Nov 21, 20202 min read

August 29, 2013 Pt.2 - Poland 2013

Updated: Mar 23, 2022

I landed in Gdansk on a double propeller plane in the clouds and drizzle. It smelled so fresh and humid stepping onto the tarmac.

I surprised myself by being pretty emotional coming off the plane, knowing my life is about to change forever. I truly can't explain it, but I felt "homesick" for this place though I have never been here before.

When I finally put my feet on the ground, I sensed that I had come full circle for my family, as though I had brought my Grampa's spirit back to his homeland. Returning home!

The people I met in the airport were so friendly and helpful even with my broken Polish requests for directions.

Eventually, I found a taxi and headed into Gdansk in the blue-black light of late evening, over bridges lit up so beautifully which reflected in the water as the taxi passed over, driving by so much that was new, but felt familiar somehow.

I wondered what my Grampa would recognize had he been alive and able to see this place, which he had left so long ago in 1926. From all of the historical sites I caught a

glimpse of, I am certain he would know where he was immediately. The stories he would have been able to tell!

In the canal we passed by, I even saw a galleon across the way which was tethered to the dock. It seemed as though a pirate ship had made land. How much history must have happened here!?! It made me wonder and imagine how it must have been in ages past!

GALLEON PIRATE SHIP ON THE MOTŁAWA RIVER IN GDANSK

I was dropped off at my hotel, which is actually a dormitory of a music school with a rich history.

I learned from the hotel’s website, that this place was “originally erected as a Prussian military barracks from 1863 to 1873”.

The barracks were in operation until 1920 when the demilitarization of Danzig took place under the Treaty of Versailles.

Gdansk was known as the Free City Of Danzig from 1920 to 1939.

An interesting fact from the website also stated that, “in 1929, the artillery barracks were transformed into a manufacturing centre to make the American car models: Essexes and Hudsons”, which were popular in that day.

This building was also the Royal High School, and is now home to the Academy of Music.

I was pleasantly surprised by the choice I made over the internet. The room was smaller than expected, but for my visit I won't be staying in my room for long.