The end.....

Well.... it has been:

5 weeks

9,000 miles (that is with 3,400 added for tomorrow's flight as well)

2 countries (and a third we stepped into for a photo op)

13+ cities

4 plane rides

10+ train rides

numerous bus, subway, and trolley rides

1 HORRIBLE UGLY BLACK BOOT

2 kids

1 very tired exhausted mom

TOO MANY AMAZING AND FABULOUS EXPERIENCES TO COUNT

It is time to go home.....and time to end this blog.  I want to thank my families in Germany and Poland for being so hospitable, caring, funny, and all around enjoyable.  I want to thank those who read my blog- I had such a blast writing it and it was a kind of therapy for me. It is also something I hope my kids will be able to read and enjoy one day (or at least shake their heads in embarrassment heheheeh).

Tomorrow we wake up at the crack of dawn and fly out at 9am Hamburg time....

So to end it all- I leave you with a picture of the kids enjoying their last ice cream in Hamburg and a quote from Dr. Seuss that I have been chanting to myself over and over these past few days while saying goodbye to family and holding back tears:

"Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened"

Planes....trains....and automobiles....the beginning of the end....

We flew out of Poland and landed in Koln, Germany where we were met by Adam and Ute.  The kids and I were so happy to see them again.  Of course we were welcomed back to Germany with a proper German meal consisting of pig(on the bone), potatoes, and good ole fashioned sauerkraut.  Oh and don't forget the German beer!!!

After a night of yummy food and drink, we reluctantly woke up early this morning to board the train for a 4 hour trip back to Hamburg, Germany.  All was going well till the two obnoxious Americans came on board 2 hours into the trip.  Here is my letter to them that I wrote as I sat there(pardon the language):

Dear Rude American Couple (i.e. jackasses),

There is nothing more annoying to me than a rude American in a foreign country.  It makes me so embarrassed for the rest of us Americans who come and visit.  You (wearing your Megadeath t-shirt) and your female companion (wearing an old German military jacket-really????!!!!) came on the train as if you owned it.  When you saw that someone else was sitting in your assigned seat you did not politely say "Excuse me I think that is my seat" (as most evolved humans would do).  OH no- that was not the way you showed your superiority- you decided to say in a very loud voice (perhaps because the noise blasting from your headphones caused some permanent hearing impairment) "THAT'S MY SEAT...YOU NEED TO MOVE!".  

After you were seated you then proceeded to loudly make comments on the smell of the sandwiches the people around you were eating(why cause it wasn't McDonalds????).  Not only were you making faces (like a 5 year old) but then you proceeded to hold your nose and make loud obnoxious comments (so that the whole train compartment could hear) such as "I'm going to throw up" and "I was hungry....now I am not". And my personal favorite "I am going to need a shower at the hotel after sitting here smelling this". 

I am only sorry that you were surrounded by kindly (English speaking may I add) German people who were too gracious to give you the time of day and kick your ass off the train.  They were kind enough to ignore you.  

P.S.- That goatee you are growing down to your chest looks about as "rocker" as your middle-aged beer belly.

Sincerely,

An American who thinks you suck
 

Krakow, Zabrze coal mine, and the beginnings of our departure.......

Krakow!

Getting ready to eat some yummy pierogies

 We packed up the kids yesterday and took the train to Krakow.  Krakow is about 50 miles away from Zabrze.  The train trip took us over 2 hours (ahhh-public transportation).  Krakow was founded over a thousand years ago and became Poland's capital in 1038.  The Wawel Royal castle was the home of Polish kings.  It was Poland's capital till 1791 when Warsaw was named the capital after a number of kings chose to reside in Warsaw after their coronation in Krakow.  It is the second most important city in Poland and is a cultural center.

Kids in front of Sukiennice

We spent the day walking around the "old town" which is filled with cafes, restaurants, and Sukiennice (Cloth hall).  This was once a major center of international trade.  During the 15th century it was a source of many exotic imports from the East (spices, teas, silks). Today it is mainly used to sell lots of souveniers from Poland. 

Inside Sukiennice

Outside of Wawel Castle

We also visited Wawel Royal Castle and visited the "Dragon's Den" a popular folklore in Polish history and the history of Krakow. The kids got to climb down into the den and walk around. 

Going into the Dragon's Den

We spent the day just enjoying one of the first sunny days in a long time. 



 

Outside the mine

Today we went to see "Guido" coal mine in Zabrze.  I was not too excited about this trip (there is nothing exciting or fun to me about going underground).  Kids really wanted to go so we went.  You could go to two depths- 170 meters (557 feet down) or 320 meters (1,049 feet down).  Christopher really wanted to go down all the way but Olivia was too young according to the tour guide.  We were told it was not safe- NOT SAFE????!!!!  Well then WHY would anyone go down that far??????  So, needless to say, we only went 557 feet down.  That was enough for me to get a sense of what a coal miners work was like in the past (they actually used HORSES in the mines). 

In the tight elevator going down 500 feet- Olivia's look is the mirror image of mine

The "elevator" we took down

The mine tunnels

Chris ready with his hard hat and his lamp

By an old mining machine

Happy miners

Just plain creepy

Now starts the frantic packing and repacking.  We have been in Poland for the last 18 days.  Tomorrow we begin a 4 day journey home.  We fly out to Koln, Germany tomorrow morning.  The long trip home and the end of our adventure is creeping up on us.  Not sure how I feel about it all just yet.  Overwhelmed with packing right now and not really wanting to think about anything else.  Kids are wild (nothing changed there!!!). 

Will blog from our next destination.  Goodbye Poland and family- it has been a really great adventure! Thank you for everything!!!

A bittersweet day.....

Today I spend the last day with my grandmother.  It was a wonderful day and yet a sadness enveloped us as we chatted and reminisced. I cherish every single moment I have with my grandmother.  She is such an important part of my life.  I have never met such an amazing person and am thankful that she is and has been in my life.  And damn it- I better look this good and be this sharp when I am in my late 80s!!  I love you babcia!!!!!

Downtown Zabrze....

Although the weather was rainy (again!), we took the kids to downtown Zabrze (the town I was born in and lived in till I was 5).  The main focus of the trip was for them to get to ride on the Trolley- as you may remember- my children are FANATICS when it comes to public transportation.  I, on the other hand, am tired of all transportation in general.

A trolley- oh the joy!!!

 So the trip down memory lane commenced after a very bumpy ride which only two small occupants seemed to revel in.  Kids were not facinated by the building where I lived as a baby, not too impressed when I showed them the church that my parents were married in, not really interested in downtown Zabrze.  They were, however, pretty excited about the fact that we would ride the trolley BACK home....On our next vacation I am just going to take them to Detroit and let them ride the buses and the People Mover all day!

St. Anna's Church- place my parents got married

Front of the building where I lived as a baby- top 3 center windows.

I have to confess that I did something very bad....this is something I NEVER do when I travel to another country and I swore not to do it this time either.  That was BEFORE I brought my kids with me...that was BEFORE I was bombarded with requests for chicken nuggets and a "real" hamburger from the offspring....so I gave in and went to McDonalds.  I bought a "real"(please take note of the quotes here) cheeseburger and "real" chicken nuggets.  I took the bag and brought it with us to the restaurant my cousin and I were going to eat at.  Now- before anyone comments- just know that my cousin and I had a very nice meal and my kids ate QUIETLY.  Don't judge people....don't judge....

Polish mountains....Druga Czesc (Part 2).....

The next morning we woke up with a very overcast sky and two hyper children ready to do some more exploring.  We decided to go to downtown Brenna and walk around a bit.  We found a really cool zipline/climbing area.  You could almost see Christopher salivate at the sight.  So of course I figured- why not?

So here we were the instructor telling me the important instructions in Polish and I had the job of translating to my son who was just beside himself with excitement.  He listened attentively and learned the rules so quickly- I was pretty impressed.  I was too busy taking pictures to think about the fact that there were no nets if he fell (again- mother of the year- cast your votes ladies and gentlemen!).  He of course went on the green course (beginner) first and did so well I was going to have him do the higher blue course but the thunder and lightening and rain that began forced Christopher to only be left with a need for more climbing and ziplining.....oh I think my son has got a need for speed....(anyone shocked?)

The following day we went to Ustron (another small town in the mountains).  There we went to Czantoria.  It is an area that is visited most during the winter months for awesome skiing and other winter sports.  We took the ski lift up to the top of the mountain but unfortunately the enormous slide that was there was closed due to the weather.

Katie and kids on ski lift

Afterwards we drove through the mountains, and into the Czech Republic!!!  That's right- I could not pass up the opportunity to make my kids enter yet another country for a picture.... we were only about 15 miles away from the border and I couldn't help myself.  My kids dutifully got out of the car and posed for the pictures (they are so used to the drill by now!)

Czech Republic welcomes Chris and Olivia!

A very serious game of War is about to begin

The weather drove us back to the house where we spent the rest of the day reading(me), painting (Chris and Livvy), and playing intense games of WAR (Livvy, Chris, and Katie).  There is something really cool about a thunderstorm in the mountains and Katie and I ended the day with a nice horror movie to add to the storm.

So we are now back in Zabrze.  We have been spending the last few days hanging out with my grandmother.  I am suddenly aware that my time here is winding down.  On Saturday we fly back to Germany and next Tuesday we fly back to the states.  I am both sad and relieved.  Traveling with two kids is hard work and exhausting. If I am this exhausted- I can only imagine how exhausted the kids are becoming.  I see it in their behavior and mine (the quick tears, the sudden impatience with each other).  Living out of a suitcase for 5 weeks in two different countries is something they haven't done.  I am grappling with other emotions as well- my family is here....my grandmother.....the thought of leaving makes me so sad....

Polish mountains.....

Five days without WiFi and somehow I survived!!!!  A milestone for me for those who know about my addiction to anything electronic/computer related!

My cousin Katie, the kids, and I left on Monday afternoon and headed to Brenna.  Brenna is one small town among the few scattered towns in the Beskid Slaski mountains of southern Poland.  Katie’s uncle has a summer home there and we thought it would be a fun place to take the kids. It took us about two hours to get there but it was worth it.   The only thing that did not cooperate with us was the weather.

The kids walking down the hill from our house

Such a lovely mountain home!

balcony of our house

View from our house

The house was a perfect specimen of what a hideaway in the mountains should be like.  Up high enough to have a breathtaking view of the mountains and still full of country charm with the occasional “moooo” of the cows next door.  The first night we got to experience some wonderful thunder and lightening like you can only experience up in the mountains.  Chris (not a fan) was a bit weary but Olivia was quite exited about it.

The next morning we took the kids to Lesny Park Niespodzianek. It is a nature park for kids.  The kids got to feed lots of little animals while I tried to climb up the hills made of unpaved rocks and stones.   Christopher got to go on the giant trampoline (which I hoped would get rid of some of his energy- NOT).  We also got to watch a really interesting eagle show.  We were literally inches away from an American Eagle.  At one point, he flew right at me and instead of ducking (like a normal human would do) I kept standing and taking pictures. Thus the great picture- and thus the fact that half my hair got ripped off by talons.....kidding :)

Chris with the American Eagle

Notice how everyone else is ducking and I am standing straight....cause I'm the "smart" one....

Tomorrow- more about our trip.....

Happy Birthday Olivia!!!!

Today my little baby girl turned 4.  I can't believe it has been 4 years since I first met her and fell in love with her tiny cheeks and her bright blue eyes.  She has grown so much.  This morning she woke up and proclaimed "Today is my REAL birthday!". 

Are these the pictures of a happy birthday girl? Could it be that she is disappointed in her cake or her gifts? OH NO my friends- these pictures are of a girl who's mother did a terrible thing...a horrible thing....she made her wear a DRESS for some pictures yesterday.  How dare I!  After my grandmother watched Olivia in utter pain (as if the very fabric was causing terrible discomfort), she said- just let the child wear a shirt!  heheeheheheh....so I did and again I am even further away from Mother of the Year Award.

Kids with my cousin Katie

Well, this morning Olivia decided that she WOULD wear a dress since she is now 4.  I jumped at the chance to get a few pictures of her in a cute dress I had bought just for her birthday.  We started out the morning with a trip to the local park.  This was followed by a delicious birthday dinner and some birthday cake.  Then came the presents.  I bought a few gifts here.  Small ones- ones that I could easily pack to take back to the states. Since she is not a girl who plays with dolls I asked her what she wanted for her birthday. She told me:

1. My own chewing gum
2. A mirror on the back of my bedroom door
3. A cellphone

Well- as Meatloaf said "Two out of three ain't bad".  The gum seemed to be a big hit :)

Thank you big girl for wearing the dress!

One happy birthday girl with a mouthful of gum!

Birthday girl with my Aunt Teresa

Tomorrow my cousin Katie, me, and the kids are heading out to Brenna, Poland. It is a small town in the countryside of Poland where her uncle has a house.  We are going there for 4 days for some fun adventures with the kids.  There may or may not be internet....but I will update as soon as I can!

A wonderful Saturday spent with family.....

Today we went with my Aunt Sophie, Uncle Ted, my second cousins Julia and Matthew for a fabulous day of exploration and family bonding.  Julia and Matthew are my cousin Bea's kids.  They are around the same ages as my kids.  When the four of them got together- there was no separating them.  It was like they were long lost friends who just started where they left off.  Matthew and Christopher were inseperable and Julia was such a sweet "older" sister to Olivia- taking her by hand and giving her ballet lessons.

Our trip began with a visit to Ogrodzieniec Castle.  Ogrodzieniec Castle at the highest point of the Krakow Upland- 500 meters (1640 feet).  The castle lies on what is known as “The Trail of the Eagles’ Nests” Szlak Orlich Gniazd in polish, named after a chain of 25 medieval castles which were built high on tall rocks between Czestochowa and Katowice. The castles date mostly to the 14th century and they were built to protect Krakow as well as important trading routes against  foreign invaders. Today there are only ruins but so much fun to visit. 

It was pretty cool walking around the ruins. There was a lot of stairs so I only made it up to the first section since my lovely boot had a hard time manuvering on the stone paths and stairs.  The kids, on the other hand, couldn't wait to climb up to the highest point.  Their reward (thanks to my Uncle Ted!!!) was a ride on the zipline from the highest point in the castle to the other side of the valley- WHAT A BLAST! Christopher, Matthew, and Julia were thrilled.  Olivia was still too small to try it (doesn't mean she didn't want to).  Now I know for a FACT that my kids will want a zipline installed in our backyard. ( John start figuring this out!)

Christopher ziplining!!!!!

Yup- that's him way up that high.....

After this fun adventure, Uncle Ted (a big kid himself which I love!) took the older kids to a go-cart place where they proceeded to race around like crazy in total happiness.  The ending of the day was at my babcia's house for some early birthday cake and presents for Olivia (her birthday is tomorrow).

Uncle Ted and the kids

Aunt Sophie with Christopher (who apparently has a mouthful of birthday cake)

When it was time to leave- it took all we had to pry the kids away from each other.  They just had such a wonderful time bonding with their cousins.  I also had a fabulous time with my Aunt and Uncle and my second cousins....Thank you to my Aunt and Uncle for such an amazing day!! (AND THE DELICIOUS DINNER!)