Why living in Poland is like living in Hollywood
Poland the Hollywood of Europe
Many Poles are puzzled why I am living in Poland. Poles love Poland. Poland is a great country. But why would a foofy American from Boston live in Poland? Some Poles, but certainly not all, dream of the converse, to live in NYC, Boston or Hollywood.
Besides having a Polish family connection, wanting to learn Polish, among other reasons, I live in Poland because to me this is like living in Hollywood for them. Yes living in Krakow is like living in Hollywood. Its far aways from what I know, exotic, and a different culture experience. Do we have Nowa Huta in Boston? No. Do we have ‘milk bars’ in Boston no. Living is in Poland is very different from Boston., All the things the Poles take for granted is something fascinating and exotic and outside the ordinary for me. It would be like for them to move to Hollywood.
Tags: hollywood, Learn Polish, Poland
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May 8, 2008at 1:47 pm
It is not very understandable for me, why people enjoy my town (Kraków) and my country (Poland). Besides cheap… everything, it’s dirty, laud and the traffic is very problematic. Especially now, with all this roadways repair. From my point of view, Poland sucks. High costs of living, low income. Almost nothing to offer to the young people. Bureaucracy kills every good idea.
After 2nd World War and Soviet regime there is still a lot to change and improve in every single field.
I feel as if someone played a joke on me. Why birth determines people’s lives? Why wasn’t I given a chance to be born in some other country, yes why not in NYC? Sometimes I am just ashamed I’m the Polish citizen, we do not have a lot to be proud of. Except fof Shopin, Sklodowska-Curie, Walesa, John Paul II… Oh and look! 3/4 of them lived abroad, far away from their motherland.
And our government… People pecome politicians just to be rich and famous, with some exceptions of course, but still, we should soak the experience from the western countries, because they succeeded. Smaller and poorer country - Slovakia or Czech Republic are doing a lot more better than we…
I could go on and on like this, but I don’t want to waste your preciuos time, dear reader:)
Best Wishes for the author!
PS: No iTunes Store, no iPhone and pricy Macs and iPods
May 9, 2008at 12:43 am
@Joanna I hear what you are saying about Poland and Krakow and thank you for your comment. 1) Poland is not a poor country. Although Polish people like to complain. If you consider the 6 billion people in the world, Poland is in the top 90 or 99% in terms of wealth. I am not joking. Look it up. I studied Economics and this is true. Think of Africa, or South America or Asia. There are billions of people who live in true poverty. I have been to these places and that is real dirt and poverty. Krakow has more large shopping malls downtown then my hometown of Boston. Gallerias, shopping plazas etc, Polish people are flying all over Europe, taking trips to Egypt on holiday, while people in Africa are starving. I have not seen any starving people in Poland. In fact Poland has great food. Not just rice like some Asia countries but ham, pork , fruits. Poland might have the best food in the world, not poverty and starvation. Poland is a rich modern EU country compared to the rest of the world.
Poland is a great country and its faith, spiritual values, literature, culture and contribution to history is amazing.
2) Poland had the Germans and the Russians destroy a great culture in the last 70 years. All economics problems of Poland were caused by WWII and the Soviets. This is a fact. Look at the difference that existed between East and West Germany before West Germany bailed out the east. - Get real. The USA pumped trillions of dollars to build Germany, if we did that to Poland, Poland would be richer than any country in Europe, Trillions of dollars under the Marshall plan, Trillions. So of course it will take time to be at the same level as Western Europe. But look at Ireland. It was the poorest country in Western Europe when I was growing up and not its rich than England. People use to say that the Irish could only clean houses and get drunk and eat potatoes, now they are richer than England the country that oppressed them. Poland will be richer than Germany. Just as Ireland is richer than England. China will be richer than Japan. This is the way the world works, Money moves very quick and yesterdays underdogs are todays champions.
3) Poland evolved faster than other counties around it, it became spiritual and democratic, and focused on culture and trade and openness, to all people including inviting the Jews into Poland. The great Jewish culture grew in Poland. While other counties were autocratic and ruled by military idiots. This was Poland’s only mistake. They were very advanced. So your not comparing Poland to these countries I hope? Your not comparing Poland to the countries that did not help Poland in WWII or after or destroyed Poland during WWII and before?
4) Krakow, has more churches and cafes than any other city in Europe, per sq. meter. Fact. Krakow is the most amazing city like all Polish cities, from Sopot, to the mountains. Do you know how much history there is? Its clean and beautiful. Paris on the other hand is very dirty and has all kinds of ethic riots etc. I love Paris but Krakow is less toursty and calmer and cheaper and cleaner.
5) Aristotle said ‘ man is a political animal’ Do you think Polish Politics is different than the west or any other government since Aristotle? or America? look up ‘the big dig’ Its 20 billion dollars of Boston corruption. Poland has nothing like that. The governor of CT is in jail as is the mayor of Providence and majors and governors of many US cities and states in the US for bribes. Look up the ‘Clintons and murder’ some people connect them to over 100 murders. I do not believe it, but who knows. Poland is like any other place, actually better, in terms of politics.
6) Do you know that Polish industrial growth rate is 15%? Czech has like 4% Poland 15%, pick up a copy of the “Economist” magazine the facts are in the back about growth. Poland is second only to China.
7) I could go on, but instead of complaining do something for Poland.
May 9, 2008at 1:55 am
@Joanna You are not one of those people who expect the government to help you are you? You want to be born with a silver spoon in your hand or someone to knock on your door and say here is a million dollars? Sorry the world does not work like this. I had bleeding in my brain, I have horrible pain everyday. I worked 11pm at night to 7am in the morning 7 days a week. I paid for my own University. I moved to Poland from Boston and I do not expect the Polish government to help me. Why do you expect the government to help you? Or think it matters where you were born? In a free economy it takes brain and courage to succeed in life. I got a legal job myself and will start a business in a few years. My advice to you is count your blessings and your health. And see all you have around you. Poland is a beautiful place and I know many people who on their own courage got rich. Polish people in Poland, who are honest. Some Polish students complain about Poland, but usually they are the ones who will never really do anything with their lives. No one gives you anything in this life, you have to go an get it for yourself.