in dependence

INDEPENDENCE. Today marks another day of Independence Day celebrations in Poland. We had plans, oh yes we did, but in the end the comfort and the warmth of our bed gained the upper hand and as a result I'm writing comfortably from my humble abode sipping on green tea with cinnamon and orange. 

A few years ago (3 to be more precise) November 11th was on Sunday. On Saturday I went on a shopping spree and got myself a coat and new biker boots. I'm sure you've been there too a few times and having bought something fancy wanted to walk the runway of streets to show the world how stylish you are. That was exactly the case with me 3 years ago. I woke up early, got dressed and, in spite of the celebration and closed shops, I decided to honour the day. I took the tram, went to the city centre and decided to go to the church. I don't know why but I used to think that such days should be celebrated in proper places and churches seemed to be ones for the occasion (this is not to say that synagogues aren't good places to celebrate but, given the tragic history of my country, we have more older churches than synagogues and I actually like old churches). So, regardless of my religious views, I went in and took a seat. I was waiting for the sermon to hear some words of wisdom coming from from someone wise. And here ends the nice part. Once the priest started preaching his sermon, I found out that the Smolensk catastrophe was one of the biggest sensations of our times and our duty was to find out who/what/when/where/what/how come of the event. Secondly, I also heard that Poland was the property of the ruling party (PO back then). I was doing my best to keep my jaw from dropping and eyes from goggling. Was I a part of some candid camera series? Was somebody playing tricks on me? I wish the answet was yes. I came to the place which should have been neutral (id est not involved in politics) and help people find meaning in life (a theory most people don't believe in anymore). But instead I found a booby in a cassock pretending to be an expert on international and national affais. Once the service was over (though it felt more like a poor theatre play) I almost run outside, took my phone and texted a few friends to share my discontent. As it was a bit windy back then, I went to Starbucks and ordered my first cup of hip pumpkin spice latte with whipped cream and all those other things I don;t know but are the key to make it pumpking and spicey. It didn't taste well. I put the blame on my mood. But at least I was looking fashionable. To make that day sweeter I bought some handmade caramel candies and got back home. 

Last year I was celebrating Poland's Independence in Vienna, walking though the city streets and eating kosher cheesecake. 

And this year? Well, our original plan was to join the offical parade and be model patriots. Eventually we ended up at home doing our stuff. Next year we'll be better citizens, here's our promise. Until then we're just gonna work hard and learn as much as we can cause that's one of the best things independence had borught us.