Christmas Away From Home

This was the first time I spent Christmas away from my immediate family. I say immediate because I got to spend it with my family here in Poland instead. I have to say it was a great time, lot's of food and singing and famiyl and food. And with webcams/skype/the internet-machine, the distance form Canada didn't even feel that far.

It all started with my last day at work where I tried to stir up some Christmas cheer and controversy by wearing my Santa hat all day. It's nice to see confused faces on a rainy wednesday morning when you ride a bus with a red hat and a smile on your face, as people try to avoid eye contact with you

After work I took the train to Katowice and arrived just in time to see how much food was being made ready for last night. Being an ex-chef, I helped out where I could. Since thursday the food preperation had been non-stop, with constant worries about finishing on time, or whether there'd be enough.

Let me present you with a quick timeline of the food situation:

Dec 22 - We have too much to do!
Dec 23 - We're covered in flour, there's not enough time or food!
Dec 24 - We might just make it, just 762 more perogies!
Dec 25 - Did we make too much food? Dzido, you have to eat all of this

Did I mention there was food? See that on the table, I ate all of that. That's just one portion. And thats after the two soups to start. And before the desserts and cakes and cookies. I literally fainted twice during eating but luckily Polish tradition allows for defibrilators to be present during religious holidays.

It was such a good meal. My grandma and aunt really did so much that when they come to Canada we're going to have to slay a moose or two to show them some good Canadian food.

Tomorrow I start my trek to Rome. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

Here's a photo session:

My uncle wearing an awesome tie and loving his present from Maja

Grandmother and grandson recovering from the meal

Family time!