31st birthday of my Dear Deceased Brother. We should be spending money on beer instead of new hearths, as You should be among us.
Went to Białowieża yesterday, and the experience in the woods wasn't as intense as in Knyszyńska forest. A lot of oaks though, and there is much darker among these trees. Also, I felt very strong presence of animals, however didn't see any, except for a Lesser Spotted Eagle. Flew away before I managed to get my Canon at the ready. This time I took my pocket sized binoculars, so we could observe a female deer from a distance. Such a beautiful creature. Will never understand sick urge for hunting. All who enjoy it are psychos, maybe except for those who actually kill animals to feed upon them, however eating meat is in my opinion quite nasty and totally unacceptable. Still, rather cowardly approach-try to kill a wild boar with a spear or something instead of shooting it from the comfortable spot, somewhere above the ground, with rifle with field glass.
Now, the museum. As I remember it, it was a small building, with rather not too extravagant inferior nor exterior. Remember stuffed horse and a european bison and all. Remember as my parents bought me two stamps at the souvenir shop-one with otter, the other one with common eider. Still got them somewhere.
When I saw it after twenty years I gasped with horror. Now it is huge, supposedly modern building, with restaurant and such, with some gigantic tower on top. We looked at the ticket prices and I thought someone lost his fucking mind- there was even a separate price for taking pictures. Obviously their taxidermy display is more valuable than the greatest of paintings on this earth. Left.
Białowieża is now very focused on making money, so almost everywhere you can find a room for rent, even a whole house if you wish, not to mention hotels with names which must have something to do with bison. A lot of tacky souvenirs which sometimes have absolutely nothing to do with this place. Of course countless, tacky, bison-themed items, probably made in China. And wooden axes and bows for children to please their inner urge for causing each other pain and distress.
Saw Tsar's Restaurant in former railway building. Wasn't really interesting (especially if one knows it belongs to Magda Gessler-and I think she thinks she's next Gordon Ramsey, only I don't think he ever compared vegetarians to "poor weirdos") but the surroundings are nice, especially old train, which remebers Tsar's visits at this region.
Overall, it was a good day, despite rain. Managed to sneak to the bison reserve without paying for parking or entrance- we pretended to be part of german group. Scared the shit out of two naughty boys in the town. Got into few old houses-one of them formely belonged to O.'s great grandmother (his father's side). It is partly empty now, and if someone was ever to dwell in it, should put a great deal of work to make it habitable. Pity it was given away, should have stayed in the family.
Finally we got to the heritage park, and I saw my dreamhouse. Couldn't get enough of this sight. I felt this would be a perfect home for each of us. O. would also be pleased to leave in such a house. We left this place with sadness, as we feel this is unlikely we ever make such dream come true. It's tearing me apart!!
We were farewelled by a black dog and a then sudden rain.
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