Remember that time we went to Europe… 4 months ago!??!?! I think I’m past due to spend a little bit of time telling you about it. As TAMN would say, if I don’t post about it, does it even happen? In all seriousness, I think that somewhere down the line I really would regret not documenting such a big adventure on my blog. So here I go, our trip to Poland in multiple parts. I’m keeping the posts nice and short because last time I overwhelmed you with pictures I was told that people were having problems loading all of the pictures (which reminded me that when I read blogs from my ipad I can’t see all the photos in really photo-heavy posts either!)

We had hoped to visit Poland every other year or so, and in 2010 we had extra incentive to visit because my sister-in-law was getting married! I love weddings, and I was excited to experience a Polish event.

We left for Poland on October 1, 2010. It’s not a flight directly from the US into the Krakow area where TH’s family lives, that’s too expensive. So the picture you see below is T1 chillaxin in the German airport we had a layover in.

The moment when we get into the car with my father-in-law is always so wonderful. Finally the journey is almost over! Poor little T1 was so confused. Was it time to sleep? Eat? Poop? He had no idea. It was Saturday afternoon when we landed and we worked hard to force our sleeping patterns to fit the time in Poland.

While I was at BYU I worked on a project for a folklore class that involved interviewing That Husband (back then he was That Boyfriend!) and learning more about Polish holidays. One that he talked about very fondly is called Odpust, and this year we flew into Poland the day before it started! TH can’t remember much about the original meaning behind the holiday, but it is a day when the church is full all day long. After church goers are finished they get to spend some time browsing the stalls set up on the street right next to the church.

It was interesting to spend some time browsing the stalls with TH. He used to think this festival was positively magical, but now that he’s a bit older and wiser he recognizes that it’s not quite as fancy as he remembers.  We had fun though!

We didn’t buy any toy guns or firecrackers like he used to, but we did indulge in some candy.

My favorite treat was the cotton candy.

TH has always said that cotton candy in Poland is better than the stuff you find in the US. After devouring this giant puff I have to agree!

My father-in-law has spend a lot of time on the landscaping in his backyard, and it’s a really beautiful place. That yellow house in the background is TH’s childhood home!

While we were playing at Odpust, T1 was doted on by his grandparents.

The bride and groom stopped by to say hello and we presented them with part of their wedding present.

I think it was a hit. :)

Later that afternoon the bride and groom, TH and I, and my FIL all went out to dinner together. I have a cut picture of my SIL and her fiance together in this spot, but I’m not allowed to show his face on the blog. Boo!

This is a beer brand in Poland. When I spotted this sign, I laughed so hard I couldn’t even talk, imagining American men walking into a bar and ordering a beer by this name. My Polish relatives were very amused.

Polish relics/paraphernalia are absolutely everywhere in Poland!

If you can’t read Polish (I can’t, I’m writing this from memory) this says something like “Today’s Fashions”. I really hope this is an old sign because this guy’s outfit has me humming this song to myself.

The napkins in Poland are very different than what we have in the US. They’re very thin and practically useless for messy eaters like me.

I wish I could tell you what this was, but it was better than it looks. I’m always a little nervous to try things that look gelatinous, but I was feeling brave that day.

Vegetarian crepes! This made me very happy.

TH chose something a bit more traditional.

Strawberry ice cream sundae. Polish ice cream is so good and I finished off the tail end of this because it was so delicious.

My dessert wasn’t quite as yummy, but it was pretty. I can’t believe it myself, but my FIL claims that the bill for this meal came out to about $5/person! So crazy cheap for a meal this nice. And we didn’t tip the waiter which was strange to me, but it’s not the way they do things there.

This is something America needs to catch on to! Bars on the stairs to help people bring strollers down to the train with them. Hello New York, what’s your deal? I have friends who are hauling double strollers up and down subway stairs that could really use something like this.

Next Europe 2010 recap? A faux-engagement session with the bride+groom!

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