Interview with Agnes
Agnes likes to joke that her first tour members were very little and had a short attention span…because they were children. As an elementary teacher, she would take kids on field trips to show them the history and culture of her native Poland. During summer breaks, she would do the same — but with adults. Although her classroom days are now behind her, Agnes still gets her teaching fix as a guide. She's an expert in dismantling Polish stereotypes, loves helping tour members "get local," and has a rather unique (and heavy) hobby. Let's get to know Agnes…
How did you become a guide?
How didn't I? Since I can remember, my life has always surrounded history and tourism. As a student, during summer break, I was selling postcards and guidebooks. And I started to read them. Because of this, I started falling in love with history…not dates and figures, but stories. People's stories in specific times, and how they all built together. So at university, I took a course on guiding and this is how everything started.
But you also taught, right?
Yes. But guiding and teaching, they run very close together. From my master's degree I became an elementary teacher, and I would take little kids on field trips, show them Polish culture, and teach them Polish history. I always joke that my first real tour members were just really small with a very limited ability to focus for a long time. It was challenging! But during the summer school breaks, I started guiding adults. After some time, I began to have so many offers to guide tours that I had to choose between my careers. I chose guiding, and I have never regretted it.
What do you like most about leading Rick Steves tours?
I love the commitment Rick Steves makes to finding truly local experiences. It's Rick's whole philosophy of seeing the country like a local — it really works, and the tours make it work. Like on the Poland tour, we make a point to visit peoples' homes and make pierogi with them. It's not just sightseeing, it's getting local. This doesn't only create a better experience for individual members, but a better experience for the group. Everyone seems to bond. I love Rick Steves tours because on the first day, I say hi to people I know are soon going to be new friends. And on the last day, I say goodbye to new friends.
What do you love about Poland, and the Poland tour?
I love my country for its diversity, food, culture, and history. On the Poland tour, we almost cross the entire country, from the seas to the mountains. I also find that many people who sign up for the Poland tour do so because they have Polish roots. They find towns, villages, and even houses of their ancestors. It's very touching to watch!
Is there a particular stop you like the most?
I mentioned meeting families and making pierogies — that happens in Kraków. We go shopping as a group at the local market and visit the homes of locals. We meet their pets, we meet their families…we go local! But I also really enjoy Malbork Castle. This is the world's largest brick church — it's like a trip back in time. Plus, for me it's quite meaningful, because I collect medieval bricks.
You…collect bricks?
Ha! Yes, it's a very interesting hobby. I collect medieval, hand-made bricks. Luckily, we have more than a few brick buildings to explore in Poland, so my collection is pretty good. But after a tour with me, my tour members never look at a brick wall the same.
Apart from learning to love bricks, what else do your tour members learn about Poland?
I love watching my tour members have their eyes opened to my country and start to drop any stereotypes they might have come with. Lots of people come to Poland with an image in mind…maybe of post-Communism, with big imposing buildings and a simple life. But then they travel here, and it's eye-opening. Our buildings are beautiful, our countryside is beautiful, and our culture is beautiful. My tour members are often very surprised how clean, safe, and lovely Poland is. I always smile because, at the end of the tour, I realize my country now has more ambassadors who will travel back home and spread the word about Poland!
Do you have a travel philosophy?
My travel philosophy is to be open-minded, and ready to meet the new. This helps tour members open their eyes to Poland, as I've talked about. But even beyond guiding, I have a mantra I love: Just focus on being yourself — because everyone else is already taken.
Here's what Agnes won't tell you…but her tour members will:
"This was our 19th RS tour. I continue to be amazed with the talent of the guides. I would say that Agnes was among the top five best guides we've had. Not only is she very knowledgeable, she is very compassionate and caring."
—Nancy, Best of Poland in 10 Days tour