It's 10 am in Krakow and 8 degrees. The forecast high for the day is 13. Plus it's grey and cloudy.
Last weekend it was 30 degrees on Saturday and 29 on Sunday. Last night it was so cold I had to get my winter duvet out.
I am not ready for summer to be over yet. I'm hoping this is just a blip . . .
Sunday, September 14, 2008
Saturday, September 13, 2008
The Wild West?
A few weeks ago a note went around my office inviting everyone to a company picnic. The theme for this year's party was the Old West, complete with native dancers, cowboy-themed games and country and western dancing.
My first reaction was laughter. After all, I grew up in Alberta, and my hometown hosts an annual rodeo, which is part of the qualifying circuit for the Stampede. Poland doesn't even have beef cattle!
But then I became intrigued. How would the Poles interpret the old west?
Today I found out. The dancers (all Poles) wore native costumes with varying degree of authenticity. Some looked similar to what I remember seeing in Alberta and in museums there, while others looked like they might have actually come from India.
Although the dancing was enthusiastic and participatory - audience members were dragged in - one of my Polish colleagues remarked that some of it looked remarkably similar to a Polish waltz.
However, the country music later in the evening and the accompanying dancing was a bit closer to the mark. I was never part of the country scene growing up, and can't two-step to save my life, but hearing several old country songs while sitting in a Polish hall, watching several of my co-workers attempt to line dance made me yearn for the real west.
My first reaction was laughter. After all, I grew up in Alberta, and my hometown hosts an annual rodeo, which is part of the qualifying circuit for the Stampede. Poland doesn't even have beef cattle!
But then I became intrigued. How would the Poles interpret the old west?
Today I found out. The dancers (all Poles) wore native costumes with varying degree of authenticity. Some looked similar to what I remember seeing in Alberta and in museums there, while others looked like they might have actually come from India.
Although the dancing was enthusiastic and participatory - audience members were dragged in - one of my Polish colleagues remarked that some of it looked remarkably similar to a Polish waltz.
However, the country music later in the evening and the accompanying dancing was a bit closer to the mark. I was never part of the country scene growing up, and can't two-step to save my life, but hearing several old country songs while sitting in a Polish hall, watching several of my co-workers attempt to line dance made me yearn for the real west.
Friday, September 5, 2008
Dancing queens
During my holiday with my brother and his family, I often threatened my nieces by promising to write about their (mis)adventures on this blog.
Although they pretended to be mortified by such exposure, I know they are secretly craving the fame that comes with a mention here. So my little bratanicas (Polish for nieces), your 5 minutes has come.
From now on, I'll always think of Budapest when I hear certain ABBA songs, particularly Mamma Mia and Super Trooper. The bratanicas saw the movie Mamma Mia (twice) just before they came to Poland, and their father thoughtfully loaded their iPods with the soundtrack.
We spent many, many hours on trains to and from Budapest, and ABBA was in high rotation. H particularly likes to sing along with her iPod, which isn't always the best idea when you are sitting in a train compartment full of your family members. Being resourceful, and tired of the relentless teasing, she found an empty cabin where she could sing aloud to her heart's content, much to the amusement of the conductor who came to check her ticket.
A similar train compartment was the site of my favourite moment of that trip. After 10 or so hours of boat and then train travel, we were all tired and a bit giddy. H was still singing aloud to her iPod, when I realized I had ABBA on mine. I suggested that we try to synch up and listen to the same song.
So with one earphone in my ear and one in M's, and H sharing hers with her mother, we starting listening to the same tunes. And as everyone knows, you can't just listen to an ABBA song, you have to sing along. So slightly out of synch, and terribly out of tune, two generations of Hex women sang loudly and enthusiastically to all the hits. We gestured, we giggled, and we made up the words.
I loved every minute of it.
Although they pretended to be mortified by such exposure, I know they are secretly craving the fame that comes with a mention here. So my little bratanicas (Polish for nieces), your 5 minutes has come.
From now on, I'll always think of Budapest when I hear certain ABBA songs, particularly Mamma Mia and Super Trooper. The bratanicas saw the movie Mamma Mia (twice) just before they came to Poland, and their father thoughtfully loaded their iPods with the soundtrack.
We spent many, many hours on trains to and from Budapest, and ABBA was in high rotation. H particularly likes to sing along with her iPod, which isn't always the best idea when you are sitting in a train compartment full of your family members. Being resourceful, and tired of the relentless teasing, she found an empty cabin where she could sing aloud to her heart's content, much to the amusement of the conductor who came to check her ticket.
A similar train compartment was the site of my favourite moment of that trip. After 10 or so hours of boat and then train travel, we were all tired and a bit giddy. H was still singing aloud to her iPod, when I realized I had ABBA on mine. I suggested that we try to synch up and listen to the same song.
So with one earphone in my ear and one in M's, and H sharing hers with her mother, we starting listening to the same tunes. And as everyone knows, you can't just listen to an ABBA song, you have to sing along. So slightly out of synch, and terribly out of tune, two generations of Hex women sang loudly and enthusiastically to all the hits. We gestured, we giggled, and we made up the words.
I loved every minute of it.
The kitchen is closed
After 5 months of hosting many of my family and friends, my last house guests have gone home.
And I'm sad about it.
But not sad enough to invite anyone else to stay just yet :)
I think I spent more time with the important people in my life in Krakow this past spring and summer then I did when I was living in Canada. And without fail, after each visit I wished that the family member or friend lived here so that I could see them more often.
I'm not ready to leave Krakow yet, but I do wish you all lived here too.
And I'm sad about it.
But not sad enough to invite anyone else to stay just yet :)
I think I spent more time with the important people in my life in Krakow this past spring and summer then I did when I was living in Canada. And without fail, after each visit I wished that the family member or friend lived here so that I could see them more often.
I'm not ready to leave Krakow yet, but I do wish you all lived here too.
Sunday, August 24, 2008
Back from Budapest
I've been on hiatus for a while due to a quick business trip to Germany and then a longer action-packed trip to Bratislava and Budapest with my older brother, sister-in-law, and two nieces (ages 12 and 13).
The two Bs, Bratislava and Budapest, were lovely cities, full of castles, great architecture (both old and communist era), good food, and tourists.
Budapest was scorching. I don't know what the daytime temperatures were, but it was over 30 degrees when we went out for dinner each night around 8 pm. Luckily we were staying at the Gellert Hotel,an institution in Budapest, and made good use of the baths there. I particularly enjoyed swimming in the "effervescent pool" which was surrounded by Greek columns.
Somehow my nieces (and the lure of those columns) got me up earlier each day on my vacation to swim laps then I do to go to work. However, the novelty has worn off for them; it is now nearly 10 am and they are both still asleep. So much for H's resolution to get up early every day.
We're back in Krakow now - I'm tanned, tired, and happy.
More on our exploits later.
The two Bs, Bratislava and Budapest, were lovely cities, full of castles, great architecture (both old and communist era), good food, and tourists.
Budapest was scorching. I don't know what the daytime temperatures were, but it was over 30 degrees when we went out for dinner each night around 8 pm. Luckily we were staying at the Gellert Hotel,an institution in Budapest, and made good use of the baths there. I particularly enjoyed swimming in the "effervescent pool" which was surrounded by Greek columns.
Somehow my nieces (and the lure of those columns) got me up earlier each day on my vacation to swim laps then I do to go to work. However, the novelty has worn off for them; it is now nearly 10 am and they are both still asleep. So much for H's resolution to get up early every day.
We're back in Krakow now - I'm tanned, tired, and happy.
More on our exploits later.
Thursday, August 7, 2008
Peanut butter cups
Are my new addiction.
At some point in the last year my American colleagues shared their stash of peanut butter cups with me. I've always been a peanut butter (and chocolate) fan, but hadn't missed it until they mentioned them.
But once I had that first peanut butter cup in Krakow, I was hooked.
Since then, I've had a few people bring me over peanut butter cups, which I try to ration to a cup a day or less. Sadly rationing has gone out the window this week as my last visitors brought me a bulk box of king size cups, which come in packs of two.
I didn't know king sized peanut butter cups even existed.
I prefer not not to think about how many calories are in each one and just savour the peanut butter chocolatey goodness while the box lasts. Which likely won't be long . . .
At some point in the last year my American colleagues shared their stash of peanut butter cups with me. I've always been a peanut butter (and chocolate) fan, but hadn't missed it until they mentioned them.
But once I had that first peanut butter cup in Krakow, I was hooked.
Since then, I've had a few people bring me over peanut butter cups, which I try to ration to a cup a day or less. Sadly rationing has gone out the window this week as my last visitors brought me a bulk box of king size cups, which come in packs of two.
I didn't know king sized peanut butter cups even existed.
I prefer not not to think about how many calories are in each one and just savour the peanut butter chocolatey goodness while the box lasts. Which likely won't be long . . .
And her name is Mia
I finally got in touch with my little brother tonight, and found out more about my new niece (I did find out her name, via email, a few days after she was born).
Some days living on a different continent from the rest of my family seems like a crazy thing to be doing.
Some days living on a different continent from the rest of my family seems like a crazy thing to be doing.
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