June 10 -11. I made it to Poland. It has been a trip in the making for years, and, when I say years I mean decades. I grew up my entire life celebrating holidays with polish traditions. Making pierogi, celebrating Vigilia, conking eggs, dressing up for school projects, getting baskets of food blessed at Sacred Heart, and most importantly listening to my dziadkowie (grandparents) and father talk in polish when little.

My grandfather and all great grandparents were born here. We have pictures, documents, passports, news paper clippings and immigration information. It is now a matter of connecting all it to complete the family tree. This trip is just the start of that search with a tour of this country starting in Gdansk.

Witam to Gdansk

Our hotel was just steps away from the Motława River where on both sides is filled with shops and restaurants. One side built up over 8 years ago. I am in awe of the growth of this city given that 85% of it was completely destroyed in the WW2.

We walked the cobblestone streets of Old Town filled with Gothic churches and medieval gates, and reconstructed buildings in its original style

Where WWII Began

Here’s something wild: World War II actually began in Gdańsk, or just outside it, at a place called Westerplatte. On September 1, 1939, German forces fired the first shots of the war here.

The Birthplace of Solidarity

But Gdańsk isn’t just where war began and lost its freedom but also where it started to get it back.

In 1980, workers at the Lenin Shipyard went on strike, demanding better conditions and political reforms. Led by Lech Wałęsa, these weren’t just protests—they sparked the Solidarity movement (Solidarność), the first independent trade union in the Soviet Bloc.

The strike inspired millions across the country, and eventually led to negotiations that helped end communism. Of course the Soviet’s induced Marshall law in 1981- 1989 and once again under communist rule designated the country.

Think about it, it has only been since 1989 that this country has been a free nation. Our guide remembers the long bread lines and cannons in the streets. The acts of the soviets are still visible. Blocks of cement apartment buildings which were erected for citizens are everywhere. They have since started to paint them colors to slowly erase the memory.

Pierogi, Vodka, Wozniak and Other Small World Encounters.

On to more fun things. We ended our night with a vodka tasting and a Polish charcuterie board complete with Platki. I thought I was having brunch at home!

Our guide who is from Krakow informed me that Rochester is the sister city of Krakow and because of this spent a year as an exchange student going to Gates Chili High School.

Let’s Keep Score

Wozniak sighting: 1 The receptionist at the hotel was a Wozniak

Pierogi eating 2: For lunch and on the charcuterie board.