Journey to Poland log.4

The airplane was going to take me to my starting point...Kraków John Paul II International Airport! When I boarded the plane, I did not know where my seat was going to be. The plane had 100 seats so I couldn't be on the back of the plane. When the cabin crew showed my seat, I smiled. Without hesitation, I placed my backpack on the seat and claimed it as my throne.

In case of an emergency, every plane was build to have multiple exits. This plane had three locations to exit the airplane. My seat happens to be in the middle. I have an exit row seat! To make things easier and safer; the seats were spacious than that of the, lesser, economy class. The chosen ones of these “first class” seats were responsible for opening the exit doors. Having blind faith in sophisticated technology, vigorous training of the pilots, and my luck; chances were slim to none.

One of the cabin crew: You don't have to seat at this spot if you feel uncomfortable. I can ask around and request someone else to change the seat with you.

Me: That's alright. I will be fine, thank you. I wasn't going to pass on the seats! Extra legroom, baby!

One of the cabin crew: Please take the additional safety pamphlet and read the instructions.

Inside the belly of the beast, I was overjoyed with space. I placed my carryon on the overhead bin and went to sit. One last glimpse behind me, it was chaos, a claustrophobic's nightmare. The plane was small. So to see the cabin crew managing passengers seated and carry-ons stowed in less than thirty minutes, surprising. Final check by the cabin crew, the captain announces, "we are ready for taking off." Fifteen minutes later, we were in the air, headed to Krakow.

A two-hour long flight turned into minutes. Time flew by staring out the window overlooking the mountain range. My eyes were feasting on the sight of daylight hitting the peaks of the Tatra Mountain Range. My mind raced with thoughts of the unknown adventures and limitless possibilities that awaited. This feels a lot like the scene from the movie, Jurassic Park. When they entered the park for the first time. Did the actors themselves felt this overwhelming joy and fear that I am feeling? I was inside of an expensive airplane looking out the window. When the plane lands, instead of seeing dinosaurs, it will be Poland. As I daydreamed…

The captain announces: "We have arrived. Please keep seat-belts fastened until we reach the gate. The seat-belts indicator will be off. Welcome to Poland!" (Indicator off).

The short message from the captain was my queue to haste and exit the plane as quick as I could. Cooped up and exhausted in the airport and airplane, I forgot what the outside fresh air felt like. Who knew sitting could be a strenuous activity? I have a strategy to exit the plane as soon as possible. Take down the carry-on, place it on the line to create space, grab the backpack, put it on, and disembark. I am ready! I have to drink water from an actual Poland Spring! A good conversation starter!

Nostalgia was in the air. I waited for the airplane door to be open and remembered my psychological trauma. I felt this way before. I despised store owners that tormented my young, sugar addict soul. They opened the glass jars filled with candies in dramatic slow motion. Why? Delicious candy...with unique shapes, sizes, colors, and smells were waiting to be eaten. Thinking about them, makes me salivate. I could picture James Earl Jones telling me, It was at this moment he realized, after this trip, he should seek help! Great...The line is not moving, and my friend is waiting for me in the lobby!

Blanka and her aunt, Stasia, were visiting the states for their first time. They stood out in the Boston Public Garden. It wasn't difficult to distinguish them as tourists. They had a giant map, boots, white knitted sweaters, and sunglasses. Are they friendly? I thought. With a nervous smile and curiosity, I approached them. Like most tourists, I expected them to pretend that they didn't know English, well.

Me: Where are you guys from?

Blanka: Poland.

Me: Are you guys lost?

Blanka: We are looking around.

She was confident but pleasant. Her aunt seemed shy, but it was the cute shy type. The duo pair looked like they were sisters. Blanka the oldest, and Stasia, the quite one following along. We talked for more than an hour. At some point, we sat on the park bench and spoke as if we had known each other. Pleasantries and contact information were exchanged, as well as promising to visit one another. If the cabin crew does not open the hatch, I am going to lose a friend!

Blanka has been tracking my flight since I left Boston. Every chance I got, I let her know of my whereabouts. She was coming from work which was 3~4 hours away from the airport. The minimal plan that I knew was that she was going to pick me up and drive to Zakopane. I didn't realize at that time that she was going to be driving all day.

When the cabin crew opened the hatch, I went to the airport lobby. As much as I wanted to help, I was not familiar with driving a manual transmission vehicle. I know how to ride a motorcycle, but a car is different. When we walked to her car, it was odd to me that she also drive, a Toyota Yaris. What a coincidence! We did a loop de-doo in the airport parking lot and then entered the highway. Everything was different, as in, KM(Kilometers) and not miles.

We hit traffic soon after. Two lanes of traffic were converging into one. The smell of diesel, constant stop-start motion and my last bit of airplane food was making me, nauseous. To calm my sanity, Blanka presented me with a delicious box of candy. As if she had read my mind. It was a particular type of sweet...had a little kick to it.

It was getting dark, and we had a long way to go. My hope of having a healthy immune system was dwindling fast. I haven't showered, I want food and sleep! Yet, the fact that I was far away from home didn't allow me to close my eyes. A movie director was calling all the shots and didn't want to lose a single frame. The warmth from the sunset light, the subtle cold breeze, and the unknown factor took me to another plain.

The smooth paved road was far better condition than some of the streets in Boston. We didn't stop for gas and continued to our Villa. It gave me enough chance to look at some of the sceneries. With my eyes glued to the windows, I felt that I wouldn't get bored of being on the road for the rest of my life. I saw some funky, colorful overpass, bridges, and houses. As if an architect who is also an artist let their wild imagination and creative side do the planning.

Blanka was driving for more than two hours, and I started to inquire about what is it that we would do the next day. Even though I was a guest to her, in her country, I reiterated that I want to eat local food and be a local. My goal was to immerse and bask on the Polish culture for the duration that I was there. I felt appreciative and thankful for having a friend a close friend like her.

Traveling by the narrow hillside passage, I felt a relaxed ambiance vibe. From distant, the sunset made the hills look like giants. The minimal light bouncing off the top of the smaller hills separated each giant. Like candlelight dimming, the Giants were falling asleep. Not much to see in the dark. Far from the city, away into the darkness we went, where artificial light did not pollute the nature. Entrusting the GPS to guide and lead us to our destination.

Blanka kept on driving. Dodging, twisting and turning as cars headed towards us in…kilometers. In the pitch dark night, not knowing if he had run off the cliff, we crawled our way to Zakopane.

Day (0): Poland to Zakopane