My insides were buzzing with excitment when I got a text message from a friend in Warsaw. Six simple words that made me giddy like a school girl .... "The GAP is opening in Warsaw!" And, even better it wasn't happening six months or a year from now, but it was happening next week. "Dzien Dobry, GAP!", I thought to myself. Now it might sound awfully silly to you that I was so so excited over the impending opening. But living in a place where all of the stores and fashions are different and a bit more provacative than in the states....A women could not be happier to know that she can get a basic t-shirt and pair of jeans that fits if she wants to! It's not as though I am a huge shopper in Warsaw (especially with the super trendy clothing that isn't exactly my taste) but its all about the comfort. The comfort of knowing that I can easily get something that is familiar to me. The comfort of knowing that I can go into a store and most likely find something that I like. Tom got home from work later that evening and I shared my good news with him. Being a typical guy, he didn't share the same excitement that I had but was happy that I was happy.
A few days later I was walking Charlie by the new Starbucks in our neighborhood. And, suddenly my excitement about the GAP's Polish arrival fizzled. Did I really want American chain after American chain everywhere around me in Warsaw? I was living in Warsaw and surviving just fine without my GAP jeans and Pumpkin Spice Lattes in the first place. And then it really hit me the thing I love most about living in Warsaw is that it is different - full of different people, a different culture, different markets, different stores, different buildings, a different way of celebrating holidays and more. It is experiencing all of these differences that makes living abroad so cool and exciting. And the arrival of Starbucks and the GAP is eliminating these differences.
I understand that Warsaw is a booming and growing city and that with that development comes a certain amount of Westernization. But, at the same time I hope that through this change Warsaw can still hold on to its character and individuality.
So, How do I feel about the GAP's arrival in Poland? Yako Tako, which in Polish means so-so. It'll be a nice to have it when I need it, but I am hoping that this is the one and only GAP that will arrive in Warsaw!
(On a side note, for all those wondering - Starbucks does not carry Pumpkin Spice Lattes in Poland. Pumpkin is a flavored used in fall cooking here but it is traditionall more of a savory flavor than a sweet flavor. You have to remember that the Poles have no concept of Pumpkin pie since they do not celebrate Thanksgiving! So, I'll just have to get my pumpkin latte fix in the states in Decmeber!)
