It all started in the airport in Dublin. I turned the corner and there was this guy, that from afar, had the same facial shape, skin tone, and body structure as Brian. It was one of those things where you have to take a second look to know it is in fact not that person. There was also a spotting of someone resembling an old friend from school. Then, on the plane, one of the flight attendants looked just like Megan, and finally, I saw my brother in a German guy in Warsaw (from across the room in dim lighting). And, let’s not forget the Polish Lindsay Lohan strutting her stuff down the street. It is like I get all excited at first to see a familiar face, just to be let down (I don’t think that applies to Lindsay Lohan).
I started wondering why I was getting flashes of random people throughout my day, when (duh), it hit me – I’m in Europe where many Americans’ ancestors come from! When you’re in the States, everyone is mixed together from all over, meaning those prominent characteristics of a certain group aren’t so… prominent. But, here, it is easy to scan across the crowds and see those features, and for some reason, my mind is quickly pulling up any person it can think of back home that also displays them.
Well why is that?
The only answer I have is that I’m traveling alone, which can be no other than lonely at times. Sure, I wish I had a travel buddy – no doubt. I’m really just not used to being on my own just yet. I ended up buying a pay-as-you-go cell phone here in Poland (I can get another sim card in Kyrgyzstan) so my parents have another way to keep in touch. So far so good 
Speaking of being alone – I booked a private room in a hotel in Lublin, and since it was so cold, I spent most of my time in the room trying to keep myself entertained. I made a little video, which you can view here, of my evening in. Sometimes I don’t understand why I do what I do… but at least it makes me laugh!
Poland Hotel Boredom from Brooke Schoenman on Vimeo.
I’m heading off to Krakow very early in the morning, so I need to get packed up and to bed. Bye!
Awwwwwww if I could I’d visit you!!!! So many places I want to go but I don’t have the money/time for a lot of it, plus I’m a little hesitant to visit places where english or french isn’t the native language…
I wish you could come, too! Oh, I meant to add that not speaking Polish was another reason why I felt alone… try getting to a train station at 5 in the morning without speaking the same language! But, I’m in Krakow now and it is full of English speakers. yay
you must be really missing home to start seeing familiar faces already.
but you love what you’re doing and we thank you for sharing.