vicavag

a new day

2008-11-05T12:31:40Z

… I stirred from sleep this morning, motivated more by thirst caused by the stifling warmth of our Krakow apartment than by a need to get an update on the U.S. election. But after a satisfying drink from the water bottle beside my bed, I tapped a key on the computer and woke it up. [...]

puddles

2008-07-23T14:43:26Z

Deszcz. Polish for “rain.” If you don’t speak consonants, say “desh” and add a little soft “ch” that trails off at the end. It’s like the cycle of a shower. Heavy, then steady, then soft at the end, so to speak. I sit here in the dark of my fifth floor flat with the French (or [...]

“my” great idea

2008-07-18T13:18:00Z

“You can’t drink the water,” she said. “Why not. Krakow’s a modern city?” I said. “The water isn’t good,” my soon to be sister-in-law said. “There’s a bottle there for drinking.” “It’s almost empty,” I said staring at the 1.5 liter bottle. That’s about my half-day ration. In Poland, that could last for three days I was told. [...]