Walking Poland - Part 1: First Impressions

In May 2023, I had the incredible opportunity to visit Poland. My sister honored me by asking me to be the Godmother of her baby girl, and that was the perfect excuse to plan an unforgettable trip around the baptism with my mom and my husband.

While in Poland, we also dedicated a week to exploring a few cities in Germany and the Netherlands. Stay tuned for more posts about those adventures!

My impressions of Poland:

From the moment I arrived, I was struck by an overwhelming sense of tranquility. At first, I mistook it for despair, though that says more about me than anything else. I assumed everyone was carrying sadness from the country's history and all that it had endured over the years. But it turned out to be quite the opposite:

1. They are Very Faithful:

The sense of tranquility I initially mistook for gloom is actually the deep peace that comes from faith and the mindset of "let go and let God." I’ve never seen churches as full as they were in Poland—not even in Italy. The churches were open every day, and they were genuinely visited and revered. 

It felt like everyone shared a common belief in living peacefully, respecting others, and not stressing over the small stuff. While I know not everyone may agree with me, I was only there for three weeks, and I firmly believe that first impressions are often the most telling.

St. Mary's Basilica in Krakow

Veneration to the Icon of the Black Madonna of Czestochowa in Katowice

2. They Value Life: 

Every rest stop on our journey to explore other cities offered more than just the usual coffee and restrooms. They also featured shower facilities, play areas for children, and some even had spaces for quick naps. Most of the restaurants we visited included play areas for kids, and in some cases, staff were there to ensure the children’s safety. 

When my mother required wheelchair assistance at the airports, I was amazed by how genuinely eager the staff were to help. They even used a lift to get her onto the plane. Overall, it was clear that they go above and beyond to meet your basic needs—and then some—at every stage of life.

Yes...a free shoe shiner next to the restrooms!

2. Green Areas Everywhere:

From parks and courtyards to balconies, you’ll be amazed at how lush and green Poland is (though my allergies were in full force, I’ll admit). We visited four cities during our trip, and greenery was everywhere. One of the highway bridges even had a passage for animals to cross safely from one side of the road to the other (!!!). 

Supermarkets are packed with organic products, and schools are promoting healthy living from an early age. My nephew, for instance, gets his meals and snacks at preschool, with all the food groups included on his plate. While there’s still work to be done when it comes to recycling and plastic bags, progress is being made. Of course, the biggest challenge remains getting kids to eat their veggies.

Warsaw from the top of the Palace of Culture and Science

Krakow from the top of the Town Hall Tower

Beautiful wheat arrangements in Pszczyna!

Poland is the perfect destination if you're looking to reset, recharge, gain some perspective, or simply enjoy some quiet time while exploring Eastern Europe. During the last week of our trip, I worked remotely, and I can honestly say I finally figured out how to take breaks. 

For every two hours of work, I would step outside with my family, or just with Nick, and take a long walk through the Old City or a park. I made sure to have my meals at the right times, sitting down at a table with screens away. By the end of the week, I felt far less drained than I typically do back home.

Stay tuned for more insights from my travel adventures—I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments!