POLAND.....

A few months ago I decided it would be easier for all involved if I just bought some plane tickets from Bonn/Koln, Germany(where Adam and Ute live)  to Katowice, Poland.  Europe has just as many "Economy" airlines as we do.  So I did some internet research (which I love BTW) and found one called WIZZ.  It's colors are purple and pink AND they fly to Poland from Germany cheap- like $50 per person .  Well then....I was sold....let's be honest the purple airplane was pretty cool looking too!  It was not until AFTER I bought the tickets did I start asking my relatives in Europe if they ever heard of WIZZ airlines.....uhmmmm- APPARENTLY NOT!  Oh that didn't raise my anxiety level-not ONE bit....

The day of the flight came and I figured- "Well, what is the worst that could happen?" (No answer needed here).  I was very pleasantly surprised.  The airline was just fine and the flight was an hour and 20 minutes with no issues.  The kids actually said to me "That's it?  The flight is over?" (oh my little world travelers). 

We arrived safe and sound to my Aunt Teresa and Uncle Richard's house in Zabrze.  Zabrze, Poland (and specifically Gliwice, Poland is were I was born and lived till I was around 5 years old) The kids were so elated to see Katie (my cousin- the one who spent the summer with us last year).  When asked if they thought Poland looked different than Germany they answered- "No- we can't understand any of them" (heheheeh).

The following morning my cousin Katie drove us to my grandmother's house.  If you don't know this about me already- I simply ADORE my grandmother.  She is such a special person in my life and such a huge influence in who I am and who I strive to be.  I couldn't wait for her to see Christopher again (last time she saw him he was 2.5 years old) and meet Olivia for the first time.
((SIDEBAR: At this point in our journey the children have met sooo many aunts, uncles, and cousins that they are totally confused with who is whom.  So when I told them we were going to see my Babcia (grandmother in Polish) they assumed it was THEIR babcia (my mom whom they call Babcia in the states).  These poor kids- have no clue who all these no english speaking adults are and how they are all related to them.))

I would have lied if I said that the visit with my grandmother went without a hitch.  Don't get me wrong- I was in HEAVEN being with her.  She got a kick out of the kids and she and I had a wonderful time sitting and talking.  That lasted about 1 HOUR and then my kids started getting stir crazy.  My grandmother lives in a tiny apartment and it was so hot outside we couldn't leave the apartment.  Apparently my children don't care about stories of the "old days" especially in a language they don't understand(shame on them!!! or maybe shame on me??? :))  So instead of me just sitting in awe and listening to stories of my dad's childhood and my grandmother's life my day went sort of like this:

"Chris stop RUNNING"

"Olivia don't keep playing with that door- it's not an accordion!"

"Christoper that is not a TOY"

"Olivia stop running in and out of the bathroom just to see the light turn on by itself!"

"YES- this IS dinner and you will eat it and you will LIKE IT!"

"No- you can't play on the balcony"

Needless to say- I am going back to see her on Friday- this time BY MYSELF.  I am leaving the kids in the care of my cousin Katie (thank you sooo much Katie!!!) and I am going to take the train and then the bus to see her.  I will get to spend the whole day listening to her stories and just being around this woman I have called my "mama-babcia" (mommy-grandma) since I was 2.5 years old.  I can't WAIT!!!