Homemade Ketchup

It’s been surprisingly hectic since Philip left. For one, I don’t have the luxuries we had when we were in full production mode- like, Michal (or Marta) at my side to translate, manage the schedule, help carry equipment, or especially, drive. These days, it’s just me. In the morning, I pack everything for the day on my back, and then, I start walking. We’ve got a long list of B-Roll* and there’s a hell of a lot of area to cover in this city… Which makes the sweltering heat that much worse; I’m literally dripping by the time lunch rolls around. So, needless to say, I don’t cart around the laptop when I don’t have to. And when I don’t have the laptop, I can’t get on the internet during lunch… and when I can’t get internet during lunch, I kinda miss my chance for the day. So here’s the update…

Score one more for Couch Surfer. When I logged-in to leave a reference for my London hosts, my facebook-like profile page updated to indicate my current location… and all of a sudden, I got a message from a girl named Agnes. I wasn’t scheduled to surf her couch or anything, she just wanted to say hi and welcome me to her fair city of Łódź … maybe grab a drink or something.

I know what you’re thinking- is she a stalker-creep? …or is she actually the friendliest person of all time? Well, as a creep myself, I had nothing to lose.

And boy did it pay off. She’s awesome. Like, super awesome. Another fun person to hang out with in Łódź . And she’s got the hookup like you wouldn’t believe…

“…You don’t have a cell phone…? I have an extra one you can use.”
“…Oh, you need a bike…? You should borrow mine.”
“…Wait, you’re going to (insert European city)? I’ll call my friend and see if you can stay at their flat.”

I know, too good to be true, right?

Aside from lending out her bike and cell phone, Agnes introduced me to the world of Polish milk bars. These tiny restaurants were popular during the communism days serving up authentic home cooked Polish food dirt-cheap. Delicious. So delicious, we went two days in a row. I left it up to Agnes to order me something from the handwritten menu that changes almost daily based on what ingredients the old ladies have in the kitchen. And so far, she’s two for two.

Just as I reached an all-time high in my Łódź friend-count, I had to leave them all to go to Warsaw. Since many of our interviews reference the capital city, I needed to grab a few shots. So I packed a small backpack and hopped the train for a 36-hour romp through the largest city Poland.

Traveling alone… Probably end up sleeping on a couch belonging to one of Agnes’s acquaintances… But come to find out, Łukasz’s roommate Bogumila (and technically my roommate during my stay in Łódź ) was on her way to Warsaw as well. Her family lives in a little neighborhood on the outskirts of town… and they have a spare bedroom. Score! Bogumila (AKA “Boogie”) took me all over town, had her mom whip up some extra home cookin’, and even gave me a great sax lesson. s-A-x. pervert.

Remember how I said Łukasz lives across from the prestigious Łódź Music Academy? Well, that’s where Boogie studies.

Anyway, my stay in Warsaw has been simply incredible. The city is amazing. If Łódź is Detroit, Warsaw is Chicago. And relaxing in someone’s home- you just can’t beat that. Boogie’s step-dad, aside from being an official judge in French wine competitions, is quite the musician himself, so we spent the evening drinking wine, listening to his recordings, and playing the piano. Seriously, I rarely get to touch a piano with such a warm sound. I don’t think I need to mention the food- Milk Bars are great, but to have real homecooking, you’ve gotta be in a home.

On my way back to Łódź now. I’d say I have to catch the train, but Agnes has hooked me up once again. She called a few hours ago, saying she’s got a friend driving to Łódź from Warsaw and he can give me a ride. Damn. There’s gotta be a catch, right? Polish people can’t possibly be this nice.


*B-roll: the footage used to support the interview statements- like, when someone references the need for more public transportation, I’ll need footage of a crowded bus stop or a traffic jam.