What a day, but first let's back up. We were delayed getting into Frankfurt, which delayed our bags getting to Warsaw. Everything arrived eventually. Caitlyn is very thankful she has more than one change of clothes for the next two and a half weeks, and Tony is thankful he can light the interviews. It was snowing when we arrived, but we knew it wouldn't be there the next day so we rushed from the airport to Kostka church. It was my first time to Kostka. I'd seen pictures of the grave in my research, but standing before it was something else entirely. You can't help but be struck by the beautiful simplicity of it.
Today we packed all of the gear into the van and headed to Warsaw University. We interviewed some students and then went to the office of Krzysztof Meissner. He is a theoretical physicist that teaches in Warsaw. He was at Victory Square when Pope John Paul II visited in 1979 and also went to see Popieluszko at Kostka when he was drawing tens of thousands to hear him speak. He gave us a wonderful perspective on Poland during those historic days. More than a few times we looked at each other astounded by his insight and eloquence. Great interview.
Then we headed back to Kostka to shoot some footage inside the church. This was the first time I had been inside. No pictures could have prepared me for it. Beautiful. The wooden pews worn smooth by decades of the faithful. The alcoves covered in commemorative plaques, statues, and paintings. One alcove was centered with a replica of the Black Madonna, and the late afternoon sun through the stain glass around it gave everything a golden glow. Breathtaking. All in all a very good day. We couldn't have asked for a better first day.
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