The greeting committee

Father and 3 sons listen to Alexsandra introduce me to them. I show the Mozdzen t-shirt I am wearing. The search for where the Mozdzens may have been in Piatkowizna is being earnestly approached. The whole family participates in true Kurpie fashion.

Meeting locals of Piatkowizna: 30 July 2010.

Meeting locals of Piatkowizna: 30 July 2010.

We stopped at the sign telling us we were entering Piatkowizna. I had my picture taken standing under the sign to prove I had gotten to my roots, Piotr Mozdzen's home village; the place where he had been born, grew up, and became a young man.

Across the road from the sign, a small farm is located. On a power line pole, as is the case in many places in Poland, a stork's nest was perched with 3 storks: the mother, father and youngster. I took some pictures; turned to the farm house admiring the many flowers on the front steps and in the garden.

Our genealogist, meanwhile went to the back of the house to a barn where some men were loading a cow to be transported on a small trailer pulled by a tractor to somewhere. She said to me: "Time to search for Mozdzens." She proceeded up to the men and started a conversation in Polish. By this part of the trip I had come to understand enough that I knew Alexsandra was speaking of me and what I was seeking. The conversation quickly brought much of the family: young boys and girls, dogs and cats, and all who were working in the barns and fields. Everyone seemed to have some thoughts; but no one knew for sure. They were all too young!

See part 2 in next entry.
Dziadzio Mozdzen

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The front of Dziadzio & Babci's farm home facing the road

The flowers are everywhere and the hand made window lace in every window is exquisite. Imagine the care and love in doing this. A Kurpie tradition.

They have returned every year for over 50 years!

Poland's famous storks in Piatkowizna

Piatkowizna (Pee-un-t-koff-eez-nah) My guide worked on my pronouncement for 3 days!!

Down that road is where Piotr lived and first daughter Bronislawa was born.

Correction & some thoughts as we get ready to leave Poland

The Kurpie village we visited is setup as one would be for about 1900, not 1920.

As we traveled these past couple of days visiting where the Mozdzens came from, because Nona and I had a private tour at that point, we had an opportunity to have an extended conversation with our guide about many things Polish and Poland: what are homes like now; weddings; having babies; Polish cooking; the use of fruit in Polish cooking, mushroom picking; the drive by Poles for education; why there are so many small businesses; healthcare in Poland; city life vs rural living; Polish fitness centers; changes Polish diets; care of elderly; retirement in Poland; what the schools are like; why the Poles have been very successful in the move from Communism to Capitalism; who are the Poles we think of when we think of Poland and why; Poland's vacation areas; Warsaw, the city that does not sleep; construction of everything everywhere; the Jewish questions; THE Polish Rising 1944; life under Communism vs now; the unity of the Poles in purpose and as a nation; the great significance of Pope John Paul II; as seen in the cementaries, the importance of of remembering and honoring your ancesters; the role of the Catholic Church in Polish history and now; how the Poles, like the Jews, are determined to not ever allow themselves to be occupied again; the feeling of everything on the move in Poland, NO recession here; Katyn; and more.

I hope I can convey my thoughts and what we have seen. It has been an awesome experience. I now even more stand humbled by those who came before.

Will be writing notes as Nona and I travel home and selecting photos to post. Will add to this blog in Chicago/Boston.

Dzienkuja, Poland. We shall return and soon!!
Dziadzio Mozdzen and Nona

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