A Polish Wedding and then a disaster!

Hello and welcome to another blog from the adventures of me (Mercedes) and Mahina, because Kyran got stuck working he is missing out.  

Quick recap of our adventures so far:
Day 1: Harry Potter Tour
Day 2: London
Day 3: Stonehenge, Bath and Glastonbury
Day 4: Hampton Court Palace and plane to Poland
Day 5: Part 1 - Auschwitz
            Part 2 - That is what we are up to now!

We are up to Day 5: Part 2 as Part one was a morning visit to Auschwitz which was enlightening but a heavy subject to follow with a wedding so I decided to break it into two separate blogs. 

So welcome to the happy upbeat part of Day 5!

After we finished at Auschwitz we had a car drive for 2 hours to get to the Polish town of Nowy Sacz that the wedding was in. 

I am glad that we didn't drive straight down to the wedding location from the airport at night as the scenery was absolutely beautiful and it would have been a shame to have missed it. 

The drive was scenic and we had our lunch on the drive there which consisted of a packet of chips and a pastry or two. 

On a side note I found it near impossible to be Vegan in Poland!! Everything had dairy! Breakfast was cheese and a yoghurt thing with herbs in it.

The bread isn't the fluffy white stuff that us westerners are use to either, Polish bread will give your teeth a run for their money.
In fact it was hard enough to be vegetarian but that is a line I would go hungry and die before I cross so vegetarian was as low and I could go! Just to be practical ya know?

Right on with the blog!
After a melancholy morning and both Mahina and myself processing what we had experienced in two completely different ways it was a quiet drive but a tense one, as we were almost running late for the wedding, pretty much exactly on time. By exactly on time I mean that we were arriving just as the bride should have been putting on her shoes and walking out the door. 

This would have been fine if I was just a guest but I was one of the unofficial photographers and wanted to get the good old ' getting ready' photos. 

Well we arrived not dressed for a wedding, I had to fly in and get my wedding attire on and then get snapping with the camera... 
Makeup? what makeup? 
Hair? That will have to do!

A few quick photos before the wedding of the family blessing given beforehand and then it was time to get to the church!







NOTE* I have been told that this was not a fully traditional Polish wedding but that there were elements of it there. 

First to the church
We arrived at the church and it was a more informal matter then I have experienced in all the western weddings that I have been to. 
My friend already had a baby so I think that they decided to go for a practical wedding rather then a decked-out fancy formal wedding. 

The church like many of the churches that we drove past in Poland was very modern. In my travelling experience, Roman Catholic churches are usually  massive awe-inspiring old relics, for lack of a better way to describe them. But in Poland they all seem to be fairly modern, which led me to feel a more friendly and less formal interpretation on religion from the feelings that they inspire. 

Wedding:

Well back to the wedding. The bride and groom walked down the isle together - which I am not sure if this is traditional, but from a western perspective it was unconventional - but lovely!

Awww don't they look so happy!

Funny story: From the moment we got to the church I got the vibe that not many people were interested in being at the church but were there as a matter of formality - because with no church there can be no wedding party!

I kept being told: "wait for the party" "that will be the good bit!"

But let me quickly cover the service and then we can get on with the party!

The service was in Polish as was the rest of the wedding, so I was more observant of actions and rituals. 

I think I may have got a little carried away with taking photos too. I am sure that the priest gave me a death stare that said 'sit down and shut up' because of the camera's 'clicking' sound of the shutter.  

Again this was a foreign country with foreign language and culture to me so on one hand I was trying to be respectful and experience the wedding, and on the other hand my armature wedding photographer in me wanted to capture the moment.

I won't bombard you with photos don't worry but I will share some as a point of example. 





Left: Another thing that I had not seen before was the covering of the hands to bless the rings (I think, it was in polish so I am just guessing here)

Right: Then the kneeling part of the service I have not seen before either... this could be a catholic thing though. I do not profess to be knowledgeable on catholic weddings either.

Bottom left: I am joking here but I think they got a two for one deal on the services as they took the opportunity to baptize their new little son on the same day as the wedding. 

So it was literally one service for the wedding and then a side service over near the baptismal and that was it!

It was a shorter sort of wedding. There was singing and kneeling and ceremonies, so there were some traditions. But my understanding is that the traditions really start with the party. 






Party time!

My first few comments from the party are:

• I learned that Vodka needs to be drunk cold and straight - These Polish people don't mess around, none of this mixing drinks business. Cold vodka straight down and if you're weak then a chaser. 
• You don't need to speak the same language to make friends and have a good time - everyone was lovely and welcoming to Mahina and I, and we were dragged into our fair share of dances and drinks. 
• Polish people are crazy - Mahina and I thought that we knew how to party, but boy were we wrong... I think that we tapped out about 3 am. After a lot of food and drink... but let me explain!

From the beginning:

When we arrived at the reception we all gathered around and waited for everyone to arrive outside the venue. 

There were no after wedding photos which shocked Mahina and I the most I think. 

We were all "what about the photos? go stand near that hedge over there an we will take some photos"

But these Polish fellas were not interested at all. It was party, party and party. Nothing else on their mind.

So with no luck luring anyone to a bush for photos we all gathered around the venue entrance while the bride and groom waited at the door for everyone to arrive. 

I think this is something along the lines of carrying your wife across the threshold but once everyone was around it was a 'shot' with arms interlocked and then they smashed the glasses on the ground in front of them. Then the groom picked up his wife and carried her inside and it was done. The formalities were over and it was party time!!

 Above the broken glasses. See the fancy looking glass sweeper brush and pan?

I could describe the looks on Mahina and my faces as shock from the spontaneous smashing of the glasses that we were not expecting. Through to the amazing luxurious interior of the venue to when we found our spot at the table with our names, we were sat right beside the bride and groom. This in both western and Island cultures from what I understand is a huge privilege, and believe me Mahina and I were really honoured!

Mahina

Hey everyone! Its Mahina! I'm just quickly going to add on my bit for the wedding so far and my perspective on things. Coming straight from Auschwitz to the wedding I was so grateful for the long drive! The drive was absolutely breathtaking and I only wish I was in the drivers seat (but no no this was not happening as I have never ever experienced driving on the right side of the road. This was a culture shock for me. Missy was used to it. But i just felt like I was in a rollercoaster!) 

Poland is an amazing and beautiful country. There was ALOT of Political posters around on nearly every blank wall there was. Apart from that, the greenery and natural beauty of the place was stunning. When we arrived I didn't realise it was such a formal wedding and what I was wearing I felt would be fine in a wedding I was used to but did not realise I looked out of place in this wedding lol. After some cranky moments and a stern growling from Missy I went in and had the time of my life regardless whether I was wearing a dress and sneakers lol.
Everything was a culture shock for me. Sitting at the very front of the table next to the bride and groom was a huge honour. Not even in my brothers wedding did I sit so close. This in my culture is an extreme honour meant only for those in high-places in our community or the head of the bridal party. They told Missy and I that we were honoured guests, we had our name on placecards and everything! So we made a pact to eat and drink everything that was given to us, dance when we're told and make the most of it. And phew... Missy drunk and ate for the both of us... it was full on! Back to Missy...

Another funny story: I'm an unruly, unrefined Australian from the country. Mahina an Islander from Australia. Neither of us had any upbringing in the finer things so when we sat at the table and there were 3 forks and 2 spoons and little glasses and big glasses and wine glasses we were feeling a bit out of our depth!

I luckily had once been to a semi-formal occasion as a young entrepreneur and was lucky enough to have a mentor sit beside me who gave me the invaluable advice of "start from the outside and work your way in" as a means to work out what cutlery to use and when.

With this theory conveyed to Mahina we then deduced that if there are three forks that must mean 3 courses. Right! 

(Quick note from Mahina; when I landed in the UK and Missy took me out to experience an English breakfast, I told her that I can't eat with a knife and fork. Missy taught me how to properly eat and I was practicing most of the trip. And boy was I grateful when I saw the set-up at this wedding. Missy had a good laugh though lol) 

So we must pace ourselves. The food started coming and coming. But noted we must pace ourselves. Then there was desert. Ok the food was over, time for chatting and dancing and having fun. 

We made friends with the two guys across the table from us (uncles I think) and every time they had a shot they would pour us a shot. But they didn't speak English very much so 1, 2, 3 shots more... we couldn't do this ... at this rate Mahina and I would be goners before long. 

So the plan was devised. Fill the shot glasses with water they won't remember if they poured them of not! Woot woot! Down the hatch with H2O shots! 

(Quick note from Mahina again: LIES! Hahaha Missy held her shots very well and gave them a run for their money. Myself on the other hand told Missy I am a light-weight and if I was to last this night I can't keep taking shots. So she devised this plan. We did get caught a few times though much to their horror haha)

And we were back on schedule to see how a Polish wedding party happened. Well then there was a giant conga-line and they would walk past the table and pick up anyone and everyone until we were playing a giant game of snake!

Party Party Party... then everyone quietened down... I guessed we were up to speeches and finishing up. 

So we took our places back at the table ready for speeches. NOPE we were definitely not at that point yet... In fact I don't remember any speeches... Mahina was there any speeches?

Mahina: Hahaha reading this blog I am cracking up because she can't remember because she had to drink for two (I was on sneaky water shots). But yes there were speeches however they weren't till midnight when everyone was well and truly drunk. Missy goes to me "what a great idea! Get everyone drunk then do speeches!' However all the speeches were in Polish so we couldn't understand. But they would do a speech - then everyone stands up and sings a song - repeat process. I felt like I was in the Disney Cartoon 'Anastasia.' 

Mercedes: It was food time again! And the food started coming out again! Our friendly "uncles" were emptying the vodka bottles at a steady pace (with a little help from us). 

This was it! a Polish wedding! Perpetual eating, drinking and dancing non-stop. I think at midnight the cake came out. 
What was surprising was that the kids were keeping up! They were dancing and not wearing out at all! 

Meanwhile Mahina and I were dying on the inside after soooo much adventure over the past few days... We can do this! keep partying!

A word from Mahina: So pretty much it was eat - take shots - lights off, dance time. Repeat process until early hours of the morning. Noone is allowed to leave before 2am. As soon as I had food and some shots all my nerves and social anxiety was gone and I was a dancing, socialising Queen haha. As un-co as we both are, we got right in there and joined in and danced the night away. Lights on = we have to eat again. Lights off = work off the food you've just eaten.

The whole night was amazing and so much fun! I am so grateful to have tagged along. Missy got some great photos of the bridal party as well. They were intrigued by our culture and backgrounds, I got asked to do the Haka a few times, they then attempted to do the haka lol. It was a great memorable night that I am glad I was able to be partially sober for lol.

Back to Mercedes...

Haha - I guess I should also mention the bathroom photo shoot... Yea with our liquid encouragement from the uncles and a trip to the little girls room arising we were surprised to find the bathroom just as fancy as the rest of the place if not more!


So woohoo more photos!


Alrighty then! We should move on from the wedding as were still have more of Poland to cover!

At about 3 am we could not keep ourselves awake so we ended up sneaking off to bed which was in the room above the party and kindly provided for us by the bride and groom and was equally fancy as everything else!

The party went all night! We could hear it, and I can not believe the stamina of the Polish folk, they are all mad!

Well we woke up late morning and didn't really have a plan for the day. 
We knew that we need to be at the airport for a 9pm flight that night, so we might as well take in some more of Poland while we were here.


It seemed that everyone was waking up when we were, so we all had breakfast together and then decided to go get ice cream at one of the local famous ice cream parlours. 

It was a beautiful day! With winter soon approaching it was nice to have some warmth and sunlight!

Then next minute while we were standing in the plaza eating our ice creams and deciding what to do next  this military procession started up so we thought we might check it out! 



It was some sort of a funeral! though we don't know who... 

After the procession we decided it was probably about time that we headed into Krakow so it was goodbye to our friends (new and old) and we were on the road again. 

Above: A pit stop because it was such a beautiful day and there was a lovely lake so we thought we would stop and take some photos and breath the air. 

Krakow:

Poland is an amazing beautiful country!

We got to Krakow parked the car and went for a walk to the center. 

Here are some of the photos that we took along our walk.

Above: For when your kids can't breath the air

 The streets were so typical of the tourist photos that you see of Europe - Amazing

Above: One thing that I did find interesting was the way that they were building this bridge. 
I mean you do see this style of bridge around, but I have never seen one under construction!

We also popped into some of the churches that we saw along the way

The Castle: The dragon

At the far end of Krakow overlooking the Vistula river is Wawel castle. It was built at the behest of King Casimir III the Great, it consists of a number of structures situated around the Italian-styled main courtyard. The castle, being one of the largest in Poland, represents nearly all European architectural styles of medieval, renaissance and baroque periods. The Wawel Royal Castle and the Wawel Hill constitute the most historically and culturally significant site in the country. In 1978 it was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site as part of the Historic Centre of Kraków. - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wawel_Castle


A note from Mahina: It was at this Castle in this 'dragons den' spot where I had fallen over the cobblestones and my stuff went everywhere. I then proceeded to fall over another 2 times. Missy had tripped i think 6 times but never quite stacking it completely. I had acquired all those skills and sprained my ankle. Under the Castle there was a crypt, where over 800 years of historical people have been buried - bishops, monarchs, and military leaders and heroes have all ended up here.

Well that was it - we had seen what we could see of Krakow with the time that we had. The sun was setting and it was time to drop the car back and get to the airport. 

Below: Sunset from the top of Wawel Castle #nofilterneeded 

Below: Photo editing at the airport while waiting for the plane. This is where this happy story ends and the reason I have put off writing this blog series for so long. 

Like some one once told me. I suffered trauma on a cellular level! stay tuned for all the juicy detail in the next blog of why it all went horribly wrong at the end.

Well on that note, that's it for this blog we are going to leave you hanging. Thanks for reading and stay tuned to hear what could have been so traumatic not seconds after this last photo was taken!