USLemko
6 Dec 2009
Life / Why Do You Love Poland? [907]
I am American-Lemko and also love Poland. I have been there about 8 times since 1998 and can't wait to go back.
Whenever I visit, I feel very much at home. The people are wonderful, very kind and friendly. I have visited many towns and villages from Wroclaw to Sanok/Przemysl and from Warsaw to Zakopane. But I especially love Krakow and Lemkovyna. The rolling hills and mountains of Lemkovyna remind me of western Pennsylvania, where I was born. Lemkovyna also is the homeland of my ancestors, and I have made many wonderful friends there. Some day, I would like to visit Dansk.
I have studied the Polish language on my own but still only speak it like a second grader. Yet I try to use it exclusively in Poland. Somehow, I manage to communicate with the people. I think they appreciate it that I make an effort to speak their language. And when I use the wrong word, we enjoy a good laugh--which just makes things friendlier.
I also have a strong admiration for Poland and what the country has managed to accomplish since 1989. It is often difficult for Americans to appreciate that Poland has suffered through many wars on their lands, lived under the rulership of other kingdoms, and survived nearly 50 years of communist rule. Yet it has risen with its head held high. Even though I was not born there, I feel a great kinship as though it were my adopted land.
I am American-Lemko and also love Poland. I have been there about 8 times since 1998 and can't wait to go back.
Whenever I visit, I feel very much at home. The people are wonderful, very kind and friendly. I have visited many towns and villages from Wroclaw to Sanok/Przemysl and from Warsaw to Zakopane. But I especially love Krakow and Lemkovyna. The rolling hills and mountains of Lemkovyna remind me of western Pennsylvania, where I was born. Lemkovyna also is the homeland of my ancestors, and I have made many wonderful friends there. Some day, I would like to visit Dansk.
I have studied the Polish language on my own but still only speak it like a second grader. Yet I try to use it exclusively in Poland. Somehow, I manage to communicate with the people. I think they appreciate it that I make an effort to speak their language. And when I use the wrong word, we enjoy a good laugh--which just makes things friendlier.
I also have a strong admiration for Poland and what the country has managed to accomplish since 1989. It is often difficult for Americans to appreciate that Poland has suffered through many wars on their lands, lived under the rulership of other kingdoms, and survived nearly 50 years of communist rule. Yet it has risen with its head held high. Even though I was not born there, I feel a great kinship as though it were my adopted land.