MEETING WITH FRIENDS IN JABŁONNA

From May 19th to 25th, 2024, we had the opportunity to explore and discover the beauties of Poland. Some of us met at Warsaw Airport. From there, we traveled together by bus to Jabłonna, a small town in the southeast of Poland, where we were warmly welcomed by the Portuguese, Romanians, and our Polish hosts two hours later.

On Monday, the 20th, they showed us around Zespół Szkół w Jabłonnie. We observed how classes are conducted and learned about various projects. The mayor of the town showed us how they maintain a clean and green environment. Afterwards, we attended a physical education lesson, where we all had a great time being active and bonding with both new and old friends. Later on, we were amazed by a table full of local culinary delicacies—pierogi in a thousand and one ways, beetroot soup, and not to mention the desserts! All the food was cooked and prepared by the parents of students and school staff. Delicious!

We explored the old city center of Lublin, the city on seven hills, on Tuesday, the 21st. The monumental Basilica of St. Stanislaus and the Dominican Monastery are impressive. The narrow, paved streets—featuring a spot where you can write, leave, and take a poem—are both sweet and bittersweet. The boundary of the ghetto from 1941 to 1942 is clearly visible, serving as a stark reminder of the horrors of World War II. The magnificent castle—once the residence of many kings and now home to the National Museum of Art—along with the picturesque and historically priceless Chapel of the Holy Trinity, and the medieval Donjon Tower with its 107 steps that rewarded us with a breathtaking view, are just some of the landmarks reflecting the city’s rich, colorful, and tumultuous history.

On Wednesday, the 22nd, we walked through Poleski National Park—wetlands, lakes, birch and pine forests, a three-hundred-year-old oak, grasses, mosses, swans, frogs, dragonflies... nature in all its quiet glory. Fresh, green, and damp. Only the mosquitoes weren’t shy. Sadly, the roe deer and their fawns kept their distance.

Kayaking on the Tanew River gently cooled us on a hot Thursday at noon. Families of ducks guided us downstream, while indigo-blue dragonflies greeted us with cheerful flutters. After two hours of rowing, our biceps and triceps were pleasantly tired—but we stayed dry and in good spirits. We spent a relaxed afternoon exploring colorful Zamość, a Renaissance gem that has been on the UNESCO World Heritage list since 1992. The main square, with its Armenian houses and grand City Hall, was truly stunning.

On Friday, the 24th, we enjoyed traditional folk dances, masterfully performed by both the male and female students of the host school. The colorful costumes, the harmony of the movements, and the lively brightness of the music completely captivated us. During an orientation walk around Jabłonna, we exercised both our brains and our legs—solving puzzles, riddles, and decoded messages while getting a good workout for both mind and body. Cool!

And then it was already Saturday, the 25th—a farewell day. A day of gratitude. A day of well wishes. A day of hugs. Dziękuję życie! Thank you, life!

Written by Staša Grilc.