Peaks and politics

The past week and a half has been rather busy and full of all sorts of emotions. Fred and I paid a visit to my parents, who live down in Lower Silesia. We also stopped in to see Fred’s aunt and her husband in the Opole Voivodeship, and caught up with a good friend of ours who's only recently moved to Waldenburg (we spent some valuable time with her and her three rats).

In the middle of it all, we had hoped to get a bit of hiking in – and we did! Last Tuesday, we managed to wander through the highest peak of the Table Mountains, Szczeliniec Wielki. It’s a marvellous spot, and we were lucky to catch a few hours of fairly decent weather.

The next day, we took a stroll through Waldenburg’s King John III Sobieski Park, and of course we climbed the observation tower, which is known for its panoramic views of the town. After saying goodbye to our Waldenburg friends, on the way back to my family home, we visited The Holy Trinity Church of Peace in Świdnica, the biggest wooden Baroque church in Europe.

By Saturday, we were heading back home to Dublin, keen to cast our votes in the presidential election (the flight itself was a bit rough).

Then Monday came, and brought bad news with it: the nationalists had won. It’s disheartening how many controversial politicians win on the back of aggressive, conservative rhetoric alone. Nawrocki, the new Polish president, seems cut from the same cloth as the Orange Man over in the States – a shady character, voted in mostly because religious talk still holds sway over people living in fear. Have nothing to be ashamed of anyway, I didn't vote for him, but still ...

Below, the first morning in my family home and my late grandma's flat window seen from the garden; a cat idling outside our favourite coffee shop; one of my parents' cats, blind Niunia; walks with my Mum and husband; me hiking through Szczeliniec; one of the Waldenburg's mosaics; the Waldenburg boys; friend's recommendation; the Holy Trinity Church of Peace in Świdnica; my pork pie, my folks.

In the middle

It's the second full day at my parents' house now, we've had two (and a half) days of lovely sunshine and warmth. The flight on the 2nd was quite smooth, though we had a bit of a bumpy landing. Surprisingly, once on the ground, there was almost no wind. 

All the pets are healthy, though little stinky Max is even stinkier than before. My parents aren't sure how old he is; he started living with them only five years ago, and he could have been around 5 at the time. For sure, he's definitely getting on in years, especially for a mix of Shih Tzu from a puppy farm. On the other hand, Gosia, Little Raspberry's sister, is living her dream. As her aggression has subsided with age, though deaf and partially blind, she's now happier than ever before, enjoying the sunshine in the open space instead of in a kennel.

As I love walking and there aren't many places to walk here (the lumberjacks are working in the forest, it's not too safe there at the moment), yesterday I took a leisurely stroll to the local cemetery and back with Dad. We lit candles on both graves – my grandparents' and my granddad's aunt; then we drove to another cemetery, the one in Hochkirch, where my dad's parents are buried. 

Today we went for a walk around the town. Still very warm, my olive coat is too much for this weather.

Of course, we had coffees at El Gato twice, again only Dad and I; Mum wasn't part of our adventures, as she's still working full-time and usually wraps up at 3 p.m. Quite unusual for someone her age (71), but I feel it keeps her going. She once told me she doesn't want to be considered a senior citizen.

I've been avoiding political subjects, no news, no talk shows. The first day Mum suggested I should take all my old diplomas with me, as people are talking about the war coming from Ukraine. It’s certainly not impossible (those pampered in the West rarely have any idea what's going on in the East, it's just the way it is; they live in alternate reality and vote for tv personalities instead of politicians), but I won't let it spoil my inner peace.  

Below, a short video made at the back garden.

Ready

Felt much better. No headache, no beanie (I wore a hat, but it's more of a style choice than anything). After work Fred came to collect me, we drove towards home, but we were also looking for a place to eat out. In the end, we made as far as Dún Dealgan and had lunch at the 3rd Place. Their tomato and veg soup was delicious, not your typical Irish cream soup, you could tell the co-owner is Polish. 

After coming home had a short chat with Mum. It worries me when she's in a grumpy mood. At first, I thought something serious had happened, but it became clear she was just low on energy after I had woken her from her afternoon nap. We talked about the weather forecast for the next few days, and she cheered up after a while. 

Once again, I'm checked in for my flight, my rucksack packed, and ready to travel. Although I didn't do anything special today, I will drift off to bed with a feeling of accomplishment. April fool's day passed unnoticed.

The meanders

A Wednesday off between working days. 

Woke up hungry but chose to start the day as always, with green tea. After breakfast I went through the recording of one of the skills demonstrations and marked my students' efforts so I could give them some feedback tomorrow. It was quite long, the group discussed the topic for over twenty minutes, I could also hear my own voice there, and a few times I heard myself using the Gaelic gasp (the pulmonic ingressive), which made me laugh. Yeah, yeah ... I don't know when I picked it up, but I love it. 

Fred wanted to buy some bird food in An Iúraigh, and we both agreed this was a brilliant opportunity to stop in Dún Dealgan, at the 3rd Place, for some coffee and pancakes. After this feast, we sauntered off to the local library, and I didn't hesitate to buy three more books – Virginia Woolf's Mrs Dalloway and A Room of One's Own, and a poetry collection by W.B. Yeats. Why? Because they were there. That's it, I say. No more tsundoku. For March.

Around four in the afternoon already at home. Fred cooked us dinner. After eating I called Mum, we talked on Messenger for approx. 45 minutes. I introduced her to the meanders of my proffesional life, where I go, what I leave behind; I'm happy to make changes, I like modifications, they're good for the brain. 

Below, pancakes and books.

IWD

Fred noticed I was awake (I coughed a lot), with a mischievous grin popped his head through the door and later, after kissing me and wishing me a happy Women's Day, he reached into the wardrobe and pulled out a big sack with two presents inside: a lovely crew neck top made from pure New Zealand merino wool (it's actually a retro mod attire, J. Smedey, with white and apple red stripes – oh my gods, so cool!) and a pair of cashmere pants in a kind of red violet colour (Ralph Lauren X). Am I not a one lucky woman to have this guy for a husband?

The day was very quiet; I read, did some paper work, did some ironing, cooked dinner (Fred came back home before 6 p.m.), watched youtube videos, among others a very interesting vlog by Bernadette Banner on how to recognise natural fiber, such as protein or cellulose fiber. It was very informative, indeed. Most of my wardrobe now consists of clothes made from natural fibres, and I consciously avoid acrylic fabric.

I had a video call with my parents and got a lil bit irritated by my Mum's usual response, that they can't fly to Ireland to visit us, because ... I think over time I cope better with this autistic stubbornness of hers; however, I can't help but feel sad that she limits herself, and also restricts Dad's experience. Life is so short.

Another much longer video call was with my friend, Lucy. It's good to be able to connect, talk about random staff, not really gossips, rather about feelings and emotions. I want to work more on this, connection with people I like.

Family home

From Monday afternoon to Friday morning with my parents in a family home surrounded by the forests of Lower Silesia. I had the whole bed to myself (though the cats might argue otherwise, especially Wojtuś), took a peek at old series, like Kojak (episodes from the best year 1975), visited cemetry twice and bonded with Rozalka, who loved me more every day.

During my stay discovered that I was invited for the second interview (actually, the invitation was sent on Friday, but I hadn't checked that email account until last Wednesday, hope it won’t affect the whole process), and an hour later Fred got feedback about his CT scan: clear, no changes. Great news! The same day I took my parents for lunch in an Italian restaurant. I had better culinary experience, but Ma & Pa were happy.

On Thursday we went to Magnolia Park, the largest shopping centre in Lower Silesia; first we had lunch in Lepione, than a solid cup of coffee & a crusty croissant with carmel dip in Karmello Chocolatier. Pure satisfaction. The only thing that got me concerned was how quick Mum wore out, we hadn't even walked that much. 

Overall, I had a great time, and felt the stay was much too short. That said, I wouldn't want to live there for good. More than ever I need my own space, my own pace, my own ways of doing things.

Below: Wrocław Główny railway station, always the best first coffee in my grandma's glass cup, Gosia (Little Raspberry's sister), a good girl greeting me cheerfully, Rozalka, Wojtuś sitting with Maksio (the dog) and Rózia in the backgroud (minding her own business), coffee and croissants in Karmello with Mum & Dad.

Once a potato, always a potato, but ...

Discovered today new ethnicity estimate on My Heritage. Baltic 17%, Balkan 13.1%, Germanic 8.2%, but no worries, I'm still mostly East European, thank gods! 61.7% :D

Also, enjoyed checking the new tool that gives me some idea of the ancient populations from which I may descend. The news of the day was that through my Dad I might share a genetic connection with Izjaslav Ingvarewicz (son of Ingvar), a prince of Dorogobuzh (Principality of Volhynia/Galicia), who died in action at the Battle of Kałka River in 1223. His skull was found 36 years ago in a tomb located at Lutsk castle. His sister married Leszek Biały, the one who had no luck at Gąsawa. Never heard of Izjasłav before. Well, well ;)

As for the rest of Saturday, my husband was at work, and I was fidgeting at home, trying to fill in the shelves in our display cabinet, doing laundry, rolling socks into balls, listening to the audiobook. I talked to Mum, told her we're flying to Germany for St. Patrick's weekend and that on Thursday she needs to cook something nice (not really, of course, we'll be happy to eat out for the occassion). Already somewhat in a holiday mood.

Tuesday?

Some good happened in between. Today I got a call from one place, they invited me for a job interview. I'm not sure I have a chance there, but it won't hurt to go and chat with people (I'll try to treat this as a valuable experience; my last interview was a disaster mostly because I didn't bother to prepare for it). 

Also, I booked a ticket for a flight to visit my family home. Just a few days in the last week of February, before the group I'm tutoring returns from their work placement. I called my Dad in the morning, and Mum later, when we were driving back from shopping, just to confirm the dates and cheer up whoever finds my visits comforting (Mum sometimes tells me I should save money for more important things; this time she didn't use this standard phrase of her, and was obviously happy; good).

Yesterday I finished reading Tokarczuk's House of day, House of night. In Polish, but I see that the book was already translated by fantastic Antonia Lloyd-Jones, and I'm sure at some point I will catch up with this version as well (I enjoyed her translation of Drive Your Plow Over the Bones of the Dead).

And music: The Cure's album Songs of a Lost World is simply amazing! I was swinging to the tune most of the day.

Below: a picture taken good three weeks later and posted here one rainy morning, because that's what I wanted to do ;)