Poland scores in the 94th minute!!!!

Paul Errickson

We are beginning to settle in and learn a bit more about this amazing country. Last weekend, I got out for another training ride around the city and ended up riding through the “Old Town” sector of Warsaw. With narrow, cobblestone streets and beautiful “old” buildings (“old” because it was completely destroyed by the Germans and then rebuilt during the Iron Curtain, when communism existed here in Poland), this area is at the top of the list of places to visit while visiting Warsaw.

The grocery store also poses opportunities to learn, although I am not always certain of what I am buying. We have numerous options within walking/biking distance, and I love heading out to see what I can discover. The fruits and vegetables are amazing - fresh, local, cheap, and always changing. I have never seen so many options of meats and cheese, and we’ve taken to grilling Halloumi cheese. Some things are easy to decipher, like fruits and vegetables, and others require a quick view on google translate (you can point your phone at the label, and the app will try to translate it for you). This week, I picked up some cheese and meat to grill, and I was a bit surprised when using google translate to discover the name and ingredients of the sausage I bought at our local Auchan (see translation on label) Supermarket.

Finally, on Wednesday evening, The Polish Men’s National Team played England in a World Cup qualifier. I went with some colleagues from school, and it was awesome to walk into their national stadium with 56,000+ (mostly) Polish fans, and cheer on the “Biało-czerwoni” (white and red). What an amazing evening as Poland came back from being down a goal, to tie the game 1-1 in stoppage time (94’). The crowd went ballistic as their national team tied one of the quintessential football clubs of all time in a WC qualifying match!! Scroll through the images.

To top off the evening, we hopped on some scooters, and made our way home (~ 5 miles of perpetual smiles as the Polish football scarf fluttered in the wind. When I got home, I gave it to Phoebe (who was bitter that she didn’t get to attend). In all, we continue to do our best to laugh and learn from those around us. Hope that you are doing the same. Final photos are of a nearby international beach volleyball tournament, our new favorite mugs, a birthday card for the director of the high school musical, Footloose (in which Reed will be Garvin), some good old Calvin and Hobbes and a big snail. Much love--