Poland
7/14-26/2025
The Dream That Came True
“You’re half-Polish? That’s so cool! Have you ever been?”
As of today, I have a different answer to that question: yes, I have been.
It has always been a goal of mine to visit my mother’s homeland and to meet my family for the first time. Every few summers, my grandma would visit us here in the States. To do the opposite is surreal, and a dream come true.
The Flight
I don’t know how I survived that 7+ hour flight, but my brother and I did. It’s not that it was necessarily bad. It was a fun experience; there were 8 rows with probably over 60 seats. They had TVs with a wide selection of movie options, they fed us dinner and breakfast, and the flight attendants were always checking on us, often offering refreshments and refills. And when we first found our seats, we found a blanket and pillow.
My brother and I were in a bit of a rush getting to our gate. We’d dropped off our mom earlier that week, and she was waiting around 2 hours at her gate to board. Now, there’s nothing wrong with getting to the airport early; I’m all for it. You take different factors into consideration, like if there’s heavy traffic on the roads, the TSA line is long and busy, etc. Even though we’ve always abided by “the earlier, the better” rule when it comes to airports, for some reason, we decided to relax that day. I was stressed, but even more so when, 50 minutes before our boarding time, I lost count measuring the numerous TSA lines that were weaving between the black ropes.
Fifty-five minutes later, we sprinted to our gate. Despite my brother's detour for a snack, which further delayed us, we made it.
During the actual flight, I was so overwhelmed by the options I could indulge in while I passed the time. Do I finish reading my book about the 8 Passengers family? Do I watch a movie? Which movie? The ones I downloaded on my phone, or the complimentary ones offered by the airlines on the little TV? Listen to music?
I ended up doing a mix of all. First, I listened to music, nervous about popping ears. I picked up the book but ultimately decided it was going to be hard to focus, and instead, spent more time watching a movie. I chose a classic and timeless film: The Goonies. I have a habit of multitasking and not watching a movie unless it’s one I haven’t seen before. Butsurprisingly, I just sat back and watched the entire thing. When it finished, I sat there and decided what to do next. Iwatched the rest of an episode of Glee, and then transitioned to Remember the Titans.
But halfway through the movie, I realized it was nearing midnight Chicago time. I decided I better get sleep while I can, because I assumed the time difference was going to mess with me if I had enough trouble with my sleep schedule already.
I was in and out of sleep. The plane was big, but also slightly cramped. My brother, right next to me, a whole head taller than me, was miserable, which is why he took the aisle seat. My neck and back weren’t in the most relaxed positions, and though I tried to adjust them constantly, I was comfortable for short periods.
Maybe two hours later, my brother woke me up just in time for breakfast, and shortly after, we were landing in Copenhagen for our layover.
And just like that, I made it to Europe!!!
It's a bittersweet trip. I wish I were here under different circumstances, but being able to spend this time with my grandmother, who was fighting cancer, is a true blessing.
While this was sort of a last-minute trip, I’ve been learning to not just go with the flow, but to remember that every reroute was created for a reason. I read a helpful devotional this morning before our final flight to Gdansk. It’s a passage from Acts 27:13-20, where Paul is a prisoner being transported by ship to Rome when, all of a sudden, a supposedly ordinary trip quickly turns into a disaster. Although the sailors were confident in their plans, a change in the weather frightened them. It’s a comparison to how we feel during moments of confusion, when we’re no longer steering the ship, but holding on.
And yet, we sometimes lose faith so quickly and lose confidence at the first sign of imperfection. And when we allow ourselves to remain open, we might just hear something, or rather, someone. He doesn’t wait for us at the end, but meets us through it.
From the devotional: “…the presence of a holy love that refuses to leave me as I am. A love fierce enough to confront the shadows I’ve grown used to. Strong enough to light up even the darkest places.” (Dwell app)
It’s a firm reminder that I am not alone, and this reroute is just another reason to trust in Him alone. He is my Way.
Cultural Differences
Upon landing in Copenhagen, I didn’t know what to expect. From what I could see outside the plane window, I saw a lot of farm fields and the sea. It was rainy weather, but I didn’t mind it.
Once we got through immigration, my brother and I walked into what felt like a big mall at first. Through the flow of traffic that he and I navigated through, we heard a lot of different languages.
I was almost overwhelmed by the options offered in that specific part of the airport alone, and could’ve explored a little more if I had a little more energy. Instead, I went to do what was innate for me anytime I arrive somewhere new: I tried their coffee.
I went to a quieter cafe near our gate called Espresso House. Right behind the cafe was a cozy seating area with a view of the planes outside. One person napped, a few people were on their computers, but most were having conversations and enjoying their breakfast. I say breakfast, even though it was around eleven. I was still waking up.
Funnily enough, while I was tired, it was more so because of the traveling, not the time difference. While I barely got sleep, I think I was just excited by the experience of being in a new country.
I finally texted my best friend, Jasmine, who’s studying abroad in Europe, to surprise her that we’re on the same continent. We were in the same time zone, which would make debriefs easier.
While I was sitting in the cafe, eating lunch, I opened my water bottle and had some trouble unscrewing the cap off. It wasn’t until later that I realized that the caps don’t fully come off. Recently, Europe has been committed to being more environmentally friendly. There were more things I took notice of later in the trip. For instance, out to lunch with my uncle (whom we met for the first time!), there were different disposable stations with various options for plastic, trash, dumping liquid contents, and paper. It’s little things like this that make me smile and appreciate how other countries differ in these ways.
It was a pleasant surprise to find that most people I encountered in Denmark and Poland spoke English, or at least enough for basic communication. This made it easy to ask for directions and get help without ever feeling lost. It's truly impressive how English has become a universal language, and it's great to hear that many countries integrate English lessons into their school curricula. In contrast, while some American schools offer foreign language options, resources for achieving fluency aren't always readily available.
Despite this, I'm motivated to learn Polish. Even though I don't plan on visiting or living there anytime soon, I believe expanding my language skills will open up new conversations and allow me to connect more deeply with people and their stories. Then, I’ll be able to talk to my family comfortably without a translator.
Settling In
A few days later, I’m adjusting well to being here. It wasn’t so hard getting used to the time zone difference. The first night, I fell asleep easily because it was an exhausting travel day.
I’m more comfortable with taking their trolley, their public transit, to different locations. For the most part, we pretty much walk. Especially when downtown, there’s a lot to see and do. For instance, I walked to the Museum of the Second World War (Muzeum II Wojny Światowej), which was about a thirty-minute walk, and inside, I walked around for over 3 hours (and probably could’ve stayed longer).
We walked through Old Town, streets filled with historic buildings like St. Catherine's Church (Gdańsk's oldest parish church, which I climbed!), the Golden Gate, and Neptune’s Fountain, some rebuilt after the Second World War. I visited historical sites like Westerplatte (where World War II started), walked by the Baltic Sea, and visited different monasteries and churches.
My mom and I enjoy morning runs through the neighborhood. On the way back, we often stop at a few stores. Prices here, in złoty (PLN or zł), are noticeably more affordable than in the States. For instance, I bought two Vogue magazines for under $6; in the US, they would easily cost over $15 combined. It's also great to see such affordable grocery prices.
We’ve tried a lot of different bakeries. There’s one near my grandma’s house where I tried my first Pączki (a Polish donut with filling). There are so many sweet treats to choose from. I especially love the candy here, like Nestle’s Lion bars and Milka. Whenever my grandma visited us in the States, she would bring so much candy for us. I made sure to stock up before I left.
A few things I did! (and ate)
Pączki from Cukiernia W-Z
Pierogarnia Mandu Gdańsk Śródmieście
I love pierogis, and while nothing compares to my mom and grandma’s homemade version, I enjoyed trying these from Mandu. My uncle recommended this to us. I got Pielmieni, which are Russian boiled dumplings made with hand-minced beef and pork meat with onion, served with sour cream. Yes, I know it’s not a Polish dish, but it still sounded so good (and it was). Meanwhile, my mom got traditional boiled dumplings made of potatoes, spicy sausage chorizo, mascarpone, and truffle paste served with dill sauce.
A lot of local vendors nearby with fresh fruit and vegetables. My mom and I took multiple trips to these smaller ones. My favorite were the strawberries and cherries. They were so rich in color and taste.
Pictured above, from left to right: The Westerplatte monument; The view from on top of the St. Mary’s Church Tower after climbing 405 steps; I was collecting seashells by the Baltic Sea with my aunt.
Museum of World War II
The final part of the exhibit that really struck me.
Forum Mall
A large shopping center in Gdansk where I spent a lot of time the past two weeks.
Sopot
This charming Baltic Sea town, neighboring Gdansk, offers everything you could desire in a coastal retreat: shops, restaurants, a sandy beach, and a lengthy wooden pier stretching into the Bay of Gdańsk. My aunt referred to it as the getaway spot.
You enter downtown through the Golden Gates. As you walk the Royal Route, you pass quaint, historic townhouses. Their bricks hold the rich and unique histories of the wealthiest citizens and leaders who once lived there, and their walls bear the marks of wars and reconstruction.
Downtown (Left to right): The tower with the clock is the Main Town Hall along the Royal Route; Neptune’s Fountain; historic town houses; Motlawa riverfront, with many different shops and restaurants, including one of my top ten favorite pizza places.
OSTRO Pizza Napoletana - Above, photos from my first meal here (we went a second time because my brother wasn’t with us the first). The pizza was sooo warm, the dough chewy, and the different combinations of toppings excellent. I got the tartufo (mozzarella Fior di Latte, mascarpone, Parmegiano Reggiano D.O.P., truffle paste, basil) with a glass of Pinot Grigio (a little bitter for my taste but when in Europe!)
Gdansk: The Amber Capital of the World
Ulica Mariacka or Mariacka Street (Amber Street) is filled with different boutiques and vendors selling amber jewelry, crafts, and products. While I was walking, my eyes settled on this sun pendant. My grandma used to call me sunshine, so I thought this was a perfect find.
“When you love a place so much, a piece of your heart will always be left there.” - Maddie Bashara, one of my best friends
This trip was important for a lot of reasons. My mom was born in Poland, making me of Polish descent. She came to the States after graduating from college and built a life there. Exploring my roots has always been a deep interest, beginning with visits to the countries my family originated from. My family consistently taught me to be proud of myself and our heritage. Seeing where she grew up was always a dream, but more profoundly, I yearned to explore the country that is undeniably woven into the tapestry of who I am. I always felt I was destined to visit, and now, a piece of my heart will forever reside there. These past two weeks delivered one of the most meaningful, emotional experiences of my lifetime. Having had the chance to truly immerse myself in that city and its culture for that long is an absolute blessing.
This trip was unexpected because my grandma’s sickness had progressed, and we knew we had limited time left with her. The last time we saw her in person was in 2019. Phone calls and FaceTimes might not compare to being face-to-face, but we cherished every moment with her. We spent as much time with her as possible before we eventually said goodbye. It was one of the toughest moments of my life.
My grandmother, from whom I received my middle name, had one of the sweetest, gentlest souls. She was full of so much light and love and lived to serve others. She made me laugh, she made me smile even when I was sad, and she loved me, my brother, and my family endlessly. It was one of the strongest bonds of my life, and while our time together was short, I am forever grateful for the past 20 years of knowing her.
Grief is so confusing, and it’s really hard to wrap my head around the idea that she’s no longer here, nor will she ever visit us again. But I do believe in God’s goodness, in His mighty love, and I know she’s at peace now, which provides some comfort. Even when she’d gotten sick, during FaceTimes, she would still smile, call me her sunshine or “my honey”, stick out her tongue at me to make me laugh, and always tell me she loved me, often numerous times in the same call.
I am determined for this not to be my last trip to Gdansk. While talking to my friend Maddie, who also travelled abroad this year, we bonded over our shared love for our trips. She said, “When you love a place so much, a piece of your heart will always be left there,” and I couldn’t agree more.
So, thank you, and until we meet again.
Me and my grandma
More photos!
