More Than Just Carnival:
What's on the Minds of Poles Living in Greenpoint?
From Nowy Dziennik (Polish Daily News)
January 9, 2002
By Bozena Chojnacka
The holiday season has made us slothful. We have fallen out of the rhythm of
daily routines and responsibilities. The shopping rush in Greenpoint has
completely faded, and many stores and companies here remained closed till
January 7.
Perhaps it will take a few more days for the neighborhood to return to
normalcy.
Holiday preparations, Christmas presents, and family gatherings are all
over. So what are we preoccupied with now?
Considering the fact that lent begins in mid-February this year, we should
be busy enjoying the Carnival. But are we? Is being merry really what's on
our minds at this time?
"We should be going to parties and meeting with other people, as we always
do during this time of the year," said Elizbieta, an owner of one of the
stores on Nassau Avenue in Brooklyn. She believes, however, that Poles
living in Greenpoint are still frightened after the tragic events of
September 11 and simply are not in the mood for partying and celebrating.
They rather choose to stay home and cherish the peaceful family environment.
Indeed, only a small fraction of people who attended last New Year's Eve
balls and receptions in Greenpoint returned to celebrate this year.
Stasia Szpak, who works at Pol Travel agency on Meserole Avenue, Brooklyn,
agrees that Poles in Greenpoint still feel insecure. "There is no panic or
dread anymore. But there is no enthusiasm either," she said.
"Hardly anybody makes far reaching plans. People tend to concentrate only on
the near future. Everybody wants peace and hopes that calamity will not
strike again. Some Poles think of going to Poland over the summer, but
travel agencies don1t have special deals yet," said Szpak.
On the other hand, Janusz Seweryn, who owns Seweryn Travel agency on Green
Street, Brooklyn, said people are more at peace now. They have come to
realize that they have no control over tomorrow. His clients often share
their thoughts and reflections. They don1t know what they should do, he
said. "Many thought of going back to Poland, but the high unemployment rate
and the difficult economic situation in Poland has discouraged them from
making such a decision," said Seweryn.
(Translated from Polish by Joanna Sufin)
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