🇬🇧 With SWB in Poland – Part 2
We truly felt like the richest people in the country while we were there. Everything was so affordable, and even though I was poor back in Sweden, I could afford quite a lot in Poland.
You could see the difference when we stopped for coffee or a snack somewhere. People would gather around the bus just to look at it. They had never seen a bus like that before. We were told not to give anything to them, as it could cause problems.
But one person ignored those rules – Walter Persson. No one knows how he managed it, but somehow he got Polish children to sing in Swedish just to get some candy. It was both tragic and funny – but the kids were thrilled with the candy, and Walter was certainly generous!
That’s something we had in common. Even though I didn’t have much money, I felt that even 10 kronor was a lot for the Polish people, so I always gave a tip.
Many of those on the trip wanted their exact change back – and I didn’t like that. The Polish people were so friendly and did everything they could to make us feel welcome, so why not show a little appreciation? Everything was so cheap anyway.
Being generous and thoughtful really paid off, as Walter and I found out one evening after dinner at a hotel. It was late, and the staff said that after a certain hour they wouldn’t serve anymore.
Walter asked, “But can’t we buy just a little champagne?”
Sure enough – he and I were the only ones served, because we had tipped the waiters. We toasted each other and agreed: there is justice in the world!
It was an unforgettable trip – and I was tired for 14 days afterward, that’s how intense it was!
I met so many amazing people (even if they were a bit older 😉), and our bus driver got us home safe and sound – full credit to him.
The journey itself was amazing – but it didn’t end there. I gained some valuable connections, and I even have a funny little story about that.
Shortly after we returned home, there was an event at Flyinge. I don’t remember exactly what it was, but it was crowded. The big indoor arena was fairly new, and there was going to be a show.
At one end of the arena, there’s a walkway where you can cross from one side to the other. I was crossing there, looking down into the packed arena, when suddenly I heard someone shout:
“But look – it’s the saddlemaker!”
Everyone turned their heads to me as Gunnar Henriksson came rushing over and gave me a big bear hug!
It was great to see him again – and later, he even helped me with a ton of paperwork when I was preparing to present my stallion in Denmark.
Another great contact from that trip was Inge Wilhelmsson. When we were hosting a breeding evaluation at our farm, I contacted him and asked if he would come as a judge for our Palomino evaluation.
He agreed – and I was proud to advertise that we had an international judge at our event.
I also ran into Walter Persson at Falsterbo, where he was one of the organizers. I was there selling gear from my saddlery, and we had a party before the event kicked off.
And I’m still in touch with Gullvi Borsits – she’s just as lively and lovely as ever, even though she’s now passed the age of 80.
As I always say: It’s all about connections – you never know when you might need them!
