The first thing I saw when I walked out of my hotel this morning was a giant sign “We are rebuilding what should not have been destroyed.” I’m in Warsaw, and this sign applies to so much. I have to say that this morning’s short walk to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldiers was very weird. Not the walk itself – the monument is right across the street from the hotel. Walking to the monument in formation for the hourly changing of the guard, were soldiers in uniform with high black boots, marching without bending their knees, guns with bayonets on the end. I just wanted to run. I tried to blend in with the walls of the reconstruction that was going on. Nothing violent happened of course, but, at that moment, it was too easy to envision it. I didn’t even take a photo.

After that, Ola and I had a wonderful day.

Next, we went to Belvedere – the park is always so beautiful

The wildlife were out too

Warsaw represents so much to me about rebuilding that which should never have been destroyed – the buildings, the way of life, and of course above it all, life itself. It is a miracle and a demonstration of the resilience of people that so much has been rebuilt

The way the city has been reimagined and recreated, means that what happened is never be far from a visual reminder. The juxtaposition between this morning’s military demonstration, and the old city, just a few blocks away is very jarring, and really shook me.