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Leaving Poland, not Polish Housewife

December 6, 2014 by polishhousewife 12 Comments

If you follow Polish Housewife’s facebook page, you’ve probably picked up on the fact that we’re leaving Poland. After five years, it feels like Ed has taught the Polish Air Force all that he can, so we are headed back to the United States.

We’re leaving Poland, but not leaving Polish Housewife. I’ll continue to blog about what I’m cooking, much of it Polish. I’ll also write about things that I find interesting in daily life or in our travels just as I’ve done while we’ve been in Poland.  I also have a wealth of connections in Poland that I hope will write occasional guest posts for me.

We began the countdown in August; we're getting close!

We began the countdown in August; we’re getting close!

Leaving Poland

The ball is rolling. Our household goods have been shipped. The keys to our flat have been returned to the landlord. We’re staying in a hotel for our last two weeks in Poznan. It’s an emotional time.

Available from the Polish Shirt Store (affiliate link)

I never expected to feel an attachment to the little two-bedroom flat that was originally referred to as Blue Kitchen while Ed was apartment hunting. Over the course of five years, a lot happens, many memories were made in that flat:

  • wandering the flat aimlessly after Ed left for work in my early days, until I found things to fill my time
  • a lot of baking was done in the tiny and appliance challenged kitchen
  • the fun of getting the guest room ready for family and friends from the states when they visited
  • meals shared with Ed’s colleagues from Tucson and our Polish friends
  • illnesses and recovery for all three of us, Ed, me and our dog, Benson
  • adapting to life as empty-nesters, now that our daughters are grown

But it’s time to move on, to treasure these memories and to make new ones.

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Life long changes

As you would expect, our move has found its way into most of our conversations lately.  When I visited an artist’s studio last week with some friends from the Poznan International Ladies Club, my friend Kasia (a Polish woman who lived in the Netherlands for seven years) said that, based on her experience, my time here would change my life forever. I have to agree with her.

I think it would be impossible to be so connected to a new culture for so long and remain unchanged. If nothing else, the things that I see as “different” about Polish life have all taught me something about American culture — things I knew but gave no thought to.

I’ve become more aware of the fact that we, Americans, are a diverse group, and sadly not all that cohesive. It’s important to most of us that we’re seen as hard-working and honest. We think about work a lot!

American signage is amazing!

My own sub-culture, as a military family, we are very welcoming to new people, quick to bring them into our lives and to try to help them settle into their new location.

We could work on our appreciation of the arts, and our medicine while state of the art would benefit from a more holistic approach.

Of course, I must also think about Americans and our relationship with food. We want it fast, not just fast food. Which do you think is more common in an American kitchen, homemade soup or canned? I think my Polish and international friends would be very comfortable whipping up a pot of soup, no recipe required.

As comfortable as I have become at “Blue Kitchen,” I can’t wait to be back in our own home, with more than just a balcony for outdoor space.

I can’t wait to be with our family and stateside friends, without an eight hour time difference and thousands of miles between us. It will also be nice to know how to do everything, to know what is expected of me in all situations, and to be able to understand everything!

We’re planning to visit Poland again, so as we said at our farewell open house, this isn’t goodbye but see you later.

leaving poland

Waiting for the movers; I guess I’ve ordered a few cookbooks from amazon.co.uk while I’ve been here 😉

Pozdrawiam,

Lois

 

 

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Filed Under: Back in the USA, Daily life, Travel Tagged With: going home, repatriation

Previous Post: « 25 Super Tips for Sightseeing in Berlin
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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Julie Kenkel

    December 6, 2014 at 6:55 am

    I have enjoyed getting to know Poland through you and with you when we were lucky enough and well enough to jet over to see you. It was pretty impulsive of me, but I’m so glad I acted on that impulse. Getting to know the country of my mom’s family and being gently shepherded by you and Ed, made for one of the best trips of my life. I’m glad you’ll be home here soon and we won’t go so long between visits. Safe travels you 3!

    Reply
    • polishhousewife

      December 7, 2014 at 12:25 am

      One of the nicest things about being here has been getting to share Poland with our friends and family. I’m especially glad that you, Kevin, and Sam were amoung our visitors!

      Reply
  2. stardust

    December 6, 2014 at 8:55 am

    Beautifully said “see you later” post, and lots of positive emotions.

    Reply
    • polishhousewife

      December 7, 2014 at 12:32 am

      Tak, do zobaczenia; dzięki, Stardust! (Should that be Stardustu?)

      Reply
  3. Lori

    December 6, 2014 at 10:01 am

    I will be in Poland for the month of May and then back in the summer for three language camps. Last year I seemed to stay so busy that I didn’t blog much, other than taking care of all of the journals which became blogs on the Global Volunteers site. I will try to blog more personally while I’m there so I can give you a bit of “Poland fix.”

    Reply
    • polishhousewife

      December 7, 2014 at 12:36 am

      Thanks, Lori! You know I’m always especially interested in those beautifully styled desserts you’ve found in Poland!

      Reply
  4. Kathryn Rowland

    December 6, 2014 at 1:06 pm

    Glad to have you back in the States but said I will not read your polish adventure but only thru the friends you have made. The Polish people make everyone their family. Injoy your last few days and have a safe trip. Maybe when you get back and get adjusted you can have a party with all of here in Tucson?! Maybe thru the Polish Club?

    Reply
    • polishhousewife

      December 7, 2014 at 12:35 am

      You know, Kathryn, I was surprised by all the Polish food at Tucson Meet Yourself this year. I wonder if someone with no Polish ancestry can join the Polish Club?

      Reply
  5. Jean

    December 6, 2014 at 2:06 pm

    I’ve loved reading your blog and traveling vicariously to all the exciting places you’ve written about. But it will really be nice to have you and Ed and Ben back in town. Safe traveling.

    Reply
    • polishhousewife

      December 7, 2014 at 12:44 am

      I still have travel posts to write, better do it before my memories fade!

      Reply
  6. Lajkonik

    March 28, 2015 at 11:58 am

    Hi, It was nice reading your post. I wanted to let you know that here is a Polish Community in Tucson and on April 11th there will be 5th annual Polish Night organized by Lajkonik dance group – the same from Tucson Meet Yourself food booth. The Polish Night may bring some Polish time back to you. Check website for details and contact http://www.PolishDanceAZ.com. And yes, you do not have to be Polish to join the Arizona Polish Club. Call them. Pozdrawiamy, Lajkonik.

    Reply
    • polishhousewife

      March 29, 2015 at 8:02 am

      Lajkonik, thanks for the info and the invitation! We’ll try to make it on the 11th!

      Reply

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