We got to know and discover the beauties of Poland from May 19th to 25th. Some of us met at the Warsaw airport. From there we travelled together by bus to Jabłonna, a small town on south east of Poland, where the Portuguese, the Romanians and the hosts – the Poles warmly welcomed us 2 houres latter.
On Monday 20th they showed us around Zespół Szkół W Jabłonnie school. We saw how classes are conducted and heard about various projects. The mayor of the town showed us how they take care of a clean and green environment. Then we attended a physical education lesson, in which we all had a good time, being active and bonding with new and old friends. Later on, we were amazed by the table full of local culinary delicacies (pierogi in a thousand and one ways, beetroot soup, not to mention desserts!). All the food was cooked and prepared by parents of pupils and school employees. Yummy, delicious!
We explored the old city center of Lublin, the city on seven hills, on Tuesday 21th. Monumental Basilica St. Stanislaus and the Dominican monastery are mighty. Paved narrow streets with the spot where you can write, leave and take a poem are sweet and bitter. The boundary of the ghetto between 1941 and 1942 is clearly visible as a reminder of the horrors of the II. World War. Magnificent castle – once the residence of many kings, today home of art – National Museum, picturesque and the historically priceless Chapel of the Holy Trinity and the medieval Donjon tower with 107 steps, which rewarded us with a luxurious view, are only some of the landmarks of their rich, colorful and stormy history.
On Wednesday 22th we walked through the Poleski National Park. Wetlands, lakes, birch and pine forests, three hundred year-old oak, grasses, mosses, swans, frogs, dragonflies... Fresh, green and wet. Only the mosquitoes didn't avoid us. Roe deer and fawns were unfortunately reserved and shy.
Kayaking on the Tanew River gently cooled us down on a hot Thursday noon. Families of ducks showed us the way down the river. We were happily greeted by indigo blue dragonflies. Our biceps and triceps were pleasantly tired after two hours of rowing, but we remained dry and cheerful. We had a relaxed afternoon around colorful Zamość, a Renaissance pearl that has been on the UNESCO list of world heritage sites since 1992. The main square with the Armenian houses and the City Hall were really stunning.
On Friday 24th, we enjoyed traditional folklore dances, masterfully performed by male and female students of the visiting school. The colorful clothes, the harmony of the movements and the brightness of the music overwhelmed us. On an orientation walk around Jabłonna, we exercised our brains while solving puzzles, riddles and decoded messages as well as our legs – working out the mind and the body, cool!
And it was already Saturday 25th. A Farewell day. A day of gratitude. Day of good wishes. A day of hugs. Dziękuję życie! Thank you life!
Staša Grilc
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