Bulgarian spring tradition

How to get a feeling for "Europe"? There is no better way than showing interest in traditions of other  countries. So for me Poland is a good place to learn more about Bulgaria! How? 

When a friend saw my Bulgarian flatmate wearing a bracelet made of red and white threads she got very excited. She was the only one in the group who knew about the deeper meaning. One second later, everyone in the room was wearing the same bracelet! 

Bulgarian people have a very special way to welcome spring. In Bulgaria, the martentitsi are exchanged all around between family members, friends and colleagues. The red and white strings are given and donned as a way to greet the coming season and guarantee a healthy and fruitful year.

For a couple of days I didn't notice that nature was starting to be awake again, but suddenly I stopped at a very beautiful bush and decided to leave my bracelet there.

Where are you from?

pixabay.com/SF

"I come from..."
"Great. Where exactly?"
"It's..."
"Ah, I don't know..."
"It's near..."
"Oh okay... what..."
"..."
"How..."
"..."
"How many..."
"..."


Erasmus is... getting extra lessons in geography.

Zapiekanka - the Polish doner

Picture: ES

When students in Krakòw talk about Zapiekanka, you can see them smiling all the time. Visitors, who came to Poland the first time, usually look puzzled. They often ask the question "What is Zapi...kapi...Zapekake?" 

The reaction of students is that they sigh and try to explain this miracle. Well, to put it briefly, it's just an open-face sandwich. But in fact, it's much more. It's lifestyle! This bread is very popular street food in the bigger cities of Poland, especially during nights. Zapiekanka comes from zapiekac, which means "to bake", because it's baked in an oven and eaten hot. It's basically a long baguette bread roll cut in half, covered with a variety of toppings. The traditional zapiekanka consists of mushrooms, cheese and ketchup and newer versions include ham, salami, vegetables, fried onion or chive on the top or spinach instead of mushrooms. Keep in mind - it's heavy food! You should be hungry when ordering this tasty dish. But you won't regret it.

Secret Paradise - Tatra mountains in Poland!

Yes, Kanada is impressive. But why has nobody told me about great Polish nature before?

European identity?

Erasmus is...? My Polish teacher for "Poland and EU" at Jagiellonian University in Kraków told us that Erasmus it's a big experiment.

Yes, I agree, but in the end, it works: Many young people in Europe realised during the semester abroad that it's not all about nationality. It's not so important from which country you are from, but it's important which music and films you like or which values, thoughts, ideas & experiences you share.

Katowice - anything but boring

A very modern train station

There's nothing to see in Katowice? Well, I could discover a lot! For sure, this city in south-western Poland can't be compared to Kraków. But you can't compare Kraków to other cities, because it's simply the best city. However, it's worth to discover nearby Katowice. It's definately not that ugly as everybody believes. The city had its heyday in the 1950s when its numerous coalmines and steelworks flourished. Until today it is known as an industrial centre of Poland, but heavy industry has significantly decreased and Katowice is moving towards small businesses and trade.

Sich selbst verwirklichen oder sich selbst verwirren

Izunia und Lukasz - für immer? Liebesschlösser in Krakau.

"Später möchte ich das ja auch alles, aber jetzt muss ich mich erst mal selbst verwirklichen." Hm, das klingt ziemlich unkonkret, da kann der Gesprächspartner nur ratlos mit dem Kopf schütteln. Panik vor dem Hausbau! Schockstarre beim Gedanken an Schwiegermutter-Besuche! Beim Gedanken an Kinder bleibt das Herz stehen! Bitte keine Pflichten. Bitte keine Einschränkung. Groß ist die Angst vor einem spießigen, langweiligen Leben. Alle scheinen froh zu sein, den konservativen alten Zeiten, in denen man lebenslänglich in einer vor Gott geschlossenen Ehe ausharrte, entkommen zu sein. Sich an eine Person binden? Ja, so vorübergehend, aber doch nicht längerfristig. Immer die gleiche Person küssen? Ein Bett teilen? Kein Sex mit anderen? Das ist doch uncool. Naiv. Das ist eine Horrorvorstellung! Wo bleibt da der Spaß? Das echte Leben? Die Bestätigung? Wo bleibt da die Selbstverwirklichung.