Day of Delirium #371 - Poland Favorite Meal

I would safely say our favorite thing, albeit a small thing, was going out to dinner in Krakow at a place that I could have gluten free pierogi.

Not only was my meal perfect but my mother had regular pierogi and also had a perfect meal.

Our desserts were delicious and I know we would return to the same place when in Krakow again.

Family run and the locals choice, we couldn't do better than Pod Baranem.

A slightly longer review is on my Gluten Free R U blog if you are interested.

Day of Delirium #370 - Poland Musings

I could not have asked for a better trip to Poland. The group we went with was wonderful. The weather, for the most part, was excellent. The hotels were perfect. The bus driver was amazing. The tour guide was knowledgeable, attentive and lots of fun. I ate like a queen, without any questioning the gluten free options (there was even another person on the trip that was gluten free). The only things I would change would be a little more free time in each city and to do that I would add two more days to the trip.

My thoughts when I think back on the trip are that after being in Poland there is no doubt in my mind that I am Polish. In fact, I am even more proud to be Polish after visiting Poland and learning more history in person. The Polish people are strong, persistent, family loving people. I am all those things also. It sounds simple to say it that way but I really do understand now why I am the way I am. I think I make a pretty good Polack, except that I have no children to pass along my traditions to. I was even mistaken for being a native Polack when so many people would come up to me speaking Polish. I never wished I knew the language more than those time.

I am forever grateful that I was able to go on this trip with my Mother, who is first generation from Poland. It has been a dream of mine to go to Poland with her and the trip lived up to the dream.

I highly recommend a trip to Poland, whether you are Polish or not. It is a beautiful country and the exchange rate when we were there was incredible for us (almost 4 zloty for every $1). If I had really thought about it I would have probably shopped some more :) The history is deep, the people kind, the cities safe and most of all it is a proud country. I can't wait to return.

I will do more detailed posts about certain aspect of our trip, such as favorite things from the trip, Auschwitz and my souvenirs. There is just so much I want to share with you. I hope you will join me.

Day of Delirium #369 - a year already

So a year ago today I became a Toyota Rav 4 Hybrid owner.
It wasn’t the easiest decision but after a year, it really should have been.
I love my car.
She gets great gas mileage, she is quiet, she is dependable and she makes me feel safe.

Day of Delirium #368 - Lilac Girls

A book review:

Tomorrow I head to Poland for my adventure. My Mother had read this book and told me I should read it before going on the trip. Since I always listen to my Mother, I read the book... in 2 days and loved the book.

It is a very rough read at times as it is about the Holocaust... but it is about so much MORE than that.

It is three distinct narrators, Kasia a Polish teen, Herta a German doctor and Caroline an American. Each chapter is from one of their points of view. It is a very different way to write and out a novel together but after 20 or so chapters I feel into the groove and could almost tell who was speaking without seeing their name on the chapter title.

I want to tell you all about the book but you really need to read it yourself to capture the beauty of it all. Even the Holocaust horrors. It is a quite disturbing write up at times but it is required so that you can appreciate the strength, the heart and the magic of these women.

If you are Polish or if you care about the women of the Holocaust or if you are intrigued by a true story about history that is rarely known, then I recommend this book and even if you think you are none of these things... I recommend this book.

Day of Delirium #367 - a week from today

I will be waiting in JFK for my plane to Poland. To say I am excited is an understatement.

Not only is it a great vacation but to see my ancestral homeland with my Mother is a blessing beyond belief.

If anyone has any suggestions for Warsaw, Zakopane or Krakow, please let me know. We will have free time in each area and if there is something we shouldn’t miss I would love to know.

I can’t wait to fill my camera, my phone and my eyes with all the beautiful sights and to make memories to carry me through my life. We will take along some of Dad to leave there in his homeland and I am sure he will be there in spirit.

Thank you to my sister and brother-in-law again for finding the paper at the church and bringing it home.