Płock (Pwonsk)

Hello from Ciechanów!!!!


I am going on day 2 with my host family.  It has been a little awkward, but it has also been getting better with each meal that goes by.  Muni and I really get to talk during our meals so we get to know each other much better, and I feel a lot more comfortable around him and Diana.  


Muni- father
Izabela- mother

Diana- daughter (my age)

Milena-daughter (also my age)


Diana and Milena are in college and live in Warsaw.  Diana just happens to be home for the weekend.  Izabela just got home today; we went to pick her up at her teaching conference.  She had to give exams.


Anyway, today, Muni, Diana, and I went to Płock, which is about an hour away.  We went to visit a cathedral there that was built in the 13th century.  It was stunning!  It was huge!  It had a lot of interesting paintings on the walls and ceilings; the dome was massive.  There was a door of the church that was stolen by the Russians during WWII that was made in the 12th century; so the church made a replica of the door because the original was stolen.  It was kind of cool to see it--I wish I could have seen the real one from the 12th century!!


  After we looked around the church, we decided to walk through town.  It was a very gray day, but it was nice to walk around the shops.  Most were closed on account of it's Saturday (Sobota).  Then, we went to pick up Izabela in the town near by.  We actually got lost a lot because Muni isn't familiar with the town! 


We met Izabela, who speaks very little English, along with some of her teacher friends who also speak very little English.  We had dinner at a hostel, where Izabela was staying.  I felt pretty isolated during dinner since everyone was speaking Polish.  It was a strange feeling that I didn't like.  I picked up a word or two every once in a while, but I was mostly in the dark.  I guess I'll just have to learn more Polish while I'm here!


We got home around 8:30, and I called my parents and chatted for a while.  It was splendid.  I've been watching Glee to remind me of home so I don't get too homesick :)  


I asked Muni if I could get a shower, and he told me I don't need to ask because I'm a part of the family.  It was so nice to hear him say that I was part of his family.  It made me feel very welcome and warm.  Tomorrow I hope to go to church with Izabela!


Love,
Katie