Those I Met . . .


Poles


Janusz Janowiak

Janusz Janowiak Probably my best friend from Lipnica Wielka, Janusz is a Spanish flamenco guitar player's soul trapped in an Orawian body. An artist, in truth.

Kinga Jendrus

Kinga Jedrus
A math major who has a passion and eye for photography.

Kamil Mastela
A curious mix: a Masters in economics, a brilliant guitarist, a barman, and an English teacher at the primary school.

Kamil Mastela

Kinga Mastela, Ewa Janowiak, and Chhavi
Kamil's younger sister, Kinga became like a younger sister to me. Ewa was Chhavi's private pupil.

Kinga Mastela, Ewa, and Chhavi
Tom Pastwa

Tom Pastwa
"The last real artist in Orawa," proclaims Janusz.

Mamo

Maria Barnas, aka "Mamo"
Kinga and Kamil's mother, and mine too in an adoptive sense.

Bartek, Adas, and Dawid
These young fellows lived in the same apartment building as I did. We played many games of soccer together . . .

Bartek, Adas, and Dawid

Kasia Malec
It took a year for her to quit snickering shyly and hiding her face when I said "Hi," a second for her to return the greeting, and a third to become her friend.

Kasia Malec
Iwona and Anita

Iwona and Anita
Two dream students with whom I became good friends by the time I left.

Tom P.

Tom
A recent graduate, and a good student. One of three students who went to the 1998 Model United Nations Conference.

Maria Janowiak, aka Mary
A friend and hard-working ex-student.

Marysia Janowiak

Iwona
A disco friend with whom I often spoke English while she responded in Polish, making for strange conversations..

Iwona B.

Topik
Kinga J's content dog.

Topik


Peace Corps Volunteers


Charles My closest PC neighbor, billiard partner, fellow Zywiec lover, and all around good DOM.

Charles

James
A native San Franciscian who was in a similar long-distance-r'ship boat.

James

Paul, Kevin, Scott, and I
Paul, a humorous architect; Kevin, a talented pianist; Scott, a twisted artist.

Paul, Kevin, Scott, and I