Your windows are your eyes to your world. But a windowsill, in Poland, is so much more than that.
For example, when you move into a new home or apartment, in Poland, your windowsill becomes your welcoming table.
In fact, you throw a party BASED around your windowsill. The party is even named after your windowsill. It is called a parapetowka. And this is what is involved: welcoming drinks and snacks and more welcoming drinks.
What do I mean by welcoming drinks? Well, in Poland, that generally means vodka. I mean, it is Poland, right?!
If you are not big drinkers, no worries. Set up juice on your windowsill and partner it with some salty sticks (or pretzels) and perhaps some cookies, too.
The entire point of the party is not the food, anyhow, it is the welcoming of your friends into your home. Your new place where you will reside.
In fact, oftentimes, especially in the past, the parapetowka was when there wasn’t even a drop of furniture in the home. Literally, no furniture.
You sat on the floor. You had your snacks. You drank your drinks. And you visited, with your friends, in your new home.
As uncomfortable as that may sound, when you are surrounded by friends, it completely makes up for the lack of cushions.
You are with those important to you in your home. Home is where the heart is. Hence your windowsills are the eyes to your heart, where, at your parapetowka, you see those most important to your heart and home.
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How important is your windowsill in your life? Does it hold any special meaning to you? What about any other traditions that may help make your move into a new place a home? I look forward to hearing back from you!
And 2 Makes Crazy 