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Day 1

Two Mondays' ago, after double and triple checking that I had everything, I said goodbye to my sweet puppy and loaded all my bags into the car. We picked up cider doughnuts from Cold Hollow Cider Mill and drove up to Montreal. My parents took me out to Moe's and we got famous smoked meat sandwiches!


I was hoping to post this in the airport but I didn't get a chance. I flew through Amsterdam airport and got to (briefly) meet one of my host brothers! Dominik flew out of Warsaw airport Tuesday morning so our flights coincidentally lined up. 

I only had two hours left till I got to Warsaw. When I landed I easily found my host family, they had made a big sign with my name on it! 
From Warsaw it was a three hour drive back to Bartąg, I was only at my host family's house for one night. Wednesday morning I got on train for my nine day language camp. I took the train to Bydgoszcz with another exchange student who is staying in Olsztyn. This camp included a number of different outings and classes (I'll share more in my next post).

I have now been here just over a week and of course I miss everyone in the states but I have been busy meeting so many new people and learning a new language that I have not had a chance to sit and fill everyone in! 



Comments

  1. AdventureAugust 31, 2017 at 6:40 AM

    Thanks for the update Hannah. Think of you often and wonder how everything is going. I can't help getting excited and living vicariously through your adventure... you know how I love to travel!

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    Replies
    1. AnonymousAugust 31, 2017 at 7:29 AM

      I'll try to post again soon! I start school tomorrow and will hopefully be busy with that. Thinking of you too.

      Delete
  2. UnknownAugust 31, 2017 at 5:13 PM

    Wow. What an amazing adventure so far. I'm sure there will be many more great stories to share. Take it all in! Here is a little challenge for you.... post the most interesting/cool/special thing you experience each week. You can look back on the year and have great memories of your time there.

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    Replies
    1. AnonymousSeptember 5, 2017 at 12:05 PM

      It has been amazing! I will defiantly try this...we'll see how it goes!! Thank you for the great idea :)

      Delete
  3. Lesley ClarkSeptember 7, 2017 at 6:25 PM

    I am sure it is all exciting and overwhelming at the same time. You are so brave! I can't wait to hear more! xo

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    Replies
    1. AnonymousSeptember 8, 2017 at 12:29 AM

      Yes and yes! I'll try to post weekly, I'm not sure if I'll always have something to post but I'll do my best! xo

      Delete
  4. UnknownSeptember 8, 2017 at 9:28 AM

    Hey I'm IN!!!!! Yeah. Loved your First Blog Hannah. I only just noticed that you were standing on tip toes standing next to Dominik. Always remember your Great Grandmother's words "Nice things come in small packages." I stopped in at your house today and your Mom showed me how to get signed in. Love Craigs idea cataloging good experiences. Enjoy. love, Nana & Bapa

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  5. AnonymousSeptember 8, 2017 at 9:58 AM

    Yay! So glad to hear from you. Thank you for the words of wisdom :) It's a bad habit of mine, going on my tip toes! I really liked Craig's idea too! This week was a big challenge but I'll be posting tomorrow about my special/cool/interesting thing! Love and hugs from Poland xoxo

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  6. dreamwalknSeptember 19, 2017 at 11:40 PM

    Hi Hannah! I am so impressed with all you have done in your travels so far! I have heard the language a bit as I have followed a famous Polish cross-country ski racing Olympian: Justyna Kowalczyk over the years, it must be bewildering at first! I wonder what the weather and the terrain is like where you are compared to VT: Rural? Mountains? Will you have lots of snow in the winter? Good luck with everything, have fun!! We’ll be looking forward to you posts!!

    Mark, Laura, & Charley Gunkel

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    Replies
    1. AnonymousSeptember 21, 2017 at 11:38 PM

      Hi Mark! So good to hear from you, I'm glad my dad passed along the web address to you! The language is a big challenge but I will be starting additional language class soon. That will make it easier to communicate with my classmates. So far it has been very rainy here, we've only had a handful of sunny days so far. Right now the temps usually stay mid 50s or low 60s. Where I am it's fairly flat with some rolling hills, but in the south there are more mountains. The town I am in is made up of lot of farms, its very open and flat. Poland has a lot of tall, tall ever green trees. They surround all the main roads, it makes for some beautiful drives! I've heard both that it's been years since they have had snow, and that I should get my snow boots ready. I think each year there is less and less snow because of the climate change. I'll update you on our snow situation in a couple months! Take care!

      Delete

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