Arrival in Lublin

Thankfully we were greeted on the platform by our real estate agent and the head of my department (Prof. Marek Pietras).  Our baggage and family fit in their two cars and we arrived at our apartment in short order.  We were surprised to be greeted by the family that owned the apartment (mom, dad and daughter - Julia age 7). They live in the apartment below and rent out the one we will be in.   We sat briefly and talked with Marek translating.  The father spoke rough but understandable English and started showing David the new TV system and other things about the apartment.  Marek offered to show me around Lublin briefly.  We walked around the block and identified several local grocery markets.  He took me by a local bakery and bought our family 3 small cakes as a welcome gift (yum!).  Then we drove over to the kids school, past the local equivalent of Walmart (Real), and to the University.  He showed me the department building and a classroom (well equipped), then we walked through the Old Town where he basically indicated that every restaurant is very good.  He shared a lot of the local history with me as we passed various historic points.  The independent Polish govn't that was formed in 1918 first met in Lublin in the largest classroom that the department uses.  We picked up a map and then he brought me back to the apartment (where David was STILL getting the full tour!) -Carolyn