childhood memories of Poland

Every afternoon our courtyard became a kingdom where imagination ruled. The iconic trzepak (carpet-beating frame) turned into a pirate ship, games of gra w gumę (elastic jumping game) echoed with laughter, and the nearby park became a world of secret hideaways, towering trees and unforgettable adventures. This chapter looks back at the freedom, friendships and simple joys of growing up in 1980s Poland—memories that continue to live quietly in the places we once called home.