December 13-15 2013
The 5 of us quietly got out of the car and carefully climbed the icy steps to the front door. Peering in, we saw Mark sitting on the couch, eyes half-closed, as his head bobbed up and down fighting the temptation to sleep. The glow of the TV was shining on his face. He woke up to check his phone, and we worried he might have seen us. It was after midnight, and when people turn 50, usually they'd be asleep long before this (yea I have 50 year old friends, it makes me feel mature). But Ewa kept him awake (and fully dressed) for this moment. Dominka, Igors, Andy, Agnieszka and I slowly went through the first door into the entry way, and kept our eyes on Mark as we tried to decide how to surprise him. We had driven for about 7 hours from Warsaw to Zakopane, in the Polish mountains, without him knowing we were coming. Since it was so late, our other ideas of surprising him were not feasible (for example, Ewa couldn't exactly ask him to go for a walk at that time while we waited for him in the bushes). So instead, we did the only thing we could think of. We opened the door and screamed.
Ewa knew we were coming in, but Mark looked up, completely shocked, and grabbed his heart. We didn't think of the risk here, but I guess there was a small chance he'd have a heart attack. He was caught completely off guard, and acting like he didn't pee in his pants, he put together all the lies. "So this is really why we have a house big enough for 10 people for just the two of us?" he asked Ewa (Ewa told him that there was a mix up at the rental company and they gave them this house but they weren't allowed to sleep in the other rooms). So that's why we took Andy's snowboard and his friend's skis (I was sure he'd get suspicious on that one). So that's why you went outside to get more fire wood at midnight? (Ewa had to unlock the doors and gates for us). So that's why you told me to put my pants on? (Thanks Ewa. No explanation needed). The best line was when Mark looked at us and said "so you guys are staying here?" with the look in his eyes that said "oh no, you guys are staying here?!". Sorry to ruin your romantic weekend, but it was Ewa's idea.
Ewa proposed the idea of this surprise trip a couple months before, but we were not allowed to talk about it to anyone. It was most awkward when a few of us were invited to a couple different parties that weekend, but we all had to say "we will not be able to attend", but not why or with whom we'd be. "I can't go to your party, but I can't tell you why" sounds a bit shady, but we had to do it. I guess it worked out because people understood afterwards. But surprise parties really make you have to lie a lot. Maybe that's why Ewa liked the idea so much.
We headed out on Friday after work, Igors driving all of us. It was quite a journey for just a couple days, but definitely a lot of fun. On the way out there, we tried to find a good country style Polish restaurant out in the middle of nowhere. They are quite popular outside of the big cities, and the food is usually just like a grandma makes it. It's just sometimes unpredictable where they will be. On the way to Białowieża a couple months ago, it was really hard to find one, and we drove around for a long time looking (then we picked a restaurant attached to a gas station with lots of trucks outside, and it was awesome). But sometimes they are every few miles. Generally people in the country side don't go out to eat (why would they, when they make better food at home?), so the restaurants are only for people passing through (and the truck drivers). We stumbled upon a place called Lanckorona, a hotel off the main road. It looked empty and dark when we pulled up, so I ran up to check if it was open. The door was locked and all the lights were off, but an older woman turned on the lights and came running to the door when she saw me. It was a bit scary to see a shadow in the dark coming at me, which turned into a white flash, which finally turned into a Polish Granny. And the surprising thing was that she brought a smile with her. It was Friday evening, around 9pm, and she invited me in.
The place was empty but she said she would open the kitchen for us. This is completely contradictory to my vision of Polish customer service. She actually wanted to work for us. She turned on all the lights, put on some music, and invited us into the empty dining room. She must have been bored. Then she took our orders, brought out the food, and it sounded like she was also doing the cooking. Usually, it seems that the Polish "customer service" avoids the customer at all costs, so they have an easier time. Even if it means losing business. This was a nice change from that. The only strange part was that she told us what we should eat...everything I ordered, she basically said "no you don't want that, it will take too long...you want XXX instead". In the end, the meal was really good anyway. She should have just brought it to me from the beginning.
Since the drive was so long, I took a turn driving...it's nice to drive once in a while so I don't forget how. I don't think I had driven since February in Hawaii. It took me a while to get used to the 6 gears, with the reverse on the top left of the shifter, rather than bottom right. But we survived without any issues. This was another long road trip, a week after Igors, Andy and I also did a road trip the previous weekend to Torun, to do the half-marathon dressed as Santas. I didn't end up dressing as a Santa, instead running with Spartans, since I didn't get to run with them during the big October 10 km run (right after I tore a pec muscle). There was ice on the ground, but the sky was blue and it wasn't too cold: great running conditions considering it was December. All the Spartans had met earlier, but I wasn't with them so I had to chase after them as they went to the start line. Luckily I caught them just before the race started (and luckily it's easy to see them from afar). During the run, I only slipped and fell on my face once (and put a big split in my shield), and after a few breaks and dancing Haka, we finished in about 2 hours 20 minutes. That's about 35 minutes slower than I would normally finish the run, but I still felt really exhausted. Good thing I didn't have to actually run hard. You can also read about last year's 10km Spartan run here if you want to know how that went. Anyway, sorry for the rambling. Now back to Mark's birthday weekend.
After scaring Mark into possibly soiling his underwear (we should get him some adult diapers next time), we stayed up late celebrating and goofing around, enjoying the nice fireplace and rustic feeling. It's hard to beat sitting around a fireplace in a house in the winter mountains. When asked how he felt about the surprise, Mark said that since he was so sleepy, it took a bit of time to put together that he and Ewa had a big house that could fit several people, and that the rest of us were more people that might need a place to sleep. He also told Ewa that it would be great to bring a big group of friends back to that house because it was so big and homey. We were glad to grant his birthday wish. The next morning we made Mark go shopping for us and cook us breakfast (thanks Mark, happy birthday!), and a few of the guys went skiing. I met my PwC friend Aldona, and her daughter Lea for lunch. Lea is barely 2, and speaks better Polish than I do. Aldona thinks she was shy around me because she didn't understand the words coming out of my mouth. Even when I spoke Polish???? It was fun watching her play, refuse food, eat, play some more, and basically take an hour and a half to eat 20 bites of soup and barley.
One-legged tooth brushing
Later that afternoon we all went to a spa (in Białka) for some relaxing in the thermal baths. Sitting at the base of a ski mountain, the spa was amazing. The outdoor pools surrounded by snow and mountains were pretty romantic (again, sorry Mark for invading on your weekend!). They also had a really fast water slide, a wave pool, several indoor and outdoor pools, and some other things that kept us occupied (including a bar). I was having so much fun I didn't realize my body turned really splotchy and red from getting too hot. I had to take a break while everyone else finished up. After 2.5 hours, we got out (it cost me about $10 after the discount for my gym benefits card, which was great) and headed to town for dinner.
It was a long day, and everyone was too tired for a night out, so we went to bed pretty early. After some shopping the next day, we got ready for the trip back. Along the way, I taught the guys the Cha Cha Slide in a gas station parking lot to get our blood flowing. A few cars came by to see what we were doing, honking and checking us out. I'm pretty sure they were jealous. Next time we'll try to make a flash mob.
Although the trip was a fun one, a part of me stayed in Zakopane. I had been wearing my purple "Hope" bracelet for the past several years, taking it off only to play basketball or if a doctor asked me to during a check-up. I got it when participating in the American Cancer Society Relay for Life (over 8 years ago)...but after I left the spa, I couldn't find it. I didn't take it off on purpose, so I guess it fell off somehow. Maybe it was finally time to grow up a bit and stop wearing plastic jewelry. If anyone is in Zakopane and finds something that looks like this, let me know. I've been feeling a bit naked without it lately.
During the trip we decided it would be funny to make a song for the upcoming WITC Christmas party, and the song "The Fox"
was a perfect song to modify to sing about Ken, our fearless WITC
leader who talks more than anyone should be able to talk. Mark provided
the high pitched voice, and everyone else supported with vocals, dancing,
and ideas. We rehearsed throughout the weekend anytime we had a few
minutes...waiting to go out for a walk, before dinner, and in the car.
You can see our final performance, although we agreed that we
sounded much better during rehearsals. When singing live on stage, it
wasn't easy to hear ourselves and adjust our tone with our million fans
screaming their faces off. At least that's what we tell ourselves.
In the end Mark enjoyed his birthday, and we all had a fun time. Thanks Ewa for setting it up, and for being such a great liar.
The 5 of us quietly got out of the car and carefully climbed the icy steps to the front door. Peering in, we saw Mark sitting on the couch, eyes half-closed, as his head bobbed up and down fighting the temptation to sleep. The glow of the TV was shining on his face. He woke up to check his phone, and we worried he might have seen us. It was after midnight, and when people turn 50, usually they'd be asleep long before this (yea I have 50 year old friends, it makes me feel mature). But Ewa kept him awake (and fully dressed) for this moment. Dominka, Igors, Andy, Agnieszka and I slowly went through the first door into the entry way, and kept our eyes on Mark as we tried to decide how to surprise him. We had driven for about 7 hours from Warsaw to Zakopane, in the Polish mountains, without him knowing we were coming. Since it was so late, our other ideas of surprising him were not feasible (for example, Ewa couldn't exactly ask him to go for a walk at that time while we waited for him in the bushes). So instead, we did the only thing we could think of. We opened the door and screamed.
Mark, just before the surprise
Ewa knew we were coming in, but Mark looked up, completely shocked, and grabbed his heart. We didn't think of the risk here, but I guess there was a small chance he'd have a heart attack. He was caught completely off guard, and acting like he didn't pee in his pants, he put together all the lies. "So this is really why we have a house big enough for 10 people for just the two of us?" he asked Ewa (Ewa told him that there was a mix up at the rental company and they gave them this house but they weren't allowed to sleep in the other rooms). So that's why we took Andy's snowboard and his friend's skis (I was sure he'd get suspicious on that one). So that's why you went outside to get more fire wood at midnight? (Ewa had to unlock the doors and gates for us). So that's why you told me to put my pants on? (Thanks Ewa. No explanation needed). The best line was when Mark looked at us and said "so you guys are staying here?" with the look in his eyes that said "oh no, you guys are staying here?!". Sorry to ruin your romantic weekend, but it was Ewa's idea.
Ewa proposed the idea of this surprise trip a couple months before, but we were not allowed to talk about it to anyone. It was most awkward when a few of us were invited to a couple different parties that weekend, but we all had to say "we will not be able to attend", but not why or with whom we'd be. "I can't go to your party, but I can't tell you why" sounds a bit shady, but we had to do it. I guess it worked out because people understood afterwards. But surprise parties really make you have to lie a lot. Maybe that's why Ewa liked the idea so much.
We headed out on Friday after work, Igors driving all of us. It was quite a journey for just a couple days, but definitely a lot of fun. On the way out there, we tried to find a good country style Polish restaurant out in the middle of nowhere. They are quite popular outside of the big cities, and the food is usually just like a grandma makes it. It's just sometimes unpredictable where they will be. On the way to Białowieża a couple months ago, it was really hard to find one, and we drove around for a long time looking (then we picked a restaurant attached to a gas station with lots of trucks outside, and it was awesome). But sometimes they are every few miles. Generally people in the country side don't go out to eat (why would they, when they make better food at home?), so the restaurants are only for people passing through (and the truck drivers). We stumbled upon a place called Lanckorona, a hotel off the main road. It looked empty and dark when we pulled up, so I ran up to check if it was open. The door was locked and all the lights were off, but an older woman turned on the lights and came running to the door when she saw me. It was a bit scary to see a shadow in the dark coming at me, which turned into a white flash, which finally turned into a Polish Granny. And the surprising thing was that she brought a smile with her. It was Friday evening, around 9pm, and she invited me in.
The place was empty but she said she would open the kitchen for us. This is completely contradictory to my vision of Polish customer service. She actually wanted to work for us. She turned on all the lights, put on some music, and invited us into the empty dining room. She must have been bored. Then she took our orders, brought out the food, and it sounded like she was also doing the cooking. Usually, it seems that the Polish "customer service" avoids the customer at all costs, so they have an easier time. Even if it means losing business. This was a nice change from that. The only strange part was that she told us what we should eat...everything I ordered, she basically said "no you don't want that, it will take too long...you want XXX instead". In the end, the meal was really good anyway. She should have just brought it to me from the beginning.
Our own private restaurant
Since the drive was so long, I took a turn driving...it's nice to drive once in a while so I don't forget how. I don't think I had driven since February in Hawaii. It took me a while to get used to the 6 gears, with the reverse on the top left of the shifter, rather than bottom right. But we survived without any issues. This was another long road trip, a week after Igors, Andy and I also did a road trip the previous weekend to Torun, to do the half-marathon dressed as Santas. I didn't end up dressing as a Santa, instead running with Spartans, since I didn't get to run with them during the big October 10 km run (right after I tore a pec muscle). There was ice on the ground, but the sky was blue and it wasn't too cold: great running conditions considering it was December. All the Spartans had met earlier, but I wasn't with them so I had to chase after them as they went to the start line. Luckily I caught them just before the race started (and luckily it's easy to see them from afar). During the run, I only slipped and fell on my face once (and put a big split in my shield), and after a few breaks and dancing Haka, we finished in about 2 hours 20 minutes. That's about 35 minutes slower than I would normally finish the run, but I still felt really exhausted. Good thing I didn't have to actually run hard. You can also read about last year's 10km Spartan run here if you want to know how that went. Anyway, sorry for the rambling. Now back to Mark's birthday weekend.
Spartans keep warm with running pants and long sleeve shirts
Easy to spot the Spartans, even in a sea of red
After scaring Mark into possibly soiling his underwear (we should get him some adult diapers next time), we stayed up late celebrating and goofing around, enjoying the nice fireplace and rustic feeling. It's hard to beat sitting around a fireplace in a house in the winter mountains. When asked how he felt about the surprise, Mark said that since he was so sleepy, it took a bit of time to put together that he and Ewa had a big house that could fit several people, and that the rest of us were more people that might need a place to sleep. He also told Ewa that it would be great to bring a big group of friends back to that house because it was so big and homey. We were glad to grant his birthday wish. The next morning we made Mark go shopping for us and cook us breakfast (thanks Mark, happy birthday!), and a few of the guys went skiing. I met my PwC friend Aldona, and her daughter Lea for lunch. Lea is barely 2, and speaks better Polish than I do. Aldona thinks she was shy around me because she didn't understand the words coming out of my mouth. Even when I spoke Polish???? It was fun watching her play, refuse food, eat, play some more, and basically take an hour and a half to eat 20 bites of soup and barley.
One-legged tooth brushing
Aldona, Lea and something else
Later that afternoon we all went to a spa (in Białka) for some relaxing in the thermal baths. Sitting at the base of a ski mountain, the spa was amazing. The outdoor pools surrounded by snow and mountains were pretty romantic (again, sorry Mark for invading on your weekend!). They also had a really fast water slide, a wave pool, several indoor and outdoor pools, and some other things that kept us occupied (including a bar). I was having so much fun I didn't realize my body turned really splotchy and red from getting too hot. I had to take a break while everyone else finished up. After 2.5 hours, we got out (it cost me about $10 after the discount for my gym benefits card, which was great) and headed to town for dinner.
No spa pictures, but here we are at our post-spa dinner
Exciting night at the post-spa bar
At the spa entrance
We like these old Polish country style restaurants
It was a long day, and everyone was too tired for a night out, so we went to bed pretty early. After some shopping the next day, we got ready for the trip back. Along the way, I taught the guys the Cha Cha Slide in a gas station parking lot to get our blood flowing. A few cars came by to see what we were doing, honking and checking us out. I'm pretty sure they were jealous. Next time we'll try to make a flash mob.
Although the trip was a fun one, a part of me stayed in Zakopane. I had been wearing my purple "Hope" bracelet for the past several years, taking it off only to play basketball or if a doctor asked me to during a check-up. I got it when participating in the American Cancer Society Relay for Life (over 8 years ago)...but after I left the spa, I couldn't find it. I didn't take it off on purpose, so I guess it fell off somehow. Maybe it was finally time to grow up a bit and stop wearing plastic jewelry. If anyone is in Zakopane and finds something that looks like this, let me know. I've been feeling a bit naked without it lately.
 |
| I haven't lost Hope! |
In the end Mark enjoyed his birthday, and we all had a fun time. Thanks Ewa for setting it up, and for being such a great liar.
