Summer Garden
Day: July 2, 2008
Market and More
Wednesday in Jablonka is market day. And by “market” I don’t mean what most people in the States think of. Sure, you can buy fresh produce, but you can also buy underwear, belt sanders, pirated CDs, shoes, pig intestines (for sausage), Russian cameras (“Zenit was my first real camera”), chimney cleaning equipment, mailboxes, baby chickens, car parts — anything and everything you can imagine is available.
During my seven years in Poland, I spent many hours wandering around markets in Jablonka and Nowy Targ (which literally translates to “New Market”). Over the years I bought a camera (The man banged a nail in with one body to show how tough the camers was; I asked for a different one as politely as possible.), clothes (This is dangerous: there’s a great possiblity for buying clothing of absolutely zero quality.), cheese (pretty safe), and just about everything else. The one thing I didn’t buy was a suit. But I could have.
L found something she wanted, but unfortunately, it was not something that could fit in our baggage.
The market is also a place to go to see and be seen — sometimes, though, you wish some had stayed home.
After lunch, it was time for swinging.
And bicycle riding
L then took a nap and we went for a walk down Jablonka’s main street. There’s still a lot of evidence of Polska’s rural past here. It’s still present, in other words.
We did a little shopping in its most famous building — the GS shop. Now, it’s a ruin. There was a time it was impressive, I’m sure — in a Stalinist, Social Realist kind of way.
We picked up some candles for Babcia’s grave,
then went back for a little relaxation. The Girl by this time was running around the yard as if she’d lived here all her life, chasing the dog, throwing the dog’s nasty toilet-plunger toy, and generally bringing joy to everyone.
After dinner — fresh baba (soft, slightly sweet bread) with fresh butter (about an eighth of an inch thick — rural Polish style) and homemade raspberry jam. As Nina might say, fresh and honest — we headed to the church to pay our respects and discuss L’s upcoming baptism with the priest.
Lastly, K’s best friend from high school — well, from primary school, high school, university — came over for a first visit. The daughters got along very well.
