Polish in Shanghai

Ok, now I'm just a blogging fool! 3 posts in one day. Sev has very recently broken into the local Polish community in Shanghai. Yes, believe it or not, there are about 200 Poles living here- compare that to the estimated 20,000 Americans. But being just 1 of 200 is actually turning out to be a big advantage. For example, the Polish prime minister, Donald Tusk, was recently in Shanghai and Sev managed to talk his way into a small meeting (about 30 people) with the guy. He actually got to meet him- this is the man who is responsible for negotiating with America on the new US missile defense system in Poland. Basically, it would be like me getting to met Obama. The following week, Sev & I were invited to an invitation only event at the Polish consulate to celebrate their independence day. It was a lovely cocktail party at the consulate which is in a beautiful old villa in an exclusive area of old Shanghai. For reference, the US consulate is located in a mall. Yes, a shopping mall. And believe me when I tell you there is no charm whatsoever. Anyway, upon entering the villa, you definitely feel like you have landed in Poland. The house is decorated with traditional Polish furniture and rugs- I seriously felt like I was at my mother-in-law's house. The party was fun- free flow booze and Polish vodka of course! They even had traditional Polish food but because it was made in Shanghai, it didn't taste quite right...oh well. Now once a month, all the Poles in Shanghai get together at an Irish bar (yes, Irish- there's no Polish bars here so it's the next best thing). And these are the nights that Sev gets home about 3am but hey, can you blame him? After all, it isn't often he gets to speak Polish & act like he's in Poland so when the opportunity arises...

Sev and the PM of Poland (the one with the brown hair and NO pin on the lapel is him- the guy with the pin in the background is secret service- cool).

What's a Polish party without the booze?

I just liked this picture of us...