May 17, 2002

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The past week in Gothenburg has been so tranquil, I already dread the flight back to Warsaw tomorrow morning. I’ve found it difficult to fall asleep at night just because I’m much more interested in staring at the stars outside my window. Morgan and Lars’ house is in the mountains, surrounded by a woods, near a huge lake, under a blanket of constellations I forgot existed.

And the time with Morgan has been really positive. I’m now much better able to understand who I was six years ago when we were last together, freezing to death during the winter in Lublin. That time was magical, and this time--in a completely new sort of way--was magical as well. I am always astounded when I find someone who stretches my mind. I am even more astounded the second time--when I get to reconnect and reacquaint myself with someone who had such an impact and influence on me when I was so much younger and so less the person I am today.

Things I want to remember about my stay in Gothenburg:

• the scent of lilac while strolling through downtown at twilight;
• riding the roller coaster and other rides at the amusement park;
• visiting the manor by the sea with Oscar, who enthusiastically read all the signs;
• seeing the ancient Norse settlement with the upright stones;
• the ferry ride to the archipelago.

So I leave for Poland tomorrow, refreshed and revitalized and hopefully better able to deal with the unpleasantness of life there for the next 32 days. Looking forward to spending time with my friends before we all go our separate ways.

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