Spending Time with Mum 🇩🇪🇨🇿🇵🇱🇪🇺

01/12/18 05:01

Winter 2017: A Time of Reflection and Exploration with Mum

The beginning of winter 2017 was a particularly poignant time for me and Mum. Dad had just passed away after a long illness, and we found solace in spending time together, remembering him, and simply being there for each other. After landing in Warsaw, I took a train to Nowy Sącz, where I spent time with Mum, sharing our memories and supporting one another through the difficult days.

In an effort to lift our spirits, we decided to travel and revisit places that held special meaning for Mum. Our journey took us to western Poland, to Jelenia Góra, a picturesque town in the Lower Silesian region, where some of Mum’s relatives used to live. The town, with its beautifully preserved medieval market square and colourful Baroque buildings, offered us a wonderful opportunity to explore its rich history and cultural heritage. Walking through the charming streets, we visited sites that held sentimental value for Mum, reminiscing about family stories and connections that spanned generations.

As part of our trip, we also ventured to Karpacz, a well-known resort town nestled in the Karkonosze Mountains. We stayed in a local spa hotel, which provided a much-needed respite and moments of relaxation amid the serene mountain landscape. Karpacz, with its fairytale-like charm, was enchanting, especially with the snow-covered rooftops and twinkling Christmas decorations. We took leisurely strolls through the town, admiring its traditional wooden architecture and cosy cafes offering warm drinks and local delicacies.

From Karpacz, we crossed the border into Czechia, visiting the quaint village of Malá Úpa. Tucked away in the mountains, the village was blanketed in snow, creating a postcard-perfect winter wonderland. Exploring its quiet streets, we were captivated by the scenic beauty and peaceful ambiance that offered a much-needed escape from the recent emotional turbulence in our lives.

A special highlight of our journey was a day trip to Dresden, Germany, where we had the chance to experience the city’s famous Christmas Market, the Striezelmarkt. As one of the oldest and most renowned Christmas markets in Europe, it did not disappoint. The festive atmosphere, filled with the aroma of mulled wine, gingerbread, and roasted almonds, was simply magical. Mum and I enjoyed browsing through the stalls adorned with handcrafted ornaments, candles, and traditional German wooden toys. We even brought back a few souvenirs as keepsakes of our time together.

The whole trip felt like a much-needed retreat. The snow-covered landscapes, with the majestic Karkonosze Mountains as our backdrop, added to the beauty of our travels, making every village and town we visited look like a scene from a winter fairytale.

Far too quickly, our time together came to an end. Before I knew it, I found myself back at Kraków Airport, taking a connecting flight to Warsaw before returning to Bangkok. As I left, I carried with me not only cherished memories of our travels but also the comforting thought that, despite our grief, we were able to find joy in exploring new places and celebrating the enduring love of family.

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Spending Time with Mum 🇩🇪🇨🇿🇵🇱🇪🇺