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.

Vom politischen Unbekannten zum polnischen Präsidenten in 5 Monaten: Andrzej Duda

Vor der Wahl: Warschau, Altstadt Marktplatz

 Das zweite Mal zu Gast auf dem Sofa: Vanessa Pudlo

Er hat es tatsächlich geschafft: der national-konservative Andrzej Duda ist neuer polnischer Präsident - wahrlich eine kleine Sensation für Jemanden, der noch im Januar ein völlig Unbekannter auf dem polnischen politischen Parkett war. Dudas Erfolgsrezept? Er hat sich unters Volk gemischt und sich tatsächlich auf das Neuland namens Internet gewagt!

Sonntag, 20:30: Während ganz Polen gespannt auf die ersten Hochrechnungen wartet, melden die polnischen Medien, dass die sogenannte Wahlruhe wegen eines Todesfalls in einem Wahllokal um 90 Minuten verlängert werde, die Ergebnisse seien erst um 22:30 zu erwarten. Die Chefs der Wahlbüros von Duda und Komorowski wissen aber bereits zu diesem Zeitpunkt, dass es schlecht für ihn aussieht: Bronislaw Komorowski. Entsprechend locker ist die Stimmung unter den Duda Anhängern, sie feiern ihren neuen Star am PiS-Himmel.

Andrzej Duda - new president of Poland

Warsaw, Castle Square-10 April commemoration of Polish Air Force crash

Should we be surprised about the new Polish president Andrzej Duda? Well, I'm not. In Warsaw's old town I saw him passing by at rynek, by foot and only surrounded by a few assistants and guards. People were calling him "Andrzej, Andrzej!" and cheerfully waving to him, in the other hand the Polish flag which they brought for the commemoration of the Polish Air Force crash.

This was the moment when I started to take Duda serious, because I experienced that he can reach people. He appeared to be comprehensible to the man in the street, an attribute which is rare among politicians since they usually evoke negative emotions. Moreover, in Kraków Duda-campaigners seemed to be more enthusiastic and active. For instance in Nowa Huta, the huge Socialist Realist suburb district of Kraków, I was offered Duda-broshures, but none about incumbent Komorowski. Some talks with dissatisfied Polish students reinforced my first impression that Duda is able to win the election. My professor refused to call him "right-wing", even though most of the media does so.

As in many other European countries Poles are tired of politics in general and slow social climbing or even social decline in particular. Therefore they tend to vote for populists like Duda. He provides simple solutions und gives hope to the people. Let's see, if he can really improve people's life. The president has limited powers, but is head of the armed forces and has the power to propose or veto legislation.

Picture: SF