THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, July 31, 1994 TAG: 9407290251
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER PAGE: 03 EDITION: FINAL
LENGTH: Medium: 70 lines
Ella Wermus, a clerk-typist in the Special Programs section of the Chesapeake Department of Parks and Recreation, found out she could go home again.
What she discovered during a recent May-to-June trip to her home country surprised and delighted her.
The Greenbrier resident is a native of Poland who hasn't been back to her home country in six years.
Her husband, who teaches operations management and production management at Old Dominion University's College of Business, went back by himself last year to visit his hometown of Bydgoszcz, about 90 miles south of Gdansk.
This year, it was Ella's turn. She recently came back from a four-week vacation to the former communist bloc nation.
Wermus said she and her husband went back to Poland on separate vacations because they have three small children, all too young to make an international trip. So while one spouse stayed with the kids, the other traveled through Poland visiting friends and both sets of relatives.
Besides visiting her in-laws in Bydgoszcz, Wermus had a fine time with her own family in Wroclaw, a large city in southwestern Poland about 50 miles from the Czech Republic's border.
``Everything is different now in Poland,'' Wermus said. ``The free market has changed everything. Everything is available in the stores now. I remember years ago going into one store and there was nothing inside except the sales lady.''
With the collapse of communism, Poland quickly switched over to a free market system. The change was a severe shock to the country, causing many economic hardships. But now, even with unemployment and high inflation, the economy is beginning to improve.
``Ten years ago, you saw nothing but sad faces in the street, no greetings or happiness,'' she said. ``But now I saw many smiling faces, and the people are very friendly.''
One thing that probably brought a frown or two to a few Polish faces, and maybe her own, are the prices of goods and services.
Wermus said a 6-ounce bottle of Coca-Cola costs twice what it does in the United States. A glass of good Polish beer costs anywhere from $2 to $3. In fact, it even costs to answer the call of nature.
She said most Polish restrooms have itemized lists of charges. There are different charges for using the toilet, toilet paper, soap, water or a towel.
But the Polish food was worth every penny, she said. It's still out of this world.
``I cannot describe it, it is so good,'' she said. ``When I'm over there, I don't pay any attention to nutrition.''
And in the wake of progress, she did notice that Poland's cities are a lot cleaner then they were years ago under communist rule.
``They're trying to beautify their streets, and many sidewalks are being repaired or replaced,'' she said. ``There is a high fine for littering now. And they enforce the laws.''
How about the father of Poland's struggle against communism, Lech Walesa? Is he still THE man in Poland? After talking to family and friends, he may not be, Wermus said.
``Lech Walesa is more respected abroad than he is in Poland,'' she said. ``I don't think he will be re-elected next time.''
Still very popular in Poland are American television shows. The Poles love 'em, she said, even though the fare on Polish TV may be a few years behind.
``Some very popular shows on Polish television are `Magnum PI,' '' she said, ``and `The A-Team' ''
- Eric Feber by CNB