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Today was Sunday, so we went to Church...the only church IN Targanice. When my grandfather lived in Poland, he helped build this church, so it was incredible to be back. The priest even said a few words about him during announcements before Mass. Church in Poland...or at least in Targanice, is a little bit different than it is in the states. First off, all of the kneelers are wooden, but they are angled...which is actually more comfortable. Very weird. However, if you are not lucky enough to GET a pew, you kneel...on both knees...for most of the Mass. It was also much quicker than I expected. Four baptisms and we were out in an hour. During communion, the priest comes to you, rather than the other way around. It is all very hectic, but it works well for them! After church, we went to the cemetery next to the church where my great-grandparents and my great uncle Bolek are buried. It was definitely a moving experience for all of us. After that visit, we returned to Aunt Janina and Uncle Andrezj's home for MORE FOOD! The food was again wonderful. After lunch/dinner, Jacek and Andrezj decided to surprise my grandfather by
taking him up the house where he hid during the war. Jacek again drove his all-terrain "American Jeep" as they call it. Bryan, Julie, Janina, Jadi, my dad and I all joined this crazy adventure. The jeep had some trouble and so we had to walk part of it. At no point were we driving on roads...just up the side of a mountain. So, we hiked in our business casual attire up the rest of the mountain. The house is still owned by the same family. The man who owned the house, Edward, immediately knew Grandpa. He has been hearing his story for 50 years. He showed us the attic and barn where my grandfather hid for 6 months. It was really incredible. He still had the butter churn and wheat grinder that they had to use at night so as not to alert the Germans. After that, we headed down the hill where we saw MORE family. It's like the entire town is related to us! After that, we had more food and Bryan and Dad said their goodbyes to some members of the family because they leave tomorrow.
"I said goodbye to my brother in french because
he's not used to hearing it and maybe he'll notice...." -Grandpa at the cemetery.
"Who's the girl singing?" -Grandpa
"That's a boy..." -Kelly
"Strike 1" -Gpa
"They're making them younger and younger" -Gpa
"No they're not...they just start singing younger..." -Bryan
"Ugh, Strike 2!" -Gpa
"I'm going to win the summer photo caption contest with a picture of me climbing the mountains of Poland in business casual...." -Bryan
"Kelly, this is super, no?" -Andrezj
"Yes! Yes!" -Me
"If you said no, we'd let you out here. And if you look you won't touch ground." -Jazek
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Emily Ellsworth
non-member comment
so touching...
Hi Kelly, I feel like I'm living the trip along with you a little bit.....I can only imagine how very moving it must have been to watch your grandfather encounter his past so vividly, amongst the people who love him. This is truly the trip of a lifetime - one you will always treasure. Thanks for sharing all the great stories and pictures!