Sunday morning I was up early to prepare breakfast for six people, which turned out to be eight people in the end. This was billed as an American breakfast and Aneta and Witek invited their curious friends. I tried to explain that Apple, Amaretto and Cream Cheese Omelets are not a typical American breakfast but they weren't buying it. I'm not that swift at omelets anyway and I was handicapped by the following in my Polish kitchen:
1) no omelet pan - just a steep sided frying pan.
2) no measuring cups or measuring spoons.
3) cooking with gas, with which I am totally unfamiliar.
4) apartment size stove and oven -very small
5) one pan only and trying to keep individual omelets warm in the tiny oven so everyone could be served at once.
Fortunately it all worked out splendidly and everyone, except Conrad, the 11-year-old son of one couple, cleaned up their plates. Two of the women were named Agnieska-blessedly shortened to Agnes but still confusing. One man was "Meeho" which I finally figured out was "Michael" in English. He was well spoken and spoke good English. Chris was there with his financee - one of the Agneiska's- a pretty girl who is studying to be an accountant. He clearly adores her but I am less certain of her feelings for him. Polish people in general seem to be a bit less emotive than American's and it is a little bit difficult to read them. Once they get to know you and are comfortable with you (usually after a couple of shots of Vodka!) they become quite expressive. Unfortunately we weren't serving Vodka for breakfast.
As soon as the breakfast crowd cleared out we jumped in the car and headed over to Aneta's parents house for Sunday dinner. We had a lovely beef with mushroom sauce, potatos, fresh tomato salad and fresh mixed green salad. Now, I know I told you the custom is to eat one thing at a time - well apparently that is just in Witek's family because everything was passed around in turn at this dinner party. It almost felt like home! However, Aneta's father was deeply engrossed in a Formula one race on TV and it blared loudly throughout our meal so conversation was limited to the leaning ear of the person next to you and no other. When the race ended Mr. Weclawek left the table and disappeared. I had no idea what had happened to him and wondered if he was upset by my presence. Not so, it turned out, he had gone to their place in the country to prepare to welcome me and a multitude of other guests who had been
invited to meet "the American". No one said a word to me and I had no clue there was yet more to this day! After an hour of watching the 9/11 coverage on CNBC in English, Aneta announced that it was time to go to the garden. The "garden" is what they call their country cottage. I had been there once before during the series of "after parties" during the wedding weekend three years ago, but never during the day. It is a lovely place, although quite humble by American standards. There is a very large deck, a long covered grape arbor that you walk beneath to get to the cottage, and a large garden-yard. The cottage has a single downstairs room, a tiny tea cup of a kitchen and an equally small bathroom. Apparently there is a sleeping room upstairs over the sleeping room but I didn't hazard attempting the ladder to see it.
When we arrived Aneta's father, Witek,(yes, the same name as her husband, greeted me with a deep bow, a big smile, a kiss on the back of my hand and three kisses on my cheeks! He told Aneta to tell me he had to come ahead to set things up so he could greet me properly! Go figure. He speaks zero English and makes no attempt, but he played 50's and 60's rock and roll, in English, in my honor. I'm sure the rest of the guests wished the selections had been something more traditional and to their liking. "Father Witek" had invited some of his employees, also Aneta's co-workers as she works for her father, Aneta's in-laws - who had had to endure an entire afternoon and evening with me the day before - his cousin and her husband (she spoke some English and has a son living in London) and various other unconnected guests. We were treated to tea ( hervata, remember) or Kava and plum tort made fresh by one of the guests and Alicia, Aneta's mother. The food was delicious all day long!
When father Witek brought out the Vodka it was time for husband Witek to round up his little family and "the American" and head home. I was grateful as I was completely exhausted. Husband Witek had to return to his Fire Administrator's school by 9 pm so we hurried off saying our good-byes in English and Polish. -- "good-bye, Jin dobrey! Thank-you, Jin couia!". Even Alex the dog,looked confused.
Ania and Aneta have both come down with colds. Aneta took Ania to the doctor this morning and then dropped her off at her grandfather's for the day. Aneta went to work today and I slept until 11 am! I couldn't believe it but I was so exhausted from this big weekend of being on exhibit that I probably could have slept all day!
You know, I am not very comfortable in social groups. I never know what to say and I'm always afraid I will do something stupid. The only good thing about these social groups is that most of the guests wouldn't know if I said something stupid and, being an American, they seem to give me a lot of latitude. Anyway my farewell from father Witek was a warm repeat of the greeting, fueled, I'm sure, by a couple of shots of Vodka!
I'm going for a walk now and see the neighborhood outside a car for the first time.
Linda
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