I have been going to Poland regularly since 1992. Usually these trips are very "business" and I rarely get a chance to "see anything". One exception was a trip during August of 2000. I had some business in Southern Poland, for once, and therefore decided to visit Krakow. My father had often told me about his time in Krakow after the war. In particular he mentioned to me one specific address: Miodowa 26. I always liked the sound of that address. It sounded a little like "Mila 18". I still think that if he ever publishes his memoirs one day, he should name it "Miodowa 26". It was there that he was working for "Mizrahi" after the war. He even met my mother there at some point in their early courtship.
As soon as I arrived in Krakow, I made my way to that street, called up my father on my mobile, and what followed was an amazing experience. He described to me in detail what the street looked like in the 40's, and funny enough very little had changed. When we got to number 26, he described to me exactly what I was looking at, the door, the entrance, the steps, the Agudah building across the street (which unfortunately was in total disrepair). It was an unforgettable moment.
We then went for a nice walk in the town, and it was nice to see that "chinos" are very popular in Poland (check out the spelling).
A little sightseeing followed (that's my good friend Andrzej there with me).
Finally after some meetings in the Katowice area, I had to head for my next destination. I therefore went to the Katowice airport (and I use the term "airport" very liberally here). As we were getting ready to board our flight for Dusselforf, it seems our border guard felt the call of nature. He therefore had to take the necessary measures to ensure nobody "crossed the border" during his absence. So, as the picture shows, while Corporal Polanski was moving his bowels...Poland was closed.
4 comments:
it was nice and moving to read your story about "Miodowa 26".
a few years ago i travelled also to the places where my parents were born. ( 2 opposite places in the world). My mother accompagnied me. it's very special to see your own mother feeling her childhood.
I felt deeply sorry that my father was no longer amongst us when I got to "Szondi Utca 20"
Very interesting story and nice pictures. Is Krakow the place where your father was born?
Actually he is from a small village outside Krakow, but in his passport he shows Krakow as his birth-place. One of many lies concerning his birth details.
What an amazing story-I am learning so much about your family!
Happy Thanksgiving
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