UK, Ireland /
Same banks in Lodz as in UK? [12]
Hello Forest: We've been away for a few days and I only last night saw your message. There doesn't appear to be an expat community in Lodz, or at least I've not been able to find one yet. Am considering trying to generate interest in one because I suspect there are getting to be quite a few expats here, but not until January or February. I also don't know anything about kindergartens, since our kids are grown, but I'm sure they are around, so don't worry about that.
As far as what it's like to live here....I can only tell you from my perspective, some others may see it totally different. I do feel, though, that one's attitude...no matter where they live...has a great impact on how they feel about where they live and how well their children accept the change too. Of course that's a generalization....I'm speaking about the normal kind of places, there are places in the world where no amount of positiveness could keep one safe or warm or well fed, etc.
That said, I'm finding Lodz easier and easier. Yes, the language is challenging and probably always will be...but then I've made a choice not to learn more than the basic hello, thank you, etc since we won't be here more than two years and I'll be going back to the States at least three times a year. Even with my limited ability, I can still communicate with hand motions, using dictionary, drawing pictures, using a local map; but moreso, the Polish people (in general) know enough english that we all manage to communicate. Some can speak it quite well. As time goes on it seems we are picking up a few words simply because we see them a lot. Many restaurants will provide you with english menus. We've also found a medical clinic, Medicover, and they have a nice lady on staff who translates for us. A work colleague suggested an inexpensive computer program which easily translates written text from Polish to English and vise-a-versa. It can help when looking up things on the internet. For me, the hard part at the beginning is always making that first step with communicating with people...in shops, grocery store, at train station, but now I don't have any qualms doing it because I've done it so often. One just has to get out there and do it! We've found a wonderful Polish Baptist church....they provide a translator to sit with us each Sunday...such a blessing. We're getting more and more familiar with street names and finding our way around. I was initially terrified of driving because (no offense intended to anyone Polish who might be reading this) but they are a bit crazy on the road compared to where I'm from. If you've ever driven in southern California though you might feel right at home! haha. Now I'm able to get around a fair amount of the town, and if I can do it anyone can!
Would this be your first international living experience? I have to tell you...the first place we ever moved to was England. Initially it seemed such a shock. We laugh now to think that we felt England was such a challenge! haha. I guess we've grown since then. Just shows that anyplace outside one's own country can be an adjustment at first.
Hope this has answered your questions. Please feel free to ask further. Bev
