One of Life's Grand Events

The wedding day is past. What an event it all was!! Naturally, Sabina looked gorgeous, no surprise there! The wedding was amazing and for me the best part was that Sabina and Chris both said their vows in English and Polish. A more difficult feat for Chris and I was impressed. By the way, I didn't cry at the wedding - shocker! Just thoroughly enjoyed it. :)

There is something special about making the time for such a grand party afterward as opposed to rushing through a reception so the couple can escape. Of course I'm older but I'm not sure I would have had the stamina for it myself, as the bride! (I understand the party ended about 5 am!!) The reception was filled with food, dancing, singing, a skit where Chris had to “buy back his wife,” more food, and vodka – to the level to which each person was comfortable. For me personally, it was also a wonderful time to catch up with people I hadn't seen for years. Life marches on and there were many stories to share. I really appreciate the opportunity to get reacquainted face-to-face with old friends, so thanks Chris and Sabina for getting married!! :)

Cultural differences can show up in many varied ways from eating times, to major life event traditions, like weddings, to everyday priorities. I traveled with a few people one of them being Chris' step-sister who is 11. At the end of our time in Poland she makes the statement that she likes the actual travel part of traveling but not being somewhere new. As you know from earlier posts, I am the exact opposite of her. Of course, she is only 11 so things may change in the future. I love new places (or old ones I haven't been for a while) and find it fascinating how many ways there are to approach life. I work hard, sometimes harder than other times, to be open to new perspectives and ideas. I can't embrace them all since some ideas can be opposing to one another, but open in that I don't judge by thinking that's weird or strange rather just different than how I might do things. Challenges, new concepts and different priorities make me grow and open up my world. I have to say that sometimes the new ways are better than my old ones, or at least a welcome diversion! 

The whole trip was great. I was thrilled to be able to help Sabina in any way, just spend time with her, and see how a Polish wedding is done! Awesome and a lot of fun!

The Closest to My Heart

I leave today for Poland! My girl, Sabina, is getting married!! OK, she's not "my girl" but the heart strings are definitely there. I'm going a week before the wedding so that I can be totally available to her. Granted at this point pretty much everything has already been done, but maybe she'll just need to get away and have a cup of calming tea (as opposed to coffee!) and we can have a chat. I've already seen her in her wedding dress and cried so that event is past. Not so sure it won't happen again, though! Wow, lots of emotions, all good ones for this wonderful happening.

Brian isn't going with me. :( He would love to be there that's for sure. Though this time of year, the fact that it's colder weather in Poland, would make for a miserable feeling Brian. Brian served in the Gulf War and is one of the many soldiers who returned with Gulf War Syndrome - the media's term. So life drastically changed for him and, in his case, cold weather does not help in the least. I will write more in the future about loving someone with a chronic illness but that's for later. You can also check out his blog - Brian's Gate.
I miss Brian already but am so excited for Sabina and Chris. Can't wait to give Sabina a big hug!

We all like it a bit differently - coffee that is! part 2

I've finished my morning coffee - an absolute necessity to really move into the day. Now I find myself ready to finish the post about my coffee evaluations of our trip. The coffee juices are flowing!

Poland - my experience this trip is limited only to one cafe but it was a strong contender after asking for some modifications. Their cappuccino with an extra shot was quite tasty! Their cold coffee treat gets second place, again, after adding another shot. This treat was more like an affogato or an ice cream sundae with espresso topping - quite yummy. I'm hoping things have changed within the home. I quit drinking coffee in peoples' homes back in the late 90's because almost everyone drank instant (at least the people I visited)! I tried for a while but just couldn't do it and switched to tea when visiting. However, that was a long time ago, so it all could be quite different.
Spain - this country wins for most normal, delectable coffee. I throughly enjoyed their cafe con leche or coffee with milk, steamed milk that is but not frothy. Just plain good.
Switzerland - although we visited only a week, at one point, I lived there for about 9 months. Never in my entire time there did I see any Swiss person take their coffee with an equal part of hot chocolate, as noted in my "part 1" post. I don't know where "they" got that information but it certainly was not my experience.
The Swiss take their coffee VERY seriously and put a lot of money behind it. I had a coffee at the bar of a 2 star, chain hotel and the guy was telling me that their machine, a smallish one of this type, cost "like the price of a small car." Yes, he said it cost $15,000 - yup that's dollars!! I know another person there who's home espresso machine cost the equivalent of $1,800. With all that said, I had the most consistently outstanding coffee and espresso in Switzerland - roll one's eyes back fantastic! They do come in third for cold coffee treat - coffee ice cream with a coffee/chocolate like syrup.

Now you know how I like my coffee - with milk. I prefer espresso and to drink coffee is a necessity in the morning, for sure, but a pleasure whenever I drink it!! So how do you like your coffee? Is it a necessity? Or just a pleasure? Are you an espresso fan or do you prefer brewed coffee?

Chocolate Like Never Before!

The first leg or our journey is over. :( I already miss Sabina and our morning coffees together. But I am a little concerned we ran her ragged. Needless to say, she treated us to a wonderful time. On the final day we spent the afternoon in Krakow. It's a great city, full of energy, astounding architecture, fun shopping and lots of memories for me.

Sabina had an absolutely fantastic idea to wrap up our time before we were off to the airport. We went to a “chocolate restaurant” (my terminology). All I can say is OMG! Brian and I split two different treats that were heavenly and beyond true description! Brian got a trio of drinking chocolate – dark, milk and white chocolate. WOW! It was like melted chocolate bars or it actually was, not sure. Nothing like our hot chocolate I can tell you that much. Heaven in a cup! Then I got a sundae – chocolate ice cream with chocolate sauce and chocolate crunchies. Of course, whip cream atop. There was little conversation only moanings and groanings of an ecstatic nature.

This Polish chocolatier has existed since 1851. Over the years, I would say they have reached perfection! I would have taken a picture, but by the time I thought of it they were all gone!! Yummy! Another incredible memory to add to my Polish experience.

Now it's on to gelato (fabulous ice cream) in Rome and (of course) Italian coffee. :)