Week Eleven: The Last Week in Warsaw and my Favorite Things

I was happy and sad to get back to Warsaw, because I knew it was my last week there and I was not ready to leave.  I know this is a good sign and says a lot about the place and how much I grew to love it.  I also know that it's a part of the Watson experience to say goodbye, many times, to new people and new places.  While it's difficult to leave, it is obviously worth the exchange.  I have learned and benefitted so much from my experiences in Warsaw and I couldn't be more grateful to the people and for the places that made my time there what it was.  

I spent the last week revisiting my favorite places and saying goodbye to the people who introduced me to the city and helped me find my way, making sure that I didn't get lost and sharing conversation with me.  I also finally went to visit the Wilanow castle, something I had been meaning to do for some time, and went to both the massive Jewish and Christian cemeteries in the city, which had also been on my "to see" list.  It was a great way to end my time in Poland, and I left remembering all of the awesome things about Warsaw and reflecting on how I've changed as a result of my time there.  As I get ready to write my first quarterly report, I'm especially aware of these personal changes and the new questions I have for the rest of my year of travel.   

Here are some pictures of my last week: 

Cafe Kafka, which I read was LGBT-friendly, was a favorite place to grab coffee and lunch.  There's a great outdoor area and I saw more than one LGBT couple there, which was nice. 

Coffee and a snack, which I definitely couldn't finish, but which was delicious.   

Beer and a book at my favorite outdoor pub. 

Making spinach pierogi with mushrooms, onions, and kielbasa.  Went to my favorite little grocery to get the ingredients. 

Zuzanna, a friend of Claire's from Memphis, told me that I had to try a donut from Blikle, a bakery on Nowy Swiat.  It was delicious.  

Last Chopin conert in Lazienki Park.  

At the entrance of the Oki Doki.  The mermaid is a guardian of Warsaw.  

Outside the kitchen. 

At the Wilanow castle. 

Karma, a coffee shop in Plac Zbawiciela, was another favorite place.  The square is full of gay-friendly bars and restaurants.  

The rainbow in the middle of the square.  It's down to about a third of its normal size from the last attempt at a burning.  I spent a lot of time exploring the bars and cafes in the area. 

Outside the KPH, where I spent time meeting LGBT people and learning about LGBT activism in Poland.  I can't properly express how thankful I am to everyone there for letting me lurk around the office and for being so open and wonderful.  

With Magda!  

With Slava! 

In the KPH offices. 

So, in conclusion, thank you everyone at the KPH.  Thanks to all of those people who spoke with me at bars and clubs, to the people at the Oki Doki, to every person who helped me and shared with me.  

Thank you, Warsaw, for giving me so much and for making the first few months of my Watson amazing and unforgettable.