Eva, our most excellent Polish guide, who is the queen of hospitality, took us to the local Krakow mall, where we divided into two teams, mostly boys (with the exception of Mrs. Bauman) vs. the girls. The boys (even with Mrs. Bauman) dominated the girls, although Libby and Becca were extremely impressive bowlers. We had a taste of home, with lunch in the mall at McDonald's, and a brief walk through the mall.
From there, Eva took us to her home in the outskirts of the city. What a beautiful, lovely home! She had snacks for us in her garden of fruit trees and lilac bushes, with lovely pansies growing in the window boxes on the patio and porch. Eva owns the movie, "Katyn," an Academy Award nominated film this year for Best Foreign Film, which was filmed in Polish, with English subtitles. We made ourselves comfortable in her living room and watched the movie together on her big-screen TV. As we settled in, Eva told us that this is what she remembers from her college days--her professors would invite students to their homes to watch films that they wouldn't have been allowed to watch at the university, under communism.
From this film, we learned more of the history of the Katyn massacre, through the storyline of Polish officers and their families. The film chronicles how the Polish soldiers were arrested and imprisoned by the Russians in late 1939. It follows their lives until the massacre in April of 1940, and through the end of the war into the post-war, communist Poland, when the Russians forced Poles to believe their propaganda that the atrocities were committed by the Nazis, not the Russians. After the film, Eva and her husband told us that when they were growing up, they were aware of the truth about Katyn, but were forbidden to talk about it. We highly recommend renting the film to learn more about it. What a wonderful experience, to be here in this historical city, watching a film at our Polish friends' house, and to see in the film the sights that we have been seeing throughout our stay in Krakow. How surreal.
Hello again guys. Be sure to check all of yesterdays blogs (some were done this morning). 7th period says "we love you Mrs. T."...Jacob said something that made him look like an idiot...Kerri can't stop laughing...do we really care if we spelled her name wrong... Baker is in his own world...he's still trying to find the moose rubberband...Jmaes Favia is busy creating his own brand of sneakers...Gobber boy has nothing to say (that matters anyway)...Mel has said 100 things (none of them make sense)...Jamie is not here, she's recovering from knee surgery...Ari didn't get hit by a car today...Stacy is going back to Montclair State today...Julia says nice jacket Bachmann (did you steal that Capt. sign). Have a safe home.
ReplyDeleteHELLO GUYS I HOPE U ARE HAVING A LOT OF FUN!!!
ReplyDeleteAnthony Governali
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ReplyDeleteHey guys, I know you guys are technically "stuck" there, but you should look at this as an oppourtunity to learn more than any other class thats been there before. See you all when you get back to New Milford -- Rob.
ReplyDeletecome home safe!
ReplyDeleteHope you had a fun trip. Come home safe. ;p
ReplyDeleteI hope you guys are having fun. MICHEAL BERNERRRRRRRRRRRR.
ReplyDelete-BRENDAN BAUM
hey guys hope your having a good time. cant wait to see you all soon
ReplyDeleteSo how long are you guys going to be stuck there and are you going to any extra places because of the volcano or just staying in the hotel?
ReplyDeletehope you gyuys come home soon..bigger likes that blonde haired girl. --shane doherty
ReplyDeleteOkay guys, last blog for the Graphic Arts Classes today. Erin, Nicole and Allison both say hello. They hope your enjoying yourself and say come home safely. Matt, Sarkis says hi...Mike says hi...
ReplyDeleteSo all in all, what have you missed? Well today is the end of the marking period (yeah, only one to go), Junior/Senior Motivational Speaker tomorrow, typical Spring weather (low 40's at night/low 60's during day), Mr. Sheninger is still twittering, Mr. Manuppelli is still suspending kids.
Looks and sounds like you are all making the best of the situation. Looks like the added sight seeing was a real bonus. Who was the best bowler?
Behave yourselves and best wishes. Period 8 Graphics
It sounds like you all are still enjoying yourselves even though you are stuck in Poland. I'm glad your hostess is so awesome. I just read your blog entry on Auschwitz and i found the aspects of what the students said to be really interesting. Even as i read the blog, i felt myself walking in your shoes. i hope you come home soon and safely!
ReplyDeleteMichael Weintraub
I'm jealous! I think the coolest part was the Holocaust survivor. Hope you're having fun despite all the problems!
ReplyDeleteBowling? Jealous much. Sounds like you guys are making good use of your time despite the volcanoe issues. The concept of going to a teacher's house to watch a video seems so strange. I can't picture myself socializing with a teacher outside of school.
ReplyDeleteBest of luck.
It sounds like you guys are having a good trip even though you are stuck there! Eva sounds like a nice woman with lots of knowldge to share. We miss you in the states and hope you have a safe trip home.
ReplyDelete-Susanna Sprinson
Your trip sounds very informative. I also hear you are stuck in Poland. I hope you get back home soon and safe. Enjoy your time away from the crowds of high school students (Ms. Sussman). And to all the students, enjoy your time with out school.
ReplyDeleteWow! It sounds like a very fun trip even though you are coming home later than expected! It is nice that you are doing so many things that were not planned. I hope you guys get home soon!
ReplyDelete-Sydney Shub
Hey! Its good to hear that you guys are having a good time in Europe. Hopefully this volcanic ash situation cools down so its safe to fly. See you soon!
ReplyDelete-Nick Gozinsky-Irwin
Wow, this trip looks like a once in a lifetime experience. I hope you guys are maximizing the time you have while you're unfortunately unable to fly home. Hopefully you can come home soon! We miss you Ms. Sussman and Kayla!
ReplyDeleteWe miss you here Matt and await your safe return. We love reading the blogs. Enjoy what time you have left and realize that this is an experience of a lifetime. Be careful, we will see you soon! Love, Diziki's
ReplyDeletei am so jealous of all of you. i saw someone say how it is good you are still being stuck in poland... despite?!?! i never wanted to leave! you are all living it up in poland with all of your new best friends, man what i would have given to be in your shoes!
ReplyDeletestill enjoying yourselves despite being stuck in poland**
ReplyDeleteJames -Is that your German Club T-shirt that you are wearing? Seminar will miss you today. I will keep Michael and Paul company for you -:)
ReplyDeleteCome home soon will you? You do not want to miss the senior seminar party.
-Mrs. McCarthy
wow bowling is rad! love you guys LOTS LOTS!!
ReplyDeletekind of jealous that you guys are all bowling in poland while we're all in school..... hope you're having fun! come home safe (and soon) miss you matt bernerrrr and becca we need you back on the softball field!
ReplyDelete--shannon
Hey guys, it's first period graphics. Sayat says hi (yes he got written up again yesterday and Mr. P might win the bet)...Pec is still annoying...Emily (cheesehead) says you should go to Amsterdam...Tim, yes we still miss you...hope you all get home soon.
ReplyDeleteHey guys, have a blast. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to really see how others live. Everyone misses you and wishes we were there with you. I certainly do!
ReplyDeletemicheal you looked happy bowling!
ReplyDelete-ryan bigger
James,
ReplyDeleteI am in seminar. You are not here. Mike says he loves you. All of us miss you. Hunt says sup. Anna says hi. Mike says"hows the ash?" Audrey says hi. Do some ti kwan dogh if you are bored. God Bless America. Bye
Proehl (BOD) - sounds like an amazing trip. I am hoping this extended journey allows you to enjoy being in the country more and see different sites... I hope for a safe return for you!
ReplyDeleteHey guys!
ReplyDeleteI hope you guys are having fun in Poland! Your trip sounds amazing and it looks like you have seen some incredible things. You guys are so lucky that you actually got to interview survivors! It must have been such an amazing and interesting experience! I hope everybody is doing well and we are praying for your safe return to the States as soon as possible!
~Sarah Raven
well i guess you all had fun going to the mall and bowling!who had the most points lol have fun and come back safe!
ReplyDelete