poland celebrated her independence today. november 11, 1918, has been chosen as the date to celebrate - the end of world war I, and the re-birth of independent poland after 123 years of russian, german, and austrian occupation. but never mind history right now.a national holiday, today happened to be the only chance for me to visit with some friends and family. as i traveled through town, looking at flags fluttering everywhere, i thought with some regret of the celebrations i was missing. add a little irritation for running late, and getting stuck in traffic did not help my spirits... traffic on a national holiday? we had to let pass hundreds of people marching - not in a parade, but to manifest their nationalistic attitude and reach back to pre-world war II extreme rightist traditions. not something most poles like to brag about, as far as our history goes. that didn't make me happy, either. then i thought: it's independence day. people are taking their liberty and speaking out what they think is right. and i am free to disagree with them. i live in a free country. suddenly i was just so thankful for this independence. and i didn't even have to go anywhere to celebrate. just sitting there on that bus, basking in this freedom, was total celebration.
