Between the hierarchy of the First World and the chaos of the Third World lies an unseen world.

This is the world of Polska.

Poland is a country in the East of Europe. A country with access to the Baltic see. Country with beautiful mountains. A country with Masuria and 2000 lakes. A country with a noticeable four seasons.

I just want to let all of you know that Poland is not a Third World country. We are closer to the First World.

I know that people think it is dangerous over there and that there is a huge poverty problem. That is not true anymore. Poland is the most developing post-war country in European Union and on the top of that, the safest country on the world.

I want to explain to you why this is true and what I have noticed over my lifetime.

Poland has existed since 966, when Mieszko I decided to join to Christianity. We have been fighting and winning, we have been fighting and losing. In 1025, legally, we began a Kingdom.

The point is that we were country until 1795. After this, we were partitioned among Prussia, Russian empire, and Austrian empire. Poland disappeared from the map, we were not there for 123 years. People were in conspiracies creating some parties, making decisions and writing Polish historical books even if it was illegal. In 1918, right after the first war, we became a Second Polish Republic.

After a few years, in 1939, World War II began, and it ended in 1945. During these six years we had lost a lot of historical evidences, really valuable pieces of art, books, land, damages worthy around 16 million of dollars and around 22% of the total population. We had lost everything except faith.

After this, in Poland, there was postwar communism, and in 1989 there were the first elections and a first president. Then things started changing.

That was a short time ago, when my friends were born. When my parents lived, when my generation was created.

In conclusion, since 1989 we have been a totally independent country with a strong currency (zloty). Until today we are repairing a lot from the previous century. It is incredible how fast we have raised to our feet. I will explain that on my own persona.

Polish people live a better life; they can buy pre-prepared meals, go out and speak loudly about the history.

I remember my mom saying "we had to learn Russian songs at school." My grandad said, "we could not speak loudly about our history." They were under the Soviets' power, they lived in communism.

Now, we can be proud what our country has been through. Some people think that God's faith helped. Surprisingly almost 9/10 of polish population is Roman Catholic.

I am a Christian, everyone from my neighborhood is, all my friends are.

Warsaw during World War II

Warsaw now

That is only a half century difference...

When I was 7 years old, my family had a computer. It was a big one, loud, heavy and not really advanced. This computer was an attraction for a whole neighborhood. There was no wifi at that point.

Whatever I needed for school, I had to find in the library.

I got a cell phone when I was 13. It did not have a colorful screen or MP3 music. I remember we could buy from the last page of magazine some ring tones for 2.99 monophonic, or 4.99 for a polyphonic. We had always spent our money on that.

Today, almost every kid has a tablet, a fully-equipped cell phone, smartphone, mp3, iPod, and/or laptop. When my parents were teenagers they had to go to the village to make a phone call, because nobody had a phone. Now, almost nobody has a landline phone.

When I got a cell phone, I could only catch a service by the window directed towards the big town. Now, I have service in my basement.

I remember from my parents' stories that during postwar communism they used little note-cards from the government for food, clothing, anything. The currency did not work (regimentation of goods), so they had limits through amount of the cards. According to what they told me, the limit was one pair of shoes for person per year and few pounds of meat per family (monthly).

Now, almost everyone walks around in Nike from the newest collection.

People used horses to travel between villages, motorbikes next, later were cars (starting with polish Fiat 126p) that I actually remember.

Now, people have at least two cars, motorbikes, choppers.

Our cities are built all in the same way, narrow roads closer to the city centre. There are main political buildings, castles (one in Cracow from 14th century), cultural centers, amphitheaters, basilicas and churches. Everything surrounded by the river and next there is another side of the city with wider roads, building complexes and land that is used now to exploit.

Today, the main city centers, are called downtowns, where is one old typical style and the city life is going on. There are the most expensive restaurants, clubs, cultural events, concerts, and exhibitions.

During a short period of time, life in Poland completely turned around. That is why Poland is respected for its originality and amazing renewed style from baroque, renaissance.

After all I have said, you should understand why we are not first world country. We need more time. Just a little bit more.

You just need to see.