Climbing with a Polish Guy

Before moving squarely back into my information overload and further musings on graduate student life, I must say a few words about the last hurrah of summer I've experienced in the past few days: going rock climbing with a random Polish guy I met on rockclimbing.com.

First of all, it's been darn inconvenient! Initially (meaning, before school started and work happened and I realized there was no way), I had hoped to set aside Thursday through Sunday solely for climbing. However . . . no. I had to renege on my promises, which made me feel guilty of course, but there was no way around it because of my work schedule and commitments. Work is a good thing--and it helps pay for expensive climbing gear!

Second, it's been a blast. I do love climbing: maybe not every day, maybe not every moment, but there's just something about getting out there, pushing your limits, winding up with dirt under your fingernails. It's great.

Third, Amadek (the Polish guy) is interesting. Not to generalize, but I tend to find people from Europe interesting to begin with, simply because they have a way different perspective on the world and its happenings from what we get here in the U.S. So there's that. And he's also a really good climber, unfailingly kind to me (in putting up all the top ropes and cleaning the routes when I can't--basically the boyfriend-climber role, without the benefits), VERY phlegmatic, seems to make himself at home anyplace, and also gives the impression of being at least two or three years younger than he is. I have to admit, too, that I have the typical American girl delight in the cute accent, such as the way he emphatically says "nooo" or "let's go!" or "yes, of course" or "I suppose"--you have to wonder where people pick up these quirks in a second language.

So, even though I climbed only yesterday (Saturday) and part of Thursday afternoon, I think it's been a good and broadening experience to have. A lot of my limits and my comfort zone levels have been pushed, and in ways that I didn't expect. For instance, I didn't realize how much my stress levels were affected by not having a really GOOD idea what I would be doing from one day to the next, or being fully able to drive that scheduling process. I also have a better understanding of how exposure (or lack of exposure) on the rock affects my feelings and mental processes during rock climbing. A lot of good stuff like that. In short, my life is beautiful and amazing and thanks be to God and my good angels for keeping me safe, if not quite sane. :)