Cameesa - The Blog

I arrived in Poland safely and am actually typing this as I sit in my grandparent’s home.  I was absolutely stunned when I found out that they have Internet.  Poland has come a long way since I was here six years ago.  On our drive from Warsaw to Dabrowa Bialostocka, we passed by a green picket fence, and in large, white, bubble letters the sign on the fence read ‘Polish Army,’ I chuckled and thought ‘good luck guys’.

On a more serious note, my grandfather died before I flew out of Chicago and his funeral was held the day after I arrived.  I have very quickly learned that many Polish traditions are beautiful and I am very proud to be 100% Polish.

My grandfather, Jan Zarzecki, was 96 years old when he died on April 14th, 2009.  He was a father to 3 girls and 2 boys, and grandfather to 14 grandchildren (of which 11 were male.)

As he was dying, he insisted that after his funeral we celebrate and party.  He said “I want Vodka on all the tables, and dancing throughout the night.”  A Polish novelist, who served in World War II, and lived to tell many stories of his near-death experiences.

One of the many Polish traditions: my grandfather laid in the casket, in our living room, until the time of his funeral.  Two purple flags were placed on the house fence to notify others that a close one has passed.  Throughout the day, many village members arrived to pay their respects with flowers and with prayers.

The day of the funeral, we walked with the casket, from our home to the church.  The minute we stepped onto the street of Dabrowa, the church bells began to rang.  As we walked, family members joined at the hands and time stood still.  It was truly an amazing and eye-opening ceremony, as walked down the street, the entire village stopped what it was doing.  During the burial I had realized that my grandfather created everything that I was looking at: my parents, my aunts, my uncles, and my cousins all existed because of him.  He was one of the many reasons that I existed in this world.

Rest in peace, Jan Zarzecki, April 14th 2009.

T-Shirt Sketchbooks by Burak Kaynak via surfstation

As some of you may have heard, I am leaving to Poland on April 14th on a one-way flight.  My 97 year-old grandfather is not doing too well, and we will be visiting him in Dabrowa-Bialostocka, Poland.

After my trip to Poland, I plan to travel across Europe and spread the word about Cameesa.  I will blog about my experiences.

One of my friends asked me “why don’t you just write about your personal travels in your personal blog instead of the Cameesa blog?”  And I said, “cause I’m a pimp and I do what I want”  :)  Just kidding.  No, but seriously, if you guys have recommendations of what i should do and how I should promote overseas then let me know.

p.s. If you live in Europe and want me to visit you just shoot me an e-mail at kamil@cameesa.com and let me know where you live.

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I can’t remember where I read this but it was very inspiring to me:

Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back, always ineffectiveness, concerning all acts of initiative (and creation). There is one elementary truth the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then Providence moves too. All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one’s favour all manner of unforseen incidents and meetings and material assistance which no man could have dreamed would have come his way. Whatever you can do or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it. Begin now.