Winter seems to be in the retreat for good, and one can definitely feel the first gusts of spring winds in the air. This time of change is the time of new possibilities – as somehow, in a magical and impossible to express in words way – makes us feel more optimistic towards both our lives and our not necessarily liked career paths. I don’t know about you, but I’ve always been fascinated with distant and hot countries, which would offer me everything I often missed in my home land.
High temperature and beautiful weather seem to have an incredible influence on people – filling their hearts with joy and allowing them to live their lives to the fullest, like there’s no tomorrow. I’ve also been intrigued by the natives of such countries, as they let me look at my life from a different angle, a perspective which made me see certain matters in a totally different light. Their joy of life and creative potential have always impressed me. Such a distinct lifestyle gave me hope, a feeling that one could find one’s own heaven on earth. Unfortunately, I’ve never found enough courage in myself to decide on living in an exotic country – my own ideal place in the world – which would allow me to truly enjoy my life and not only merely exist. That’s why, I often look at people with huge admiration, and I really respect the ones who have been able to ignore their irrational fears and totally change their lives.
Today, I’m happy to introduce you to Hanna Zborowska-Neves, who not only decided to live in a distant and beyond reach for many of us Brazil, but who also decided to follow her heart, which apparently didn’t let her down.
Passion Piece: Could you tell my readers a few words about yourself? Who is Hanna Zborowska-Neves?
Hanna: I’m a mother, a wife and a mistress. ? Now, seriously, I’m a woman or maybe still a girl, who is always looking for something new. At the moment, I’m trying to find a new professional career.
Passion Piece: How is it like to be brought up in a family of actors?
Hanna: It’s a real madhouse. Strange working hours of my parents. Being continuously pointed at by strangers in the streets. It’s quite tiring.
Passion Piece: Passion Piece: What did it teach you?
Hanna: I learned that whenever I’m with my parents, I’m never anonymous. I thank God, as when I was a little girl and I still lived in Poland, there were no smartphones, the Internet or other gadgets. Frankly speaking, I feel pity for my sister who cannot have her lunch in peace, especially while being in a public place.
Passion Piece: Was it difficult for you to choose a different professional career than the one which followed your parents?
Hanna: I’ve got an artistic soul. I really wanted to dance. However, I was always too shy to say what my true desires were. Honestly, I took up law which was far from my first choice. Fortunately, I was quite lucky, since I’ve never worked as a lawyer, even a day in my life.
Passion Piece: How did your adventure with Brazil start?
Hanna: As a child I always dreamed of being a beautiful blond girl, from Lambada, and dancing with a handsome Mulatto boy. Later on, I got to know my future Brazilian husband in Salamanca, during one of my student exchanges … and I simply fell in love with him. That’s why, one could safely say that my adventure with Brazil started by a complete accident.
Passion Piece: Brazilian culture is a culture full of gestures and emotions. Was it difficult for you to find yourself in a new reality?
Hanna: Brazilians are really loud, and therefore also really tiring. They keep shouting and making big gestures all the time. It took me quite a few years to get used to living here. It may sound funny for me to say it, but now I’m the one who shouts loudest here.
Passion Piece: How do Brazilians perceive Poles?
Hanna: The Brazilians know Polish personalities, such as Wałęsa, Kubica, John Paul II, and of course Lewandowski. They don’t really know much about us as a nation. For them a gringo – a foreigner – is everyone who’s blond with blue eyes.
Passion Piece: Does the difference in temperaments often lead to funny situations?
Hanna: Brazilians keep hugging and kissing all the time. On the other hand, we – Poles – are much more reserved. For sure, such a difference in temperaments can lead to some misunderstandings.
Passion Piece: How did you become a honorary consul?
Hanna: I’ve always tried to help my fellow countrymen. At some point, I was simply offered that position. I’m truly happy that I can help them even more effectively now.
Passion Piece: What should we keep in mind while traveling to Brazil?
Hanna: For sure, you shouldn’t wear too much gold, carry too expensive cameras or record stories on your smartphones. One can do everything, but with reason. If you don’t keep it in mind, unfortunately, you can easily be robbed. Just like in most of the countries located in South America. Besides this, it’s a good idea not to forget that the sun is VERY strong and you can easily get a sunburn . It’s also worth getting the right vaccinations, especially if you’re going to travel to such places as Amazon.
Passion Piece: What does a Polish girl miss in a sunny Brazil?
Hanna: I miss snow, rain, foul weather, pickled cucumbers and sour kraut. I also long for the scent of lake and the smell of a wooden pier … I miss everything what can seemingly appear to be unimportant.
Passion Piece: How do you try to pass Polish character to your daughters? Are they eager to learn about their grandparents’ country?
Hanna: Nina just loves going to Poland and every summer we try to fly there. Mila is still too little, and she doesn’t really get what it is really going about. However, whenever we have such a possibility, we travel to Poland or grandparents come to visit us.
Passion Piece: What do you like doing in your free time? What are your biggest passions?
Hanna: I love dancing and I am crazy about the gym and being fit.
Passion Piece: Where do you see yourself and your family in 10 years’ time?
Hanna: In Fortaleza. I think so…
Passion Piece: Which motto would you like to share with my readers?
Hanna: It’s never too late for a change … we should live in a way, which allows us to be happy.
Passion Piece: Thank you very much for this conversation and I hope that we will hear about some of your new actions taken either in Poland or in Brazil.
Hanna has made me daydream … I feel like going somewhere, to a place in which I could start everything from scratch … and what are you dreaming of right now?
See you around!
Yours,
Passion Piece
Photos by: Hanna Zborowska-Neves
This is a cool interview. I always love reading about different cultures. I've never been to Poland or Brazil.
Hope you'll have a chance to visit these countries one day! :)
This is such an awesome interview. It is lovely she is helping her fellow countrymen it can be hard at times when you have moved so far I am sure.
It's never easy to move so far way from home ... any help is welcome and I bet Poles appreciate her help a lot! :)
I love this ladies spunk. She knows how to enjoy life and seems happy.
Oh, definitely she does know how to enjoy her life! :)
I love what she says at the end of the interview. Such a cool experience. I love learning about other cultures as well, I really enjoyed reading it.
Happy to hear that you enjoyed reading this interview! :)
I loved reading this. Very interesting and inspiring to read about how she is continuing to find her own self through her daring risks and adventures!
I wish I could experience such an adventure one day! :)
Nice interview, it's always nice to discover and learn about new culture.
Of course, it is! :)
I have always love interviews like this because you get to know someone better. And posts like this are always inspiring. I love her motto. No wonder she seems like a happy person.
That's true, she knows how to make use of her motto well! :)
Ela é realmente um exemplo a ser seguido. Pessoa encantadora que tive o prazer de conhecer.
That's so great that you had a chance to get to know her! She is a real inspiration! :)
My friend still has some winter hanging on. She's not too thrilled about it!
No one is thrilled about winter! :)
It would be fun to go someplace totally new where no one knew you and just start from scratch, even for just a short period of time. What an adventure it would be.
I also dream of such a place, my own place in the world! :)
Well India is one such country with high temperature and a lot of possibilities. You must visit this beautiful country and I am sure it will result in many more beautiful blogs.
Ah, India is such a versatile country! It's worth visiting for sure! :)
I love interviews. Discovering the points of view and the thoughts of other people, as the world from their eyes is different ...
Interviews allow me to look at certain things from a different angle for sure! :)
Very interesting interview as always! It would be so cool to go some place new and start all over again!
I'd need such a fresh start for sure! :)
Hanna is such an inspiration to many people. She is obviously very passionate about what she is doing. Sounds like a wonderful interview.
Passion makes people strong, that's why she is such an inspiration! :)
What an amazing interview from Hanna. It is interesting to read how she bring her Polish roots to Brazil and how she spreads it.
That's wonderful when people are not ashamed to admit where they come from. :)
I really liked your interview! I've always been interested in knowing more about different places and cultures. What an inspirational post.
Getting to know various cultures makes us citizens of the world! :)
Her interview is such an inspiration for many people out there, this is such an interesting post. PS- I love your clicks.
Thank you! I'd need more interviews like this one to make my blog more popular! :)
I love reading blog posts about people, you end up feeling like they are your friend. Brazil must be an awesome place to live
I'd love to visit Brazil one day for sure! :)
I lived in another country for a period of time and I also encountered the different culture problem in my first few years. But then, after I left that country and back to home, somehow I miss all those cultural shocks. Haha..
It happens that we become attached to the places where we live, I can feel you! :)
I love reading posts like this. I get to some people or blogger a little more this way.
That's my aim! :)
Interview is really awesome and very interesting to read. Thanks for sharing such an inspiring post.
You're welcome! :)
Great interview! Very open and honest - and nice to find out a bit more about Hanna! x
She is a very friendly person, that's why she made a good interviewee. :)