Our first day of rehearsal went quite well, considering most of the people arrived only yesterday. We practiced most of our songs, focused on Polish diction, and had a Russian friend help us with Blazhen Muzh, our Russian song.
Three of our group didn’t arrive until today due to flight and document issues.
These are some questions I asked people today:…
What’s your first impression of Poland?
– It is clean – Kristin Sommers
– Easy customs – Sarah Brenneman
– It reminds me of Kazakhstan – Victoria Miller
Why did you come on Hope Singers?
– I wanted another choral experience, and I wanted to travel in Europe – Carita Keim
– My brother highly recommended it – Benjamin Barnhart
– I’ve heard about it for a long time, I’ve had family here, and it is historically rich – Esther Bean
How do you feel about singing Polish?
– Excited, but incompetent – Karl Zimmerman
– Oh boy. It’s difficult to wrap American tongues around those consonants. Alena Martin
– It’s a challenge. It’s definitely the most difficult language I’ve sung in – Eric Beachy
– It’s a challenge, but when it all comes together in a song, it’s really great! I like that I can communicate to someone in their language, even if I can’t understand it. – Marcus Peight
What’s one of your favorite things about Poland? This question is for people who have been in Poland before)
– The peaceful setting at Gustaw’s (the retreat center where we are staying) and the food – Crystal Culp
– everything is cheap – Marcus Gingerich (He hasn’t had to buy fuel here. Ed.)
– the markets – Gina Schrock
– the atmosphere in the cities – Dervin Martin
– simple food, friendly people – Titus Barnhart
– pedestrian- friendly atmosphere – Marlin Hostetter
– the little markets, and bigos ( An amazing hunter’s stew)
– walking in the old parts of cities; the food, definitely, the FOOD!
** written by Jewel Gingerich