Mid May

The middle of spring in Poland clearly means one thing and one thing only. Those who hid in their apartments during the cloudy, winter months have now reared their heads to get a look at the sun and to swarm the city sidewalks especially on the weekends. 

I can’t recall it being this crowded in late August, but then again perhaps I was simply getting adjusted and had no comparison. Krakow, the number one tourist attraction in Poland, is clearly that and then some from my recent observations. It’s possible I blocked out the number of young families with baby carriages and dogs that insist on using the entire sidewalk or the number of cyclists who disregard the bike paths and want to use the same sidewalk route that I take. I’m not sure what it is, but to be frank, this time of year is a bit annoying for those of the introverted persuasion. 

Now I must pick my times again as to when I wish to enjoy the river. Although granted, it seems like every weekend for the last month a road race or march has been scheduled on either one side or both, making those jaunts less appealing. 

To the casual reader this might seem like a big “boo hoo” session and in a way it is, but this is more so just an observation from a new resident getting used to the seasonal change here in a foreign city. I think I’m more lamenting the fact I did next to no writing during the colder seasons of the year and now I’m trying to figure out how to remedy this, as well as continue my slew of travel vlogs with the weather now more user friendly. 

Truth be told, even with the warmer temperatures and the sun being more active, the travel vlogs will be taking a back seat for the next month or two. In my last blog we were celebrating the fact I reached 100 releases. Fast forward to mid May, six weeks later and the number is now at 147. By the end of next week, 156 videos will have been released. That’s how crazy this has become and to what end, I’m not really sure. 

Seven months in, I’m feeling a bit numb. Simply walking down a street, my left arm automatically now shifts to a ninety degree angle and my hand pretends to grip the camera that isn’t even there. I’m a bit tired from the process, from this grind, one that has consumed my creative energy more than I would care to admit. 

I am well aware that in my last vlog I shared a similar line of thought. That’s how consuming this has become. Even get away trips that should be a time for recharging, have turned into a working mentality. Part of that is simply due to the fact there is an editing process, thumbnails, initial research, and even when on location, it’s more of a focused trip without necessarily all the relaxation elements one would typically get. 

I film upon arrival and explore for several hours before taking a break and editing almost immediately. Then it’s back out for another round of shooting with more editing prior to bed. More often than not, I end up shooting three videos over a weekend and once I get home it takes three more nights of work to get each video ready for release. 

This doesn’t leave much for writing time, if any. 

I’m stating this because it has become clear that this can’t be sustained. This morning was my last straw. I took a walk through Krakow and I kept my camera in my pocket the entire time. Part of me wanted to film, but similar to writer’s block, I didn’t have anything to say or share. There was one moment, I almost filmed. I watched a woman, with a black fanny pack wrapped around her hips that looked more like a pair of bloomers on the outside of her pants, pose in front of St. Joseph’s. Her photographer, who was likely her boyfriend, didn’t have the heart to tell her she looked ridiculous in her ensemble as she shifted her body towards the church without any inclination to actually step inside the doors and see the real beauty inside. 

I’m not sure what bothered me more, the absurd posing with the extended camera lenses or the fact she didn’t even cross the square to walk into those hallowed halls. The same can be true of the tourist group being taken around by the extended golf cart. The group of five simply stared from their seats, snapped a series of pictures, and then the cart disappeared onto the next location. There was no intention to truly experience the church or even walk around this famous square. 

That’s when it hit me. Have I become these people? Are my vlogs even providing any value or is it just me aimlessly wandering around, chiming in my thoughts, without any real intentions to make content that matters.

To that end, I’m taking a break from traveling until the middle of June. I made that decision this morning and canceled next week’s trip as well as my planned day trip for this weekend. Hopefully, the next three weekends at home will help me recharge enough and come mid June, I’ll be renewed and reinvigorated to want to share my trip to Nysa and then later on my planned trip to the Wolf’s Lair. I’m hopeful the rest will do the trick. For some reason if it doesn’t, at least we know I’m striving for more, and whether that’s in video form or written, it won’t be long until I have something new to share that is substantial. 

Till our next meeting. Cheers.

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