Although we came back to Taiwan in early February, various things prevented me from finishing all my blog posts until now, nearly a month and a half later. But anyway, it's fine - especially since all the videos from Poland will be released by mid-April. They are already edited, but I don't want to release everything at once and then be left with nothing.
We rarely go out in Taiwan due to my husband's work, and recently, we've also been sick. I partially lost my hearing, so creating new content hasn't been easy. I'm glad I finished all my videos early, as I'm currently unable to record and edit.
Time flew by - it feels like we just arrived in Poland, yet we’re already preparing to leave. This is the final blog post from our Polish holiday, capturing our last moments before heading back home.
In our last few days, we visited family to say our final goodbyes. We picked up my father and went to his brother’s place. My uncle owns a large forest, and after a meal, we took a walk through the woods. Although we didn’t spot any beavers, signs of their presence were everywhere. My father had left some logs to pick up later, only to find that some had been dragged into the river. Trees had been gnawed down, and the beavers had even built a pond for themselves.
Just across the street, there was a pond still covered in ice. Despite the relatively mild temperatures during our stay, the ice remained strong in certain areas. We tested it by tossing pinecones and branches, but nothing broke through. As we walked, the weather quickly shifted from sunshine to light rain, and we made it inside just in time.
The next day, the weather was even better. My uncle (the one where we stayed at) was busy preparing to smoke meat, which had been brining for two to three days. Since I wake up early, just after my uncle, I had many morning chats with him. That day, I woke my husband up to join us since my uncle had been looking forward to spending time with him.
We watched the meat being hung and saw how quickly the temperature inside the smoker rose. Only certain types of wood can be used for smoking. If you’re curious about the process, I have a full video from our visit two years ago—feel free to check it out! The smoking takes several hours, so we stayed indoors until the sunshine warmed things up enough for us to go outside and exercise.
It’s great having a garden where you can play football, ride a bike, or just be active. In Taiwan, we’re stuck in an apartment, and it takes more effort to go out and do things. The weather there is also unpredictable—either too hot, too cold, or constantly raining. In Poland, summer is short, and while winters have been getting warmer, they’re still not ideal for outdoor activities. That day, the thermometer showed 10°C, though it was in direct sunlight, so it was likely cooler. Still, it felt super comfortable. It’s funny how 10°C in Poland feels fine, but the same temperature in Taiwan makes me freeze!
We decided to play football—even the dogs wanted to join in! Our son had fun riding a bike, enjoying the space to move around freely.
Heading to Warsaw and Preparing for Departure
Since our flight was early in the morning and the airport was a two-hour drive away, we booked a place to stay in Warsaw for the night. We initially planned to leave early to explore the city, but instead, we spent the morning cleaning the car and packing. We still found time to play cards and share one last meal with family before heading out.
Driving on Polish highways is a pleasure. Do you know why? Aside from having fewer cars, the driving culture is much better. The left lane is actually used for overtaking, and people don’t block it by cruising at 90 km/h—unlike in Taiwan. Oh, and our speed limit? 140 km/h. In Taiwan, it's only around 100–110 km/h.
After a smooth two-hour drive, we arrived at our accommodation. It was spacious, clean, and had everything we needed—even some tea and coffee. It was just a 20-minute drive from the airport, right next to a shopping mall, in a busy town near Warsaw. And the price? Only 1800 NT!
We dropped off our luggage and went looking for dinner. We were about 1 km from a shopping mall, but aside from a few coffee shops and one Italian restaurant, food options were limited. Before heading to a supermarket, we checked out an Asian food store. They had a great selection of products from Korea, Japan, and Vietnam, plus a surprising number of Taiwanese desserts. I even spotted mochi flavors I hadn’t seen in Taiwan!
For dinner? Tiramisu from Aldi. Simple but delicious—highly recommended! We went to bed early since we had to wake up before 4 AM for our flight to Austria and then back home. It was dark and rainy, but at least there was no ice, which could have delayed our car drop-off. We made it just in time.
Returning to Taiwan: Mixed Feelings
In the past, I had mixed feelings about leaving. Sometimes, I was eager to return to Taiwan because it felt like home. But this time, I genuinely didn’t want to go. We had such a wonderful time in Poland, and returning meant I wouldn’t see my husband much. His work schedule has been insane. Instead of the normal 9 AM–6 PM job, he often comes home between 9 PM and midnight, works weekends, and even through the New Year. It’s exhausting, and honestly, it’s not a fun time for me.
Taiwan’s work culture is brutal. Overtime has become the norm, and lately, it feels like the only thing my husband does at home is sleep. In contrast, my uncle’s company in Poland is switching to a seven-hour workday. More and more European companies are introducing shorter workweeks, even four-day weeks with three days off. Meanwhile, in Taiwan, work seems to consume people’s entire lives.
Now that I’m back and editing this video, I have to mention something else. Walking in Polish cities was so easy—crossing streets felt safe, and sidewalks were actually for pedestrians. I had almost forgotten how chaotic driving in Taiwan can be. Within a few days of returning, I was reminded: cars parked on sidewalks and pedestrian crossings, drivers refusing to stop for people, and even a grandma running a red light nearly hitting me. What a lovely welcome back!
Speaking of school, Taiwan’s education system seems to be preparing kids for a life of stress. The amount of homework is overwhelming. In Poland, even during regular school days, there’s no homework—let alone during summer and winter breaks! Is this good or bad? Time will tell. But Poland follows Finland’s approach, and Finland consistently ranks among the best in global education.
Language learning is another difference. In Europe, even kindergarteners start learning a second language. In Taiwan, it typically begins around third grade. Schools claim that early English exposure might negatively impact Chinese proficiency. It’s ironic, considering Taiwan aims to become bilingual. Maybe I’m just unlucky, but after years of living in Taiwan, I still struggle to find people who speak English.
And that wraps up our Polish holiday. If you enjoyed this blog post, check out my other travel stories from Poland, where we visited places like the salt mine, castles, and beautiful towns. Thanks for following along on our journey!
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