Yinzer in the Shire

Guy Fawkes Day was a bust, but thankfully the "Celebrating Everything Polish Festival" held on the same day was a blast!  This year's festival was held in a small event centre along the waterfront.   It was a tight space, but it was jam-packed with awesomeness!  Upon arriving the first thing we did was order hand-made pierogies !  As you might imagine, they were amazing.  We then wandered around the other stalls.  There were Polish meats, art, and books for sale.   There was also heaps of entertainment ranging from traditional dance and live polka bands to a jazz group with a Polish singer.   Though the space could easily be explored within less than an hour we stuck around for the entire day to enjoy the performances and eat even more pierogies (this time with a delicious mushroom butter sauce)!  We also tried our very first placki z jablkami, which are Polish apple pancakes.  As you know we try our very ha...

Remember, remember! The fifth of November, The Gunpowder treason and plot; I know of no reason Why the Gunpowder treason Should ever be forgot! Guy Fawkes Day is held each year in Great Britain as remembrance of the foiled Gunpowder Plot in 1605 when plotters planned to blow up Parliament, but were caught in the act. As Britain and New Zealand share the same monarchy and common history, Guy Fawkes Day is observed here as well.  Sort of. The traditional Guy Fawkes celebration happens in autumn and consists of children going door-to-door to collect money for fireworks, impressive public displays, bonfires and effigies of the Guy. New Zealand's celebration is significantly tame compared to Britain's, with no real connection to the original history it has become just a night for fireworks. In New Zealand fireworks are only available for purchase from November 2-5. Sparklers can only be sold in packs with other fireworks and the selection o...