Moving there . What about reality .

Nothing hiding story .

 

It was  a hot ,sunny ,summer day . It could be perfect to go to the beach but instead we were on the bus station waiting for a bus to London. All my possession must  be fitted in this  25 kilos bag which i have got from my oldest brother .Ticket also bought me this crazy friend who desperately wanted go and live there.Some money i have saved,some i have got from my youngest brother. 

My friend from the business organization came over to see me off with tears . That's how we left  and started our journey with hope for a better future on this promising land . We didn't have anything ; non a good amount of money in packet , no good English level ,no jobs ,no any accommodation . Remember .They broke up so we could not count on Tony . 

Everything we just put into God's hands as we didn't have any idea any clue how we gonna figure out our new lives over there. 

We put everything on the table without having any aces in hole . It was irresponsible .

But it worked out anyway I don't think that story like this could happen actually .

But it was a long journey  before ,but  we wanted to achieve  what we were dreaming of. I have received a many congratulations and words of admiration  afterwords but it wasn't my goal .I just wanted to do  something inspirational and show what is possible to do if we really want change our future as past is never defining our future .

So we got to the bus and looked up on on our city .

I was counting to see more on the way but highway and petrol stations were only on our horizon . We were informed where we actually got during breaks for toilet which we actually had over the bush beside. It was a good way to save some money although 50 cents it has been a serious spending  at this particular moment . 

Victoria Station in London was welcoming us in the next afternoon . We got about five of waiting  hours for another bus to Cork . Because we had baggage it was no  possible walk for a  longer distance . I was clever enough to find a toilet but Jola not .

From that moment i started realize meaning of culture shock . It seemed so strange for me when i saw black man .

After a five hours of waiting we got into next bus .It was no any service in Polish language anymore . I felt uncomfortable and i realized how huge challenge was waiting for me . We had a second fairy cruise what was kind of attraction and grand possibility for having some sleep on the couch . It was so strange to hear kids chatting in English . So after another night in travel finally we got out in Waterford  

It was exactly the 10th of August 2004 when when we set out feet on this green island full of hope . Local bus station was welcoming  us exactly at 9.30 in the morning . I will never forget this date which opened a new chapter of  my life .

It has been probably the most challenging time which i consider as a big trial ,which  has shaped me forever. 

Very soon i have learnt that .

Everything is possible .

 

and that 

 

Everything is different..... 

 

I will write soon how i got it .This story must be completed .......

 

We bought tickets to Cork but Jola wanted get out in Waterford perhaps she liked check up Her man in Ballymacarbry  .This is a village close to Clonmel .Co.Tipperrary .

Obviously it was to much for a bus . So let's imagine two Polish blonde beauty stopping cars on the road .Yes . I know what  You are thinking about . Yes .It was crazy!  yes .It was like welcoming robbery .Later i heard that were some awful incidents on the roads which happened during a hitchhike . Four cars brought us to sweet Ballymacarbry . He was away as she knew that  before .

His parents asked Her to leave . So we caught up another car and went to Clonmel . I will never forget when we stopped on the bench beside a car park .Jola went  look for  any place where we could eventually stay over night . I was looking after our luggage.I decided deeply in my heart sing even it was not any future before me  even if at that moment i saw perspective of  becoming homeless  in  this beautiful  country . Flowers were blossoming  such beautifully . It touched my heart. I wanted stay in.

And something happen what i could not ever expect . I saw car arriving . He stopped and opened the door . I thought that it was a ghost .But no .It was Anthony returned from  somewhere in England . We were rescued for some nearest time . His sister has been hosting us for another few days . We were enjoying lovely country side what was just  like wasting  a time for me in fact i needed take an action . So after boring walks around nearby area we moved to Clonmel to fix our nearest future and start everything just from the beginning.

So there we go to the story how Polish lads took over the Islands . 

 

 

 

So how was it fight ? Just stay here .

 

How Polish lads were taking over Islands .

 

 

So we got there.First days were so boring. We went to Waterford by hitchhike eventually .

But we needed face off reality after a few days of not doing anything what was making me nervous . I needed take an action . But it was nothing to do about in this lovely cottage . Jola decided accommodate us in Clonmel .

So we left for there .She has found a room.I don't have any idea how she has done it because reference letter from work place and deposit were requested.But she has done with anyway . I moved there illegally . I rented  my room after another three weeks .

It was  a very challenging time in my life but i will always memorize it  in kind of sentimental way . 

Jola didn't like look for a job together . She was proving that it was just miserable idea walk around the town in two. So i has got alone into this trial . This is a truth that people show their real faces under  the extreme.

I haven't clue who she really is for seven years .So i had face my lonely fight  were all  my attribute was c v well prepared thanks to my friend from club . We were also working toward my poor English . However it was not enough and my English was on very basic level .So i just knew how to say ,,I'm looking for a job and '' ,,May i speak with manager '' I was putting smart face on me and trying understand what was an answer . 

Do You think so that if we came earlier it was easier . I must notice that i haven't seen any,,Welcome in Ireland'' banner .It was not sort of good jobs available in town like Clonmel were mostly family businesses  and local close community.

In fact it was not only movement to another country but also from the city to town with different mentality .This is  such a lovely area surrounded by mountains as is located in valley with picturesque landscapes but so boring for a longer . But i have stayed there for another three years . 

 

So i walked alone around Clonmel looking for any job . Likely one local baker had mercy of me perhaps i looked  at Him  miserably. He let me work in His bakery for a two weeks when one Polish guy was on holidays. I saw bakery first time in my life. My English was really on so basic level . And this Polish guy went on holidays . I had nobody who could help translate and show me what to do . Likely my boss knew how to speak with a clear accent called neutral .Reason was that He has lived in America and Australia . Quickly i have found that  those who have lived abroad were more friendly for us who just arrived . So basically He simple showed me what to do . One Polish girl who worked in B$B said that here we will learn everything .And she was right . As much it was difficult and challenging time it shaped me for a better.It was great trial and experience which i would recommend everyone but not for a longer then one year because it effects mental health badly when You stay abroad for a longer  than one year.We have managed  in everyone's  own way .They got back together and were meeting some days . I went under baker protection . Well but she was so sorry that after work as accountant for seven years she had start her carrier as housekeeper in hotel .I have heard a legends about hotel Minellla and John Narrow . I was lucky get a job in Super Value supermarket .Jola wasn't content .  Polish girls who were living in flat opposite to our told her about vacancy there but she didn't share this information with me . But she went to my boss ask for a job . So pity . Jola began to be so unhappy and spread her unhappiness on me and trying put me down but finally i was stronger. 

 

My first Christmas in Ireland .

 

 

When we live abroad we try to manage and run away from depression in so many ways. Night life became so helpful in this matter. I asked one polish man who i met in pub ,, What are we  doing over here ?''  ,, We have a fun right now '' He replied .

Quite correct answer . After when we went over difficult times i slowly was began adopt . I was clever enough to register in Social office for PPS nb  and open bank account .Well .You would laugh with me when You could see me withdrawing  cash from ATM. Well i didn't really feel like i need bank account with my miserable income .

I have never used bank machine before and then i must learn how operate with English menu . So it was just amazing when i stood on the front with dictionary trying translate the words on . 

 

And after one month finally i have got my address! Decision about buying a phone took me another few months . I still was not sure that  i want to stay in Ireland . I can't count all those hard moments when i just wanted pack up and leave .

My life over there was turning into nice but boring stuff as it was not that much to do in this lovely and small town . 

Lonely walks around and public library became my routine . I discovered swimming pool later . 

 

Jola was complaining on her life every single evening when she was back home ...Oh dear .Do i really need work so hard .I have pain in my back'' . It was hard for her  to accept this relegation from job as accountant . I had a job in  the office .Even my dressing style has been changed but i was lucky enough that i didn't have to work under my qualifications . I was recommended so i felt the whole  responsibility to do my the best . Fortunately  i had experience in work in supermarket otherwise i could not manage with my duties around . I  knew how to show eggs just perfectly .  i was calling manager whenever any customer had queries . I was a first foreigner whom boss decided hire. i was an experiment. He employed another Polish girl and from Lithuania after one month .We came along and changed work standards around . i always hear a good opinion about Poles as a workers . 

i was good enough to get  two weeks off. It wasn't a clever idea and i think made too soon but despite what i was holding that my foot will never, ever stand on the Polish land i simply was missing people over there . I thought that Christmas time gonna be too busy to do it so . I was wrong and it made my Christmas time awful . 

But before i had a time of glory in Poland where i was welcomed as a hero . 

Before  i went to work in the flood . It was typical for Clonmel and i lived beside the Shannon river. My apartment was on the third floor . It was too high to get water over there . But street went  under water including cars . Fire man helped me across the street. He had to carry me on His  back . I had flight off another morning.  So i went to work  first and i wasn't sure whatever i gonna get home after and bring my luggage with me . I decide take empty suitcase in fact i still  had full wardrobe in our family house in Poland . All what i have found interesting to bring over it was tea .Town like Clonmel don't have that much to offer .We even still didn't have polish grocery shop and mass held  in Polish. Dublin was more interesting and it became my goal to move over there . 

But actually i got in the last bus to Dublin at 5.30 afternoon started my trip to Poland .  Jola wanted assist me as it was my first flight in my life. 

It was so great when it became my routine.

 

Let's share more later .........

 

We arrived do Dublin and after some time spent  in the city just  by walking around the city center we moved to the airport where we have stayed over night .Maybe living out of Dublin is cheaper but for sure city is more handy for travelling . After night on airport i flow to Warsaw perhaps we didn't have direct flights to Poznan that time  yet. I had take  a train from Warsaw to Poznan so i  arrived there next afternoon . It was Halloween   weekend .I got idea come for All Saints.I got into party straight on from train. And i was welcomed as a hero .  One of my  acquaintance said that he erased me from a list  who are still alive. He said that i should give an interview to radio station when i told them my story . Maybe for this  a reason I'm writing it now. You can see whole this beauty of this lovely country  after just a few months abroad. You can appreciate lovely taste of polish apples. And  I must admit that  taste of bread in Poland is just absolutely unique like no anywhere in the whole a World . Also ham and especially sausages are the number one . I always miss have our Polish  rolls for breakfast .Bakery improved a lot after some time thanks to Lidl  company , but it was such poor when i arrived . It was just only one French Cuisine .  But excuse me i just don't like toilet paper in Poland .Is probably cheaper but so hard . I have got used to soft in Ireland . We were joking with Jola that's probably the best thing to  bring over from Poland on way  back to Ireland . 

Wow . I  would see Poland from a different perspective when i have got some money . By the way .It wasn't clever of me to spent most whole my savings and i took this break too early . But reason was that i was missing everybody there . Yeah .  As much i was missing  polish food too .And  it was a great feeling to have at least some money and do grocery shopping  without any worries and  also was nice to buy a new clothes after whole life of second hand fashion . I set my new rule about it . After season sale very welcome but no more second hand clothes in my life.  No anymore . So literally i quit buying clothes in lovely charity shops although they are such popular and having a lots of amateurs. I think era of hunting of wanders over there is gone. For me yes .

 

But all goodness must be ended finally. So after a nice time in my poor hometown i returned to my new reality . It was so weird to go to  the place where i have spend whole my childhood and youth for holidays now ;move from the city to town and from family house to renting . It was a massive change and shock in fact from the beginning but i was slowly adopting . A  whole this process wasn't easy for me . My social life was limited to some few events when we went out with people from work . Communication was still limited too. I was trying increase my poor vocabulary by self teaching .My baggage was limited to 25 kilos only but a big dictionary and some lessons printed down from BBC site were essential to take . I also brought Norman 's Davise historical books what helped me a lot to make my lonely time over there. I liked sit in the library and read whatever i just put my eye on . It was no matter how much i was understanding from . It was practice . I felt like a child . It was working from this level . I even heard advice from one friend of mine that is a good idea start from the books for children . For a first few months i haven't anybody for a chat neither in Polish or English . And then we were approaching my first Christmas in Ireland . The worst in whole my life 

Things around became be rough . Atmosphere at home was awful as i began keep myself in an protective border afraid of any interaction . I preferred when she was not at home .She could not manage with  this fact,so started against me and fight . Telly which she brought was a source of arguments so i bought my own . She was afraid to be charged for tv licence . My was hidden in bedroom . Finally Jola decided to destroy everything .After a serious argument we didn't chat anymore . 

I didn't like accept reunion after that . She spent her Christmas with friend from work place . I stayed alone . 

It also was difficult time at work . I was expecting a busy time .But it was not busy for me as my hours were cut off . So from a full time  it went to part time only what wasn't  a good trend and  bright perspective for me at this place . I would rather go to Poland and spend my Christmas there .

But actually i have stayed in Clonmel for my first Christmas in Ireland . I haven't clue that i will spend so many more here . This is my wish. I pray that finally will  be my last with Dunnes Stores and in Ireland every season .And there we are .I'm still here on my checkout helping make Christmas for everyone when me is just disaster .Well.Maybe i exaggerate but it has been never magical and wonderful as we all wish for me. Al least is fine . My aim is just survive . I'm lucky if i don't have spend this time alone. 

But this first was . My process of adopting to a new life went kind of slowly . I still could hear  complains from Jola about how terrible these people are ;without any values and such  materialistic and narrow thinking as well. All what I need was just to have a chat,even if it was just something simple like a weather;whatever just talk about anything and practice English . This advice i have got and follow it  was wise thing to do.

But anyway .I wasn't lucky that time . I sent  so many Christmas cards to Poland but i just received only a few from them what made me so upset. Ok . Let me admit .I was crying . I was reading letter from friend from club in Poland where i have been involved  for a long years .I have got so great support from them .I was their hero . Remember . This glory went away after a long years unfortunately . Well . What is a reason .Who cares? It really doesn't mater really for me . Life is about changes and friends are just for a season such often .Or maybe they got tired of my absence . During this first  special season abroad for me i received 12 cards . One was parcel with some instant barszcz and sweets from my aunt . They were coming along still until Valentines Day . That's what can happen when You send by standard post . By this time i have learnt that is more safe send as priority . 

During my first Christmas Day in Ireland i was only looking up this very little snow falling which was magical as i always say that we mostly are having rainy and windy Christmas and white is just what we can dream of. It was only one like but it was  exception . Likely everything has turned in a better way for me in just  in a  few months  time . It was difficult time but by it made me changed forever as i have found and learnt a lot about myself during this challenging time. 

 

 

 

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