It has been over a month since I have been here in Poznan and it's still really hard to believe. Things are going pretty well. Real dental classes start this coming Monday and i am looking forward to being busy again. I have had some trouble with the deans office concerning my exemptions for year 1 of the program but we are currently looking into it and I have a meeting this Monday to figure it out. I have been going to the gym quite a bit and finished the first part of my polish class this past Thursday. I have also been trying some different foods at the grocery store. I have become a lot more bold in my eating habits since moving here and having, I realized its time to expand my horizons and try some new things.....The experiment has been questionable at best thus far.
I want to dedicate this post to the major differences I have noticed between Poland and Canada since being here. For those that read this blog and have been here in Poland longer than I have, please correct me of inaccuracies and feel free to add to my list.
1. The first and most salient difference that has affected me the most has been the driving habits. People here in Poznan drive like they are late for their daughters wedding. Walking to class I have almost been hit like 3 or 4 times, while I was in a cross walk. Its just ridiculous how reckless they drive. People in Canada drive with courtesy and pedestrians have the right of way at all times. I love and appreciate Canada so much more because of this.
2. The food. Maybe it is because I'm not used to the food here and I have a bias toward Canadian food but I really dislike a lot of the food here. Keep in mind I have discovered a lot of really good new foods here, but for the most part I dislike it here. The best example I can give is a Twix bar (Chocolate with caramel and cookie inside, no not coconut). One of my favorite chocolate bars in Canada and when I came to Poznan and saw they sold them I was overjoyed. I got home and had one, it was awful. It tasted more salty and the chocolate tasted of a lesser quality. Its tough to explain but it just wasn't the same rich goodness as in Canada :).
3. The people. This is probably me being captain obvious but the people are polar opposite. People here in Poznan rarely say excuse me (przepraszam). If I'm walking on the sidewalk (the sidewalks are only narrow) people will take up the middle of the path making it almost impossible to pass those slow walking people (arrrg thats my pet peave, slow walkers). Most people here do speak enough English to get by but if you find someone who doesn't speak any English I've noticed that they don't even try to talk to you. Like i go up to most people and say "English?" and like I said most of the time I get a positive answer but if the person doesn't speak English they say "No" and turn away or not help you at all. Did anyone pick up on the fact that in this example I just gave the person who says they cannot speak English actually responds in English with "No"? A lot of times people do speak English but they just say they don't. This may be because they feel their English is poor and are self conscious to speak, but it also may be because they just don't want to bother helping you. I haven't decided if i should attribute the experience to the latter or the former.
4. Bars/ Clubs. Poland is wayyyyyyyyyyyyy better than Canada in this department. There is essentially no closing time for bars or clubs here. If people are still dancing and the place is busy it stays open. I have heard some people staying out till 6 in the morning. I obviously am incapable of staying out that late and drinking but my point is that the option is there if I want it.
5. Stores operating hours. Poland again wins in this department. Places are always open here it seems. On Sundays malls are open till 9 as well as grocery stores. It is really much more convenient here I find.
6. Prices of things. This one gets kind of confusing. A lot of things are cheaper here in Poland but certain products are much more expensive here. For example, an iphone here costs about $900 Canadian dollars, but a mens tailored suit (brand name) is only ~$150.00. Services are cheaper here as well. A good haircut is only 8-9 dollars and cabs (if the driver isn't ripping you off) are cheaper.
I am sure there is more and I'm missing things but these are the ones that stand out for sure.
I am really starting to miss home but I'm hanging in there. Miss you Mom, Dad, Lauren and Pat more than you guys can imagine.
Wish me luck for starting classes tomorrow and stay tuned to this blog because I am going to try and start being more creative, I'm thinking next week I might do a top 10 or something. Anyway bye for now. Sending Love to my family!
P.S. Sorry I have no good pictures this week. If some come along I will post them I promise. Here is one pic from a club I went to last night. It is awesome! Probably my favorite club so far in Poznan, Blueberry Bar:
