Greetings from Poland!
Poles may have a reputation for being a no-nonsense, hearty, sometimes gruff people, but they have so far seemed equally warm if you just make the effort. And frankly, I feel like that's the least I can do. Poland has historically really been through the ringer. As the battle ground for centuries of war amongst its neighbors (no thanks in part to its flat geography), Poles have struggled to maintain their identity. And yet today, it is one of the most homogeneous countries in the world. Over 90% Catholic. Less than 2% of non-Polish ethnicity. Population number virtually stagnant in the last decade. Even the Hare Krishnas stroll and sing with an accordion accompaniment to fit in.
Although I’m not a parent, I am blessed to have children of family and friends in my life whom I love dearly. And I treat my relationships with them with the utmost importance and respect. Given my belief in the importance and benefits of travel, it got me thinking of ideas for showing kids that it is, indeed, a small world after all.
About three years ago, I made a choice. A choice to click the "Book It" button on VRBO for a one-bedroom flat in the tiny Swiss town of Oberdiessbach where I knew no one. That choice changed the course of my life. Sometimes it's those small gestures that create big possibilities.