I’m in an opposite situation (like many other Poles nowadays). I left the country for a better job (at that time – any job in my profession) and I don’t think I’ll return anytime soon. As I progress in my career and life, the distance from Poland is growing, rather than getting smaller.

@Ben/Chris: After a couple of years in Britain I also miss Sunday lunches at village pubs (although I “discovered” them fairly late), fish&chips and parks. I’d add to the list B&B’s (but not hotels) and all the cultural stuff (museums, theaters etc.).

I don’t share your opinion about trees. Yes, these in parks are impressive and well kept (btw, if you want to see a nice park in Poland visit Park Oliwski in Gdansk Oliwa, I found it better than Warsaw’s Lazienki), but otherwise they are not terribly different from Polish. Perhaps you’ve only seen a typical planted pine forest, which is common in Poland (and I agree, it’s fairly unattractive) but there are others too, perhaps more obscured like these “village pubs” in Britain. Ask someone to take you for mushroom picking (na grzyby), the season will start in a couple of months. Although I personally don’t enjoy the experience very much, it might be what you’re after.

I always said it’s fate, but it seems to happen to a lot of people.

Good idea with the podcast!

Martin