This is a short story about one of the coolest moments from my time in Kraków.
During World Youth Day, a black market like trade system emerges. This market is all about souvenirs from different countries. People bring unique items from their homeland to trade and barter for other goods. I was tipped off about this phenomenon before I left, and brought several American souvenirs to trade.
Many people bring pins, keychains, religious articles, and banners. However, the most covened items are national flags and by far the American flag is the most prized. Luckily I brought the Stars and Stripes with me.
People constantly kept coming up to me asking to trade and some times even offering cash to take my flag. I refused all offers that came. That was until we went out for dinner one night.
While at dinner, a group of French pilgrims came in with custom matching WYD shirts. As the group was about to leave I asked one of them if they would trade for the shirt off their back. Two quickly responded with “no, no, I love this too much”. Another one spoke up and said he would give his away for 100 dollars. When I told him that was way to much he simply shrugged his shoulders and said “it’s French, what do you expect”.
Without saying another word, I reached into my backpack and pulled out the full sized American flag. As soon as he laid eyes on it, his shirt came flying off. The whole group jumped up out from their table and began chanting USA! They told us that although they do not say it all the time the actually love American culture.
The pictures below show the great trade in action.
-Luke