GINGERBREAD CHRISTMAS IN TORUŃ

Christmas in Poland can be truly magical. Over the last 14 years of living in England I only had a chance to spend a few of them back in my hometown in Chełmża and visiting Toruń during that festive time became a sweet tradition. This time, however, I decided to do something I have always wanted to do- bake my own gingerbread.

Everyine agrees that Christmas decorations are the best way to get instantly transported into the festive spirit. Toruń does deliver when it comes to that. Walking around the High Street and the Old Town, you can’t fail to notice many light displays, have a picture with a REAL Santa and…

..and of course a stunning, huge christmas tree that always brightens the Christmas nights for Nicolaus Copernicus or rather the famous astronomer statue standing by the corner of the Town Hall.

There is nothing better on a cold winter evening than to find the most delictious, chewy, warm mountain-style cheese with a cranberry sauce called, Oscypek. Toruń Christmas market is full of tasty treats and of course mulled wine and beer 😉 Shame I was driving and couldn’t have a sip- in Poland there is zero tolerance to driving after alcohol (unlike in the UK where I can go out to a pub or a restaurant and have a small glass of wine or a beer).

Having sat down on the throne in Brama Świątecznych Życzeń (the Gate of Christmas Wishes), I only had one wish for the upcoming year 2019. To live in love, spread love and help others find love within themselves. Having published my memoir ‘Polish Girl In Pursuit of the English Dream’ in March 2018, I was thankful and grateful for the love it received and all the love it was able to give. We never know what each new year is going to bring but being brave to follow our dreams couldn’t be more rewarding. Better to risk losing than to risk never gaining at all.

Walking along Toruń High Street I met this amaaazing man, he proposed to love me as long as he can, so till about February time (or for as long as it’s cold) and I said; Yes! That’s longer than some of my relationships with other snow-men melting away at the first signs of…well whatever they used as an excuse 🙂

After meeting the snowman, I met this guy. He took my hand and said: ‘Do not fear my love, I will be back to see you again very soon and put a smile on your face… next year’. I replied’ ‘Oh that’s amazing, thanks, I am looking forward to it. Most men I knew never came back or if they did, it wasn’t to spread love and gifts….’ ‘I know my dear’ he replied- I read your book ‘Polish Girl’ 🙂

After eating a huge dougnut, drinking coffee and of course eating oscypek, I noticed this- the sweets heaven- oh I wanted to have even one of these gorgeous creations but I stopped myself at the very last minute and thought…I am sweet enough.

I couldn’t be more excited when I enetered the gingerbread making class in the Museum of Gingerbred. We were all given a gingerbread dough ball that we had to work on untill it turned really sticky and then we could use the tools to roll it out and place it in the wooden block with a carved design.

Once it was taken out of the wooden heart, I carved out Pokochaj Siebie at the back of it. After all, that’s what I managed to find for myself and that’s what I wish upon everyone to find. To Love Yourself.

I was so, so excited and happy with my own handmade gingerbread. It was now ready to be placed in the oven so that we would walk around the museum. The only downside to this- it’s not an edible but decorative gingerbread which may be a good thing. At least it could end up as a Christmas tree decoration, rather than being eaten in 2 seconds 😉

It was fascinating to listen to the tour guide telling us a little about the history of gingerbread production in Toruń. The spices that were needed for it were transported from far, far away and were very expensive. Supposedly at some point in Toruń, you could buy your own house for just a few nutmegs or pepper corns. Can you imagine that?? Now we take pepper for granted and don’t consider it a valuable thing. Times change and we change but maybe we should start appreciating such small things more, especially once we get a bit more knowledge about them. Why living whole life without learning such exciting facts? A huge waste…

I was also very lucky to stumble upon a Real Man 🙂 Gustaw Weese. He and his family actually owned this 19th century gingerbread factory which later turned into the contemporary Confectionery Factory “Kopernik”. (that’s were I get all my chocolated coated gingerbread from) Gustaw was a real gentleman, he invited me for a coffee and then to his office. He was a bit surprised by the choice of my hat..but I told him that we need to go with the flow and he agreed. He was a true buisnessmen who travelled around the world and he knew that progress was part of human existence.

In his office, he had to a few things so while he was working, I was answeting the phone, taking new orders for gingerbread. After all, Weese’s products have been known all over the world since the 19th century and they were even exported to such remote countries as Japan and Australia. It is thanks to him and many people over the years involved in the production of ginderbread we can now enjoy the taste of Toruńskie Pierniki.

I also managed to see the different wooden forms, carved out so beautifully by very skilled men, some of which looked like old Toruń townhouses or carriages or angels (Toruń symbol) I also met this young boy whose job was to measure the exact time was needed for the gingerbread to bake in the oven. Since they didn’t have clock there, he had to stand there and say many Saint Mary’s to measure the time…what a job!

I was then asked to cook some dinner but..I wasn’t sure how to use this old equipment work so I just smiled and said..Next time 🙂

When I saw this lady I thought she was holding my baked gingerbread heart but I quickly realised she was just selling them out of the box. I was very impressed by the till she used, not sure I would know how to!

Before we finished our tour, I had to jump into the classic Żuk car and shout; ‘Get out of my way! Polish Girl is on its way to rescue the world from the lack of self-love!

And finally the moment of truth about my gingerbread baking skills arrived. I hope you agree- I am quite good at it, especially with carvig inspirational words on it #pokochaj siebie #loveyourself

Having finished my tour around the Museum of Toruń Gingerbread with a bag full of all types of chocolated coated beauties, I stopped by my Guardian Angel…I must say I was very happy for him to show his presence to me, reminding me that he is alwasy there when I need him. I know I should know that without his reminders but sometimes we do need a bit of a visual to just..know 😉 I hope you enjoyed joining me on my Christmas visit to Toruń and the museum. If you ever get a chance to do it, don’t hesitate 😉

Read my memoir ‘Polish Girl In Pursuit of the English Dream’ on Amazon now: