Tuesday is the day the Chasing Portraits documentary film project leaves for Poland. I’m frequently asked how I feel about this impending journey. Honestly? I’m both incredibly excited and totally nervous. I am both very much looking forward to the trip and completely dreading it. Two weeks is a long time to be away from family and an incredibly short time to get all that I hope to get accomplished actually done. I have high hopes for the trip but am worried about some of the details coming together. I think there will be great discoveries and disappointments. I think I will meet wonderful, helpful, kind, and caring people and others who will put up roadblocks and make it difficult for me to meet my goals. I am trying to put on my “this is an adventure” hat and to take it all in stride. I am trying to figure out how to take my Americanized self into the land of my ancestors and to navigate my Elizabeth Rynecki identity in a place where people will be more comfortable calling me Elzbieta Rynecka. I am trying to head off on this journey with an open mind and heart. I am trying to focus on the fact that the journey is all about the art of my great-grandfather, his memory, and legacy.
Want to hear about the project while I’m in Poland? Don’t miss out on any exciting developments! I’ll be sharing behind-the-scenes photos, stories, and updates here on my blog, as well as on the project’s Facebook page and Twitter feed.
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