Aggy's wandering through enchanted Europe

"We usually swim in this lake during summer," informed my friend.

That day was gloomy and chilly so there was no way we could swim but by the way my friend's eyes light up when he explained the place, I could only be excited to see the lake. As we arrived, I was mesmerized by the place. The calm lake was surrounded by lush trees and the water was crystal clear that I could see little fishes swimming lazily. I took my sandals off and dipped my bare feet into the cool water.

Only 16 hours earlier, I arrived in Poznan for the first time. Instead of feeling excited for my first visit in Poland, I was worried and scared. I was going to attend my friend's sister wedding party, and I had no idea what to expect. I felt nervous, worried that I would drown in the waves of Polish-speaking people. Moreover, I was terrified that they would ignore me. I chuckled a little as I remembered my feelings, I had no idea why I occupied myself with such negative thoughts for I danced, ate and drank with strangers whom with open arms smiled back, danced back, ate and drank with me as if they had known me for a long time.

My worry came back during breakfast the next morning, but they surprised me with their smile, pointing towards the food on the table which I took as a signal to have a big, hearty, Polish breakfast. The two recently bonded families shared jokes and conversations. I felt tingles and warmth in my heart as I ate my breakfast realizing that even when weddings in Poland and Indonesia were totally different, there was still a similar aspect, respect for family.

After breakfast, our next destination was my friend's summer house. The parents of my friend, along with his uncle and aunt, greeted us as we entered the house. I admired their simple wooden house while shivering a little from the chilly Polish summer. Without wasting a second, my friend's father took me by the arm as he explained excitedly in Polish his mushroom-hunting hobby, while the mother quickly ran towards one of the room to grab a warm jumper for me. I did not feel like a stranger anymore.

The lake near their summer house didn't have a name. Perhaps it was off beaten, no one was really there. At this unknown, gorgeous lake, I felt lucky, I still feel lucky, that this group of Polish family welcomed me, dared to share their most intimate moments with me and even opened up their home for me to peek in and be involved in their daily life. For that, Poland will forever have a piece of my heart.