BOU AVENUE
Christmas In Łódź
Zosia Zgolak and I spent a relaxing and low-key Christmas Day (25 December 2017) in her hometown of Łódź, Poland.  During the day, Zosia's mother, Teresa Kosmala, accompanied us as we visited a couple of cemeteries to pay our respects to Zosia's father and grandfather (Teresa's father).  In the evening, Zosia took me for a walking tour of the city centre which included a visit to a Catholic church and a stroll along pedestrian-friendly Piotrkowska Street.
Wesołych Świąt! This small but unique Christmas tree sits atop a television set in Teresa's apartment.
We're holding galareta, a jellied meat and veggie dish. Zosia and Sonny prepare to eat breakfast on Christmas morning.
Piękna matka i córka! Zosia embraces her mother, Teresa, in front of some Christmas lights.
R.I.P.

Zosia lights a candle at the grave of her father, Jerzy Kosmala.
R.I.P. Teresa and Zosia light a candle at the grave of Zosia's grandfather.  Although Zosia's grandmother is still alive, her name is already engraved on the headstone.
R.I.P. In the Cathedral Basilica of St Stanislaus Kostka, Zosia stands in front of a memorial for Tadeusz Burzyński and other Catholic priests who were arrested and ultimately murdered by the Nazis during World War 2.
They locked the gate behind us shortly after we entered this alley, and we had some difficulty finding our way out!

Rosa's Passage is a side alley off Piotrkowska Street where the walls of the buildings have been covered with small pieces of mirror in flowery patterns.  This art installation was created by Joanna Rajkowska in 2014.
It was very busy here, and we had to wait in line to get our photo taken. Sonny and Zosia have a seat in front of one of the Christmas decorations along Piotrkowska Street.

Photo courtesy of Zosia Zgolak
You don't have to be a star, baby...to be in my show! Zosia is the star of Łódź!
I wonder what the #MeToo advocates would think... Łódź is renowned for its film school, and many of the alumni are honoured with stars on Piotrkowska Street.
Hey Art! Do you know "Chopsticks"? Sonny "plays" a piano duet with the Polish pianist, Arthur Rubenstein, on Piotrkowska Street.
There once was a man from Nantucket... Sonny tries to think of a dirty limerick while sitting next to the Polish poet, Julian Tuwim.