poland

The fear of death follows from the fear of life. A man who lives fully is prepared to die at any time. – Mark Twain

Cześć koledzi! (Hi friends!)

I’m currently writing this on my flight back to Spain! I never thought the idea of a foreign country would be so comforting. I had an incredible break but I’m ready to head “home,” back to Salamanca.

On Wednesday morning I was welcomed by a brisk wind and my uncle in Kraków. It was nice to see a familiar face after continually arriving in foreign cities filled with strangers.

By early afternoon we arrived to Banska Nizna, where I haven’t been in over 6 years. I used to spend summers at my uncles home when I was younger, and even though I have changed a lot and so has my family, the house still felt the same. (It even smelled the same.)

Not sleeping the night before, I was quite exhausted from my journey (Brussels to Charleroi to Kraków to Banska Nizna.) I decided to take a nap, and when I awoke the house was empty. Not wanting to waste any time, I decided to go for a walk. I bundled up in my winter coat, knitted hat, and thick scarf and headed out the door.

Even though the town is small, with only one main road, it contains a lot. It is where my family grew up and even where some of them died. I decided to go visit these family members at the cemetery.

The cemetery is just up the road, across the street from the church. (Even if it is your first time in Banska, you could even find it with these directions.) You need to walk up a slight hill to get to the cemetery, but the view from there is beautiful. It is strange to think of a place where dead bodies are piled together as beautiful, but I personally think it truly is.

I like to think that I’m not afraid of death, but I don’t think that can be possible for I know I fear change, and death is an eternal change (or so I think.) Im not sure what I think or what exactly I believe, but I find cemeteries a personal place, an emotional place.While I was there, a thick snow started to fall. The wind was bustling. I felt like someone was telling me something. I’m not sure who or what, and maybe it was mere coincidence but I’d like to think not.

Coinciding with the wise words of Mark Twain, I’m going to love life and live it to the fullest, so I don’t have to be afraid. For being afraid of death is being afraid of life, and I don’t want to be afraid.

Check in tomorrow to hear about day 2 in Poland!

Xoxo,

Salamanca, SPAIN.

Tatry: Kasperowych Wierch i Giewont

Final part of EuroBreak: Welcome to the Motherland

Time flies when you’re having fun!