Traditional Polish wedding to be remembered

It is hard to believe to me that it's been more than one month now when Iza and Kamil got married...

My beloved Sister, friend, ensemble mate, Izabela is unbelievably happy woman, I should say. Not only she found a love of her life, but also the world stays open for them - her and her cute husband Kamil.

In times when more and more couples decide to live together but without being married, a love like that gives you wings and makes you believe that there is someone just perfect for you (not that I feel happy! - Mario is the one person in the world I want to be with) :-)

Pure love

It was a beautiful wedding, one needs to admit - a traditional one, typical Polish, yet completely unpredictable in terms of the Bride and Groom surprising us during the wedding party.

Polish traditional wedding says the Groom cannot see he Bride before she is ready to go to the church. When they were entering the church there was a special welcome custom for them - pairs from our ensemble, dressed up with traditional Lowicz costumes and holding white roses made a bridge, under which they walked to finally become wife and husband.

Iza and Kamil in the church

After the ceremony full of orchestra's music and poems read by a soloist from Karpaty ensemble, the wedding party was just about to begin. Even the heavy rain did not stop Kamil fom fighting for his new wife with two knights from Iza and Kamil's historic association - Wisloczanie.

dreams comming true!

us in traditional costumes surrounding ride and Groom

First dance was a mixture of love, passion and emotions as Bride and Groom prepared special choreography and routine for this occasion. English waltz and Tango reminded me about what love truly is - first of all - a dance two dearest to each other people dance through their live, as well as a symbol of subtle love and seizing passion!

first dance - a combination of love and passion

This unique day was even more enhanced by Kamil's birthday, which we all celebrated with Izabela, who prepared fantastic gift for her husband - a book signed by a famous traveller, Martyna Wojciechowska.
Together with a small pebble, Kamil received an invitation for... a trip to Mount Everest, which they will take part in one day! How romantic....

my sister and I

and Mario with Kamil

Dear Iza and Kamil - I wish you love that will stay with you and your new family longer than everything! Let all your hidden dreams come true!!!

lovely dress :)

...and us :)

Euro 2008 - Feel the Rush!

Supporting your own football team is not something easy when that team struggles in such important event like Euro 2008. Well, I think that only real supporters can stay positive in so difficult conditions.

Mario with our proud Polish eagle

So did we - together with Aga, Mario and even our English friend, Thomas, we were there to help our team as much as we could, with our hearts and... red and white T-shirts :)

Tom and Aggie - white and red

Our best player - Ebi Smolarek

M&M

Socialising with SEN and SIFE UK

6th June 2008 - it was a nice day...not only the weather seemed to be not so British, but also we were socialising with SEN (Student Entrepreneurs Network) and SIFE UK (Students in Free Enterprise) - two fantastic student oragnisations Mario and I are part of.

When you have a look on today's student typical day in life, you won't probably find much more than partying, writing assignments and sometimes revising for the exams. Sad? Maybe it is. That's why I appreciate so much a participation in SEN and SIFE.

me, Mario and Oana waiting for our dinner

And this social event we had, was a great opportunity to spend some time together, to discuss projects we've done so far and to decide on what we gonna be doing in the following year.
There are some interesting projects for the local community in Salford, like help for the St. Sebastian Community Centre that needs us to help them enhance their activities' base and basically, traffic :)

Speaking about the Social Event, we were kindly hosted by our friend - Lisa Tse from Sweet Mandarin Restaurant and I need to admit - great food and atmosphere that we were part of made that evening!

Tom fascinated by his Chinese meal

Louise

Mario with his sweet and sour sauce
and our new participants of SIFE

smiling Becky

An invitation for kimchi - Korean documentary by Lena Swiadek

First, I owe you, folks, a note - it is about to be one of those posts that concern traveling, adventures and far-away places, yet one of those I did not participate myself....I mean, not yet... I hope to take part in it - in another fantastic trip - even if it's going to be a trip in my mind only, at least just for now!

Korea's culture still remains for me a bit of a mystery - in fact apart from basic information about Korean government and current affairs, it is one of the exotic, yet fascinating parts of the world.

But now, one beautiful and intelligent woman, a cousin of mine, Lena Swiadek is about to totally change that image I have about Korea (and presumably, most of us, European citizens have).

Lena and her Korean friend
in a typical national costume

Now, thanks to Lena, Korea is just about to open its secrets for my senses. And all that is possible because of Lena's amazing trip to Korea, where she was teaching English, but most importantly - she was discovering this amazing country and now is ready to share her experiences with everyone.

An invitation for kimchi ("Zaproszenie na kimchi) is Lena's first book, as well as it is the first journal written in a reportage-style, that invites us - readers and fans of traveling - for a trip of our lives with Lena Swiadek. I cannot be more excited about finally read this book, as Lena is one of those people that, when listening to, you cannot stop images from coming in to your mind.

Suddenly, you feel like you are there - in the middle of totally different from those we know, country. All of a sudden you are also getting to know and understand people you live in Korea - their politics, customs, cuisine...their lives.

I admit, I am tempted to read this book, in fact I cannot wait to get it! Today Lena has her meeting with readers in Kolporter in Rzeszow, Poland. I wish I could be there to once again listen to her and her amazing stories about Korea!

A poster from Lena's book promotion

If you also are interested in Korea and its culture An invitation for kimchi is a must-have book this year!

Have a nice reading and you are welcome to leave comments as well :)

Lena (in a typical Polish costume from Lowicz region)
and her Korean family

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*pictures from Lena's Swiadek web site: http://lenaswiadek.com

Five facts about Granada in 5 hours (part 2)

There is lots to say about Granada...to say it's beautiful city is not enough for sure. Together with Mario, we realised that Granada has much more to offer than a typical Spanish weather full of sun.

Interestingly, we had only five hours to get a closer view on this architectural beauty. Not that we were in a hurry because we wanted to, but our bus was uncompromising in that matter.

So, I give you five facts about Granada, Andalucian beauty, together with some pictures for you to entertain and comment (I encourage you to do so).

Fact 1:
Granada's name has used to be Ilbyr, and it comes from prehistoric times. In fact, was then changed to Illibris by Romans who colonised it. After that, the current name came together with Arabs' rules.

La Cathedral - a trait of Arabic times

Mario in the Main Plaza

Fact 2:
Built in 14th C, Alhambra, represents one of the most beautiful complex of palaces and gardens situated by the Sierra Nevada mountains. Truly, its breathtaking wall, towers and labyrinth-shape remains of ancient city are worth-seeing!

A waterfall on the foot of Alhambra

Entrance to Alhambra

a labyrinth of houses (at least what the used to be)

Towers of Alhambra

me in the castle

...and who is the torro?

mysterious walls

Gardens - Generalife

grey tree

walls...

Fact 3: Old Moorish narrow streets are called "medina" and they compose a labyrinth filled with little shops and restaurants. Unfortunately, there was no chance for me to negotiate the prices. You try yourself!

shopping...

medina

narrow streets

Fact 4:
They try to match the old architecture with modern design in Granada streets by giving them nice-looking original lamps

amazing lamp

Fact 5:
Be prepared to here some loud group of young people in your bus in the city centre. Apparently, Spanish temper is still true when speaking about young population. We met a group of 6 people singing and entertaining people in the bus with some happy Spanish songs....so different than traveling in the UK

Mario as a Polish flag
(in the backround: EU, Andalucia, Spain)