But it was a different time. I left New Britain to join the US Marine Corps in 1959. Returned in 1969 after a lifetime in Vietnam and travels all around Asia. got transferred to New Hampshire with the Bell System and never looked back.

At that time Broad Street was just beginning to come into its own. I have returned on occasion to buy some great food to take back with me.

In the near future I would like to return again and I am wondering what the local lodging opportunities are? A stay for several days or there abouts.

Any ideas or suggestions?

Adrian

4th/5th generation… You’re like Martha Stuart then:D

I guess I ought to say what I meant saying that “Polonia version of Polishness is unatractive” – when I read it now it seems pretty vague:)

I meant that the “Polonia” version of Polish culture is some ersatz, containing folk costumes, kiełbasa, romantic poets etc. Not really reflecting the current development of Polish culture, which redefines itself all the time.

As for “looking Polish” – for me it’s the opposite. I seem to look anything but Polish. When I worked as a waiter in an italian restaurant during one summer holiday in Jersey (not the new one, the old one in Channel Islands, Europe). There’s a large Polish minority on this island and staff who worked in hospitality&catering all seemed to be Polish. Yet everyone assumed I was italian and talked to me in italian. Funny that.

I will stop by to read your blog, but promise to stop by at ours too:) http://polandian.wordpress.com :>

I’m actually 4th and 5th generation american (depending on which side). That my grandparents spoke Polish was really only on my maternal side. I think my paternal grandparents understood Polish but didn’t really speak it. And my maternal grandparents surely spoke some mix of Polish and English, as they were fluent in English and were probably forgetting some of their Polish.

In the early 20th century, there was a very big emphasis on immigrant cultures giving up their native cultures in order to assimilate. I don’t think it is insanely different today, but I believe there is a bit more effort put into preserving culture. So my grandparents never spoke Polish to us kids. In fact, they “capitalized” on the fact that we didn’t speak Polish, as it meant they could speak about adult matters that we were not supposed to hear. Although of course we picked up on tone.

And CT is the abbreviation for the state in which I live, Connecticut. Keep stopping by!

You mentioned your grandparents spoke Polish. I was surprised you didn’t catch Polish from your family. Is speaking another language not regarded as something especially beneficial across the pond?

Do you ever regret not having learned Polish? Being bicultural and stuff?

But telling you the truth I couldn’t blame Polonia for not sticking to the “Polishness” as the Polonia version of Polishness seems so outdated and unattractive.

PS. What’s CT?