Mościce, where my mom grew up and spent the first 20 years of her life, is a little village/district a few minutes west of Tarnów. Her dad, my grandpa, worked at the nitrate factory there, which was the first one in Europe and still one of the largest. Most of the people who live in Mościce worked at the factory, which is how this suburb was born.
Mościce is the cutest little place. Unlike Tarnów, which I swear is devoid of trees, Mościce is green, tree-lined, cozy, and welcoming. Maybe it's all the history and family ties I have to this area, but a little part of me didn't want to leave.
This is the house where my great-grandma and great-grandpa lived.
And this is where my Mom lived, that first balcony (on the right) on the ground floor. Small and cozy, but lots of outdoor space for the neighbourhood kids to play.
Two of my grandma's best friends still live in Mościce, in the same apartments that they've lived in almost their entire lives. Here I am enjoying tea and a million different pastries with Pani Danusia. It's interesting how in Poland, you really don't move around at all - maybe once or twice in your life. You hold on to where you live tightly, and are satisfied with what you have. None of the "grass is greener on the other side" mentality. The grass is green when you're surrounded by friends and family.
I miss my grandma so much, and I felt an overwhelming sense of loss while in Mościce, where her friends and memories still live. It was a bittersweet time.
This is Pani Halinka with my grandma. So fashionable with their hats!
The building above is the Cultural Centre. My grandma's dad was the director of events and sports here for his whole lifetime.
Mościce may not be on anybody's map. It's not a tourist hotspot. There's not that much to actually see or famous restaurants to eat at. But it's close to my heart, and always will be. My mom's entire side of the family is buried in the community cemetery, so there will always be a reason to come back and reminisce.
