NATO Fest in Norfolk Virginia

 

I belong to a Polish Highlander dance group called "Dzianiszanie". We perform traditional Polish Highlander dances and songs. We range from the ages of 2-40. This year we received an invitation from the Polish military in Virginia asking us to help them celebrate their annual NATO Festival in Norfolk Virginia. Norfolk is a city located in Southeastern Virginia. It's home to Naval Station Norfolk, a naval base on Chesapeake Bay. NATO is the "North Atlantic Treaty Organization", it is a military alliance between North American and European countries. Only eight of our best dancers got to go on this trip, and i was one of the eight dancers. It took us 15 hours to get to Virginia in an RV. As soon as we got there we went straight to the NATO parade and performed on the main stage after.After our performance at NATO Fest, we were greeted by all the Polish soldiers, marines, and airmen. Poland had their own tent among the other 29 countries belonging to NATO. There was traditional Polish food and beverages for everyone. We also got to walk around and experience all 29 different cultures within the fest. Finally after our big performance, one of the military commanders and his family invited us over to his house for a party. There we met many Polish soldiers,talked, laughed, ate, and even danced the polka. It was amazing getting to meet all these new people. We exchanged contact information and are keeping in touch. We hope to see them soon and we are extending an invitation out to them to come visit us here in Chicago.