The person that I want to acknowledge most is my dear friend Anna! We have been friends for a very long time, messaging each other over the internet for about nine years. In times when I really needed a friend, when I really needed someone there to remind me that I was not alone in my struggles, she was there to cheer me up, and continues to do so. I always had this impression that she was very beautiful, talented, kind, and gentle from what I have seen of her photos, drawings, and read in her messages. And when I finally met her in person I was overjoyed to see all those qualities come to life before me! I can not thank her enough for being the person that she is! Dziekuje, moja droga przyjaciolka! This translates to Thank you my dear friend!
After Anna, I would like to thank her parents for being so incredibly open and hospitable to me, for showing me so much love and acceptance! It is hard to know where to begin. Despite there being a fairly substantial language barrier, Mariusz (Anna's Father) and Ewa (Anna's Mother) continued to try and communicate with me. Anna did an amazing job at translating, which I know was difficult for her for such a long period of time, and I would like to thank her again for that. When Anna was not there to translate though, we always had fun trying to use any means we could to show what we wanted to say, hand signs, pointing to objects, and finding small portions of what we wanted to says in either English for them and Polish for me.
I will always fondly remember the conversations that I would have about American culture with Mariusz. It was always fun to do our best at communicating. Some subjects that came up were history, movies, music, and politics. Ewa is a wonderful cook! She always made sure that I had plenty to eat! She also made sure that I had all the amenities that I needed, though I tried my best not to impose, I felt no imposition would be offensive. They were so very considerate and kind to me! Dziekuje rodzinie Liwinska! I also want to thank Anna, Mariusz, and Ewa for showing me such a good example of what it means to put, love, consideration, and respect into taking care of one's house hold, belongings, and cooking meals. It gave me pause to think about how much care and concern I show in these matters as well as being hospitable and kind to others.
Anna's fun and lively brother, Kamil, his calm and considerate wife, Maya, and insightful, dedicated friend, Paulina spent time with me as well. They really helped me to feel welcome in Poland! They spent time with me in conversation, recreation, and enjoying food. I am very thankful to all of them, and hope that I have shown them kindness and gratitude in return!
The people of Szczecin, Poland, in general, were very pleasant to be around. They were very quiet and respectful of each others' space even though the city was so crowded and big. I rarely noticed any litter, loud music,boisterous conversation, or traffic accidents. The citizens of Szczecin really seemed to respect each others' personal space. Thank you people of Szczecin!
Last, but not least, I would like to thank the Polish people for my heritage! I would not be me without the polish blood running through my veins. And I learned much more about why I might have certain dispositions about certain things like privacy in public, closeness with family and friends, and attention to detail and order, as well as a moderate point of view. I would like to spend more time to get to know Polish culture better, but this is my first impression. Thank you Poland for the Poles! … or Dziekuje Polsce za Polakow! :-)
Thank you very much or Bardzo Dziekuje, my friend! It is a joy to share this journey with you! I hope that we are both privileged to experience being appreciated as well as appreciating and being helped as well as helping. Milego Dnia! Milosc I pokoj dla ciebie!Translates to have a great day! Love and peace to you! From Aaron :-)