Woke up with a fright, thinking I had missed my flight to Poland. The time was 0415 hrs and flight departs at 0740 hrs. Left home at 0530 hrs and reached the airport at 0600 hrs.
Getting the boarding pass was a piece of cake as I was the only one at the LOT counter. Seeing how fast things were moving, I became careless! I was standing in the immigration control queue and was about to show my passport, when I realized I was in the wrong queue, panic set in! 20 min wasted in the wrong queue! I looked around and found the gate I was supposed to go. Thought of running….but being lazy, thats one of the last things you want to do, so I did a fast walking. I was very lucky that there were hardly 10 people in the new queue.
A funny thing happens, every time I go through the Dutch Immigration. I am always asked the same question by the immigration officer “Spreekt u nederlands?” and I say with no hesitation “Kleine beetje” and every time I get a big smile from the officer! This time was no different as well!
As I walking past the Duty-Free shops, I was very tempted to buy my usual share of perfumes but the excitement of going to Gdynia, was too much for me to waste time at any shop! Quickly walked to the correct gate!
Saw a lot of Polish people at Schiphol but somehow I was lost in thoughts about my visit…didn’t talk to anyone. In the plane, the airhostess was visibly surprised when I said “Kawa, prosze” (Coffee, please)… spent the time in the plane sleeping / reading “Winning by Jack Welch”.
Reached Warsaw F. Chopin Airport right on dot, 0940 hrs! Had a little bit of problem at the immigration control. The officer was very curious when he saw a brown guy, speaking Polish. He was curious about everything… Where am I going? Where did I come from? Where would I stay…? I told him, I have valid papers, what’s the problem? Then he asked, where am I going to stay in Gdynia… I said “Nie wiem, mój przyjaciel bedzie przedsiebrac mnie.” (I don’t know, my friend will come to pick me up). I think that last sentence nailed it
He said “Welcome to Poland, have a pleasant stay”. And there I was legally inside Poland.
My Polish friends had warned me about the Taxi guys at the Aiport and true to every word, the moment I stepped out I was swarmed with taxi guys, all trying to take me to my destination…but at their pre-defined inflated cost! I knew this all…went out, took the ‘trusted taxi company, Sawa’ to Warszawa Centralna (Warsaw Central Station).
Had a long and pleasant conversation with the Taxi guy, we talked about ‘Pewex’ (Shop which sold foreign goods), ‘SAM’ (State controled super store), ‘Coupons for food’..we shared a lot of old time memories. We established an almost instant connection between us!
Reached Warsaw Central, in complete comfort! I had just 20 min to buy the train ticket, locate the platform and catch the train to Gdynia. I realized, when you speak the local language, a lot of things get done in seconds!!! In just 12 minutes, I was running towards the train with my ticket in hand!
Hey…something wonderful, a first class ticket from Warsaw to Gdynia (360 km) is PLZ 73.- (Euro 20.-) I can’t believe how ‘cheap’ Poland is!! I guess, it’s the Euro which is talking.
Had a very boring trip to Gdynia, shared my cabin with an old man, who simply didn’t want to talk to me… I left him alone and pretended he didn’t exist. Spent time talking pictures, reading ‘Winning’ and dreaming about Gdynia.
Finally at 1608 hrs CET, I reached Gdynia Glówna (Gdynia Main Station). I got down from the train, all tensed wondering how the first meeting with KG is going to be… but it was what I expected….a tight hug!!! In just a split second, we went back to Class I of School No: 18, Gdynia !
KG took me to Witomino (part of Gdynia), where she had prepared her apartment for my stay. Beautiful place.. reminds me so much about Poland
We left the bags and almost immediately set out…
I went to my old school… walked around the place, amazingly the school looks exactly the same. I was pleasantly surprised to know that my old school is the best Public school in Gdynia and rich people ‘fight out’ to have their children study here. How cool !!! Later, KG drove me to my old house… didn’t know all those places are rich neighborhood these days ! Went to the best ice cream parlour in Gdynia, Mariolka, just 2 min walk from my old house!!!
Later in the evening, Karo decided to show me Sopot, where she spent a lot of her student life…amazing town, very quite when we went. Reminded me of Enkhuizen in The Netherlands.
Met KG’s friend, KS who runs a shop selling eastern goods in Sopot…interesting person, so passionate about her shop!
We drew back to Gdynia and went to “Le Vita” for Dinner.. meat dishes are amazing here !!!
A happy and an eventful day!