10 years ago, I was in New Zealand to take my Mum to a medical appointment in Wellington. This involved hiring a car and driving from our hometown of Hastings an overnight stay and drive back. This is a 600km round trip. About 100km from home we had pulled over for a break as we resumed the trip I saw a guy on the side of the road with his thumb out. I made a split second decision and I pulled over, I have never picked up a hitchhiker before. (Mum was freaking out) but I just couldn’t leave this guy standing there in the late afternoon.

We drove Rafal to the backpackers in Hastings. We had had such a joyful friendly conversation during that drive, I gave this very likeable English speaking Polish guy my details and said if you’re in Sydney contact me we can catchup!

By the time we got to Hastings Mum had forgiven me and we both felt like we had an amazing encounter.

Raf continued on his journey through New Zealand and I returned home to Sydney.

When Rafal came to Sydney, we caught up for a drink, he was staying in a hostel in the city, I asked him if he wanted to stay with Ron and I in Balmain. I can’t explain this but I felt such a connection, him so far from home I wanted to make sure he was ok and enjoy his time in Australia.

Raf stayed with us for 4 weeks. We all had a great time, he taught me some Polish cooking we went walking together and we drunk a lot of Vodka. We showed him some of the local sights and we talked a lot about his travels and our ways of life the similarities and differences.

Raf returned Poland, to his wife Anna and they now have a beautiful daughter Lily, they live with Anna’s parents Jola and Krzystof, in the town of Zabkowice Slaskie this is 70km south of Wroclaw the 3rd biggest town in Poland and capital of the Lower Silesia region.

We have kept in contact over the years and when I was planning my Camino in Spain I knew there was another trip I also needed to make in Europe.

My week with the family has been as important to me as my six weeks in Spain, I was made to feel very welcome and loved.

We visited local attractions including the town of Wroclaw famous for over 600 gnomes dotted around the city their history related to a political movement from the 70s and the Panoramic painting of a famous battle in Polish history, we took a guided tour of the city a young Polish guy giving such an informative visit I could have listened to him all day!

In Zabkowice we visited the 2nd leaning town in Europe and the Frankenstein museum. ( Mary Shelley was inspired by events that took place here during a plague, the town know as Frankenstein was renamed after the 2nd world war.

A road trip to Prague 200km away, a beautiful city, perfect for just wandering around and admiring its ancient and modern history.

A visit to the Ksiaz Castle which has a historic past but also a troubled recent one with the Nazi’s installing a network of tunnels and even a lift for fast retreat all with the use of forced labour from a nearby camp.

I also saw favourite local spots for walks and kayaking, went to Jola’s Name day celebration and Lily’s end of year gymnastics performance (which had a fabulous Barbie theme).

Also a visit to the local botanical gardens called Wojsławice Arboretum, so many cool climate native plants, geology also a special display of Peony Roses.

Oh my gosh the food was delicious, Jola and Anna and Anna’s Grandmother Zofia cooked the most fabulous food, adapting traditional recipes to vegetarian and vegan, there was seafood and meat dishes too, I was spoiled with a gastronomic tour of Poland!

Even with no Polish language we found a way to communicate, Anna and Raf speak English, Lily is learning, I read her the two books I had sent from Australia.

I was very sad to say goodbye on Sunday.

Distance makes seeing people a challenge, I bring home with me not only a Camino from Spain in my heart but an entire Polish family and a glimpse into a land that has been through so much and is so so beautiful.

Homeward bound!

I am about to start the last leg of my journey, I flew from Wroclaw, to Paris had a night near the Airport then flew to Dubai with a transfer of about an hour then to Singapore for a 10hour stop spent in a transit hotel where you can nap, shower and eat and watch butterflies.

Waiting to board a Qantas flight home surrounded by Australians.

Just like the add says, “Feels like Home”.

Xx