S.

I have realized it was my 7th time I have stepped on Polish land. I have spent there time from several hours (going through Poland home to Belarus) to more than a month (when I was doing my CEED in Cracow in winter 2002)

I have been in Warsaw, Katowice, Lodz, Cracow, many times on the railway station in Bialystok :)

I understand most of what people say and write, and can explain myself with basic Polish (I think if I spend more time, several months for example - I'd be speaking pretty well polish even without taking the courses, as our languages are very similar)

I have a couple of very good Polish friends, some of my best. I know several facts from the history, as Belarus has much in common in the past, we even were one state at some point. Familiar with the modern life of Poland as well, I even know who are some people in politics :) All because of my conversations with my friends - they are the best sources of interest for the country! (put aside my arguments with Polish friends about role of Russia for their country, I just can't stop myself from arguing that Russia is a good country, and will never stop I think :)

Every time I hear this "pshzh" language, I smile and feel comfortable. Hehe being blue-eyed blond I think I can be considered Polish myself :) I even think about living in Poland for longer some time… However this is a subject of too far future which too early to predict with my style of living :)

All of this is to conclude - I like the country and feel close to it.
Czesc Polska :)