that the sun comes up before 4 am. At home in Krakow I don't have any window coverings for my skylights, which means that when the sun gets up, so do I. And regardless of how I arrange the curtains in this hotel room, the sun still manages to find its way in to wake me up.
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