I’ve learned a little more about the village of Lipnica. Most of the people who live here work abroad (mainly Germany) and very few have remained who simply farm. “It’s the only way they can pay for these big houses,” laughed Danuta the other day. (And there are some huge homes here.) Still, as I walked home I saw few people farming. Near Danuta’s place I saw what appeared to be an entire family making hay. They stacked the hay into cone-like bundles that were capped with straw cones that looked roughly like thatched versions of the hats Vietnamese folks wear (as portrayed by Hollywood, at any rate). Another woman rolled by on a wobbly bike to a garden in the lush area beside the creek that provides the road with its course. (After all, bridges are expensive). I glanced inside the small temples (chapels, Danuta calls them) that are by the road: a few icons, lots of flowers – very plain. It was a much longer walk than I expected. I need a bike.
lipnica wielka
Realities
We had a staff meeting today. Of course, I understood next to nothing that was said, but Danuta gave me the scoop after it was all said and done. Basically, nothing has changed. We might have a schedule by Thursday. This is all truly amazing. We still don’t know if the Ministry of Education will let the school add German to the curriculum! We have less than a week before school starts: Where are we going to get a German teacher on short notice? In addition, we still don’t know exactly how many English teachers we will have. I cannot believe how unorganized (rather, how unfinalized) everything is at this, the last moment! One of the classes hasn’t even been divided into language classes yet. Does anyone know what’s going on? It certainly doesn’t seem that way.
Now, on to the adventures in Polish banking. Danuta and I went to Jabłonka this afternoon after the conference only to learn that I don’t have the proper kind of documentation to get a savings account. When can I get that documentation? As soon as the Ministry of Education (and/or Labor) provides us with the proper work permit. And only they know (and I doubt they do) when that stuff will be ready.
I am beginning to become frustrated with the ways of this country. The bank problems, the scheduling problems, and the fact that several stores close at three in the afternoon combine to make me just a little annoyed. I am at my site and still, I know nothing! How is this possible?
Additionally, I am scheming about how I can get a bike, for this place is too long to walk it and the buses are much too infrequent. I’ve two methods in mind but I don’t know which would be best. Also, I don’t know what (if any) PC channels I would have to go through. Whom would I have to inform, if anyone? “Local solutions to local problems,” said E. Timothy Carroll – I shall take that to heart. Of course, one small problem at this point is how to get the money I will need for this small “project.”
One last thing: I accidentally bought an enormous block of cheese today. I could only imagine what the poor clerk thought. And then there’s the whole old/new złoty issue . . .
First View of Lipnica
My first full day in Lipnica. It was a great way to begin my PC experience. Danuta and I spent the whole day together, talking and obviously becoming more comfortable with each other. We shall have a very good professional and personal relationship, I believe. I am fortunate that I have a counterpart who isn’t married (and therefore isn’t splitting time) and is the same age (roughly) as I am.
Danuta got here around 9:30 this morning and we spent a little time exploring my end of town and doing a little shopping. Afterwards we went to her place for lunch. We walked up a small hill and sat in the shade talking about so many things, but mainly teaching and language. After that we returned to my place for dinner and a bit of conversation.
Lipnica is so much smaller than I was expecting. There are three shops up the street from me, a bar, and a church. Other than that, there was little of any interest. It (the town) consists primarily of houses, which deserve some words: They are usually two or three stories with very steep roofs. They are often little more than large boxes made of blocks, but through some mysterious Polish magic they end up looking quite nice, in fact.
My apartment is beginning to feel just a little lived in. I would like to get some plants but I am afraid I would forget about them and let them die. Posters and pictures might help, too. In my bedroom there is a terrible echo; it’s almost empty. Time will bring with it “stuff” which will make this place seem more like a home.
This area is so much like home. In the distance there are mountains and the terrain itself is slightly hilly. It is so very lovely. It’s a great place to call home. There is clean air here, beautiful scenery, and total darkness at night. I have never been in an place that didn’t have any street lights.
Lipnica Arrival
It has taken so much time to reach this point. I am a Peace Corps Volunteer, sitting in my apartment at my site, Lipnica Wielka. In a way I want to cry – not from happiness or sadness. It’s just from relief. I finally made it.
So now I must write about the past two days: Yesterday had an interesting start. Nick, Ingrid, and I were taking [bus] 15 to the school and they told me that if we took it to the end of the line that we would be right behind the school – no need to transfer to seven. So we got off at the end of the line and began the hunt. I knew we were in trouble when Nick, who was our bold leader, cried out from the front, “Hey, there’s a stream here!” An old man working in his garden gave us directions as we stood pondering our situation. He didn’t know where we were going; we did not tell him [anything] – he gave us directions . . . and we followed them. It all worked out somehow, for we were only lost for another forty-five minutes! We all thought it was somewhat amusing.
I skipped most of the sessions that morning because my counterpart wasn’t there. I wasn’t keen on being bored silly. After lunch Kristine and I went downtown for a little bit, and then I headed home to pack, eat a little bigos, and get ready for the swearing in ceremony.
The event itself was honestly just a bit boring. Still, we sat through it and did the oath thing – it was full of pomp and a bit of hot hair. Afterward there was a huge buffet – everyone stuffed themselves.