Polish adventure begins

This program began on Saturday morning in Siedlce when many campers, the Polish staff members, Dorota and Lori gathered together. It took a great amount of figuring to get most of the luggage, along with food for the day, and teaching supplies all loaded on the bus. We departed about 6:15 AM. In the past campers have joined in Minsk and I was really wondering what we were going to do with them. Yes, we got more campers in Minsk, but we waited there for a van from Reymontowka to catch up with us, it being clear that no more baggage would fit on the bus. About 45 minutes down the road we stopped for the final camper to join the group.

A traditional stop is the McDonald’s at Radom. Since last year this store has been renovated and now one first places an order, gets a number and then moves to another counter to pick up the order. All the while one can follow the status of the order on a digital display. 

We continued south and arrived at the Krakow airport around 2 PM. All the other volunteers were there and we continued south to Zakopane, arriving at the hotel, Cztery Pory Roku, around 5:15. We gathered for supper at 6:00, enjoying this good meal after a day of travel. Following the evening meal, we each offered a short introduction. Most then returned to their rooms, tired after the day’s travel, be it from the United States or from Siedlce. On Sunday some reported being kept awake by the wedding celebration taking place at the hotel. 

 We gathered for breakfast on Sunday morning, most very grateful for the coffee. Then at 9:00 we went to the area which is the work room during the language camp. Dorota reviewed the schedule for the day and then went on to describe Global Volunteer’s history in Poland, explaining, although we are in Zakopane, that this language camp is sponsored by the host organization, the County of Siedlce. She named the Polish staff members accompanying the campers and explained their roles. 

Next we together reviewed the Global Volunteer guidelines. Dorota answered questions about health and safety concerns and distributed emergency cards to the team members for their use while in Poland.  This was followed by a discussion about how we will do morning meetings, including the reading of the journal and bringing the message of the day.  She noted our daily class schedule will have four periods, each beginning on the hour, and ending at 45 minutes past the hour, with a fifteen minute break between class sessions. 

The next task was setting team goals. We created:

1.       To develop an appreciation of Polish culture;

2.       To help students enhance their English skills;

3.       To promote a positive cultural interaction and exchange; and

4.       To pay it forward inter-generationally.

We identified the following team characteristics towards which we will work; positive approach, patience, openness, levity/sense of humor; acceptance of others’ ideas, enthusiasm, sharing, flexibility, respect, open-mindedness, punctual, sensitivity, appreciation of others, excitement, and honesty. 

We played the name game to help us remember each other’s name and then took a break.

Following the break, Dorota reviewed the usual daily schedule. We will meet in the Karczma at 7:45 am for morning meeting, have breakfast at 8, teach from 9:00 – 12:45, have obiad at 1:00, and kolecja at 6:30. The afternoons will be flexible – time to join students on hikes or other activities or to prepare lessons. We reviewed the teaching supplies in the work room, thinking about our first lessons.

At 12:00 we gathered in the Karczma with the campers and the Polish staff. The Polish staff and the Global Volunteers introduced themselves. Then we went to the work room and met the campers in small groups. Using these interactions, Dorota gathered data to form the teaching groups.

We finished introductions with students just in time for obiad. At 2:30 we went into Zakopane. People did shopping, exchanging of money, or simply people watching. We returned to the hotel in our trusty yellow van. 

After the evening meal we all gathered together with the campers and Polish staff. Dorota assigned campers to each of the Global Volunteer teachers. Each of us had a short meeting with our group, and then it was time to begin preparation for Monday’s lessons.

Journal prepared by Lori

Gratitude

Halloween morning--no goblins in sight.  The team's day got off without a hitch; Rene and Carlene to their morning classes and Margo, Maureen, Marilyn and Teala on a quick tour and errands with Dorota in Siedlce. 

The afternoon team had shopping to do for a Halloween celebration with their students in the evening.  While out, Dorota took us to see the old town hall, University buildings, old church, library, Mayor's office, cemetery and other points of interest in her hometown.  We also learned the cultural lesson that in Poland, mums are only for the dead.

For most of the team, today was the last day of classes at the schools.  Lessons were given and goodbyes shared.  The afternoon volunteers were presented beautiful books on Poland; though gratitude and friendship was felt by all.

At the afternoon team's second school, volunteers conducted traditional classroom lessons, then all joined together with their students for a Farewell Halloween Celebration.  American party games where organized by the volunteers, food and traditional Polish treats were brought by the kids and the students enjoyed the festivities with much festivity and laughter.

Again, much gratitude was expressed by students, teachers and volunteers who --through simply sharing our lives, language and experiences-- learned volumes.

Nearing the End

We awoke to a fresh blanket of snow.  The tennis courts are now hidden and the pond has several layers of ice.  Cars left out overnight were also covered with snow.  The trees that were a brilliant red and gold are now looking bare.

The team gathered for breakfast and message of the day.  Dorota informed us of the events for the remainder of the week. Tomorrow she is taking Marilyn, Margo, Teala and Maureen on a tour of Siedlce.  Tomorrow is also the last day classes for four of the volunteers.  Anna, the teacher, at Siedlce Middle School has requested that the volunteers do something special for Halloween.  Some games were discussed.

Rene and Carlene left for their classes and Dorota took Marilyn to her physical therapy appointment. Margo, Teala and Maureen prepared lessons for their classes.  The remainder of the day was business as usual.  The team gathered for a nice dinner, good conversation and preparation for the next day.

Everything Going Well

We all woke up to a brisk morning.  Snow still covered the ground and foliage.    It was cold outside.   A nice breakfast was enjoyed with conversation.   After breakfast, Rene and Carlene left for their schools.  Margo, Maureen and Teala left after lunch for their schools.   Marilyn stayed behind at the direction of the therapist treating her back.
All classes went well even though we had several power outages at the Home.  Dorota, as usual, saw that everything was going well.  We gathered at dinner for another fine Polish meal and good conversation.  Most of the team retired below the dining room for more lesson planning.  We saw a light snow beginning later in the evening and went to bed wondering how much whiter the countryside would be in the morning.

 

Weekend Plans

After a night of wind and rain Friday dawned a beautiful sunny morning. At breakfast Carol and Kathie said their farewells to our team. They were leaving for home on Saturday. Kathie invited the team to stay with her if the Twins ever play in the world series. Our California group Giants are 3 and 0 in the World Series.

 

On Friday Carlene was having dinner with one of her students and his family. Marilyn, Teala, Margo and Maureen took off for a weekend in Warsaw after their last class. Once more our dedicated team leader, Dorota, saved the day when the four arrived to the train station late. She saw to it that we got our round trip tickets, boarded our train with our luggage and headed off for an adventurous weekend.

 

On Saturday everyone woke up to the first snow fall of the season. As destiny would have it the volunteers were reunited in the Warsaw mall. On Sunday everyone met for dinner telling all their fun experiences.

Classes

Today was a crisp, yet wet, October day.

The team began the day with a breakfast of 'blinkies" and the usual Polish breakfast bevy of veggies, meats, fruits and breads.

The message of the day was read followed by the previous days' journal.  Dorota discussed the team assignments-including likely student changes for the Siedlce group.

Discussion at breakfast relayed various invitations from students and their families to volunteers for tea or a meal tonight or later this week.  Proof positive of welcoming and gratitude by the community.

The morning group left as usual for their assignments and the afternoon group returned to their lesson preparation or sick bay rest in Marilyn & Teala's case.

Upon return, student assignment changes for the afternoon team appeared to be successful for both volunteers and their classes--and likely Dorota as well.

All of the ladies returned to Reymontowka for a dinner of revered potato latkes with a creamy mushroom sauce.  Renee was absent--instead dining with a new school acquaintance.  Conversations of the night reminisced of team travels, communication technologies and beloved pets...all set to the tune of new Reymontowka arrivals at the next table enjoying dinner and a bottle of Poland's clear courage.

Another Day

Today we woke up to sunshine.  After two foggy days, it was a welcomed sight.  For breakfast we were treated to a warm egg dish.  After some conversation the volunteers headed off to their assignments or to prepare their lessons for their assignments.  Carol did individual tutoring; and, Carlene and Rene went to a high school for a question and answer session. Teala remained in sick bay.  For the rest of us, it was business as usual.  The volunteers continue with their positive attitudes willing to face their challenges of the day.

 

After a long day we gathered for another delicious meal of pizza and cold cuts.  The volunteers enjoyed some conversation and then retired early or prepared lessons for the next day.