I interviewed Paul from the Paul in Poland Travel Blog. We are both foreigners living in Poland, and we share a love for this unique and interesting place.
In this interview, I asked Paul some questions about his life in Poland and his inspiration for starting his travel blog.
Why Poland, and not somewhere else?
The first, and most obvious question—which I’m sure you get a lot (I do too)—is: Why did you choose Poland? Why not another country like Germany or France?
Yes, that is the question I get the most often! The answer is very simple. I visited Poland many years ago and absolutely loved my time here. It immediately struck me as a safe and beautiful country.
Then, many years later, when I thought about immigrating to Europe, Poland stood out as a realistic destination because it was reasonably easy to get a visa, and the immigration process was much cheaper than in other countries.
What Makes Poland a Great Place to Live and Travel?
Would you say you made the right choice moving to Poland, or do you wish you had chosen another country in Europe instead?
I haven’t regretted moving to Poland for a second. The first few months were a bit challenging, because I had to adjust to the weather and the language barrier, but after that, it was all smooth sailing.
I think that Poland is the best country in Europe because I have everything I want here. Sure, it’s not as wealthy as other countries just yet, but for me, things like safety and community are far more important.
That’s true. Poland is incredibly safe! I always tell people that it’s one of the best things about Poland. Besides the safety, can you name something else you love about Poland and maybe something you don’t like?
There are so many pros about living in Poland, like the affordable cost of living, delicious food, etc. One that really stands out to me, though, is the beautiful nature. I try to visit the Polish mountains every chance I get.
As far as things I don’t like are concerned, I would say the complicated tax system is one for sure. Taxes are generally quite high in Poland, especially for small business owners.
Misconceptions about Poland
Let’s talk about some misconceptions people have about Poland. What is something that you believed about Poland but turned out not to be true?
Well, a common misconception about Poland is that it is a poor country. As I’ve already mentioned, Poland is not as wealthy as some countries in Western Europe, but it is absolutely not a poor country. Poland’s GDP has grown faster than any other European country since joining the EU in 2004. What’s more, many Poles who once left Poland have started returning home.
I guess a funny misconception that I had was that I always thought Poland was in Eastern Europe. I’ve since learned that Poland is not in Eastern Europe, but in Central Europe (right in the middle of this great continent). People think that it’s in Eastern Europe because of pro-Soviet propaganda during the communist era that sought to align Poland more closely with Russia.
Hidden Gems in Poland
I’d like to ask you a few rapid-fire questions that I think would be useful for people who want to visit Poland. First, what’s your favorite hidden gem in Poland?
My favourite hidden gem in Poland has to be the Bieszczady Mountains. There is a certain atmosphere there that’s hard to explain. I love going there, hiking up the mountains, and swimming in Solina Lake. There’s also a number of UNESCO World Heritage sites in Bieszczady to visit.
My dream is to own a small wooden cabin somewhere close to the mountains, although there’s not much property available there since most of it is a national park. But yeah, it’s an amazing place.
Polish Culture and Food
What’s your favorite cultural tradition or celebration in Poland?
Definitely Easter! Poland is a Catholic country, and they take Christian holidays like Easter and Christmas very seriously. There are few things as special as an Easter Friday Mass in a Catholic Church in Poland.
It doesn’t matter where in the country you are—if you visit a church on this day, it will be completely full of people. In Poznań, where I live, you have to arrive a few hours before the Mass starts if you’d like to get a seat; otherwise, you will have to stand for roughly three hours.
I also really appreciate how these holidays bring families together. It’s a great opportunity to spend time with those you love. Oh, and the food is amazing—there are specific traditional dishes for different holidays in Poland.
Speaking of food, if you could recommend just one Polish dish to try, what would it be and why?
That’s a hard one. I’m going to go with bigos, a traditional Polish stew that’s considered one of the country’s most iconic dishes. It’s made with a mix of sauerkraut, fresh cabbage, and a variety of meats. At first, it was a bit sour for my liking, but over time I grew to love the taste.
Blogging about Life in Poland
My final question before I let you go is about your travel blog. What made you start the Paul in Poland Travel Blog, and what can readers expect from you?
I started the Paul in Poland Travel Blog to basically share my love of Poland. I’m passionate about this country. I consider it a great place to travel and to live. For the immediate future, I plan on writing travel guides for different places in Poland, such as Top Things to Do in Poznań This Weekend. However, in the future, I’d like to offer tours to different places in Poland. At the moment, it’s just an idea… but it’s growing.
That’s awesome! Paul, thanks for answering these questions for me. I hope to see you soon and explore some places in Poland with you!
