Koło

Kolo and more amazing times with family!
Ewa spent most of her childhood vacations in the summer and for Christmas in Kolo. This is where her grandparents settled, and now the family that is there is her Aunt Maryla and her daughter Ela who also came to Canada about ten years ago to visit. Maryla who’s son is Robert, was also in Kolo at that the same time along with his wife Ela and their two amazingly adorable kids Matilda and Ignacy.

Ewa's grandpa's house..

Ewa’s Aunt (Wanda) drove us to Kolo as she was also going to spend 2 weeks vacation there with Maryla, so it worked out perfectly. Along the way, as per request by Ewa’s dad, Wanda took us to a few stops before arrived in Kolo. We got to see the family house where Ewa’s grandfather lived and worked before they moved to Kolo. The lady who lived there told us all about her family and also gave us a parting gift of a pint of raspberries and blackberries. We also visited the graveyard where her great grandparents were buried, and a memorial to Ewa’s great uncles who died in WWII; one was a pilot and was shot down over Germany on the way home and the other was a Partisan. Ewa’s grandfather was also a Partisan during WWII but luckily he got through it alive.

After driving for a few hours we got to Kolo and met up with Ewa’s aunt and cousins who she hasn’t seen since she lived in Warsaw in 2002. We went to her cousins Roberts house and had a fire and a grill while we just relaxed and chatted. Robert and Ela speak English so it was nice for Chad to have more people to converse with. Sometimes its hard to translate everything and it can get frustrating for both of us, but we’re managing well especially because all of the family understands and the smiles and laughter keep flowing.

Ela and Igus and Lody (icecream!)

The second day in Kolo Ewa’s cousin Ela took us on a little tour of the town. Little Ignacy came along for the ride. We went to the 14th century castle that is on the outskirts of town as well as the old town square built by the Teutonic Knights, two churches and of course Ice Cream! In the evening we went to the cemetery in Kolo to visit Ewa’s Grandmother, Grandfather and Uncle’s grave. We drove back and had supper and chatted until it was time to go to bed, we have a train to Wladyslawowo tomorrow to meet up with Mike, Justyna and Lily!

Kolo, Poland, Poland