Andrzej Krzysztof „Blad” Puchalski

That was in 2004, 
when Poland joined to 
EU 
Long story in few words 

Andrew 
2006‐05‐12 
 
 It was in 2004, when Poland joined the EU. In one day I lost my job, my wife, my 2-year-old
boy. I lost all my life. I made a decision so quickly – I have to go, anywhere, at any time – for money.
Maybe that could keep us together. Computer, internet – I had looking for work in UK, Norway,
anywhere. I send more than 200 CVs but no one answered. I was desperate. That made me cry every
night. Wife blame me – “You’re not a man, if you can not bring any money home, for your family”. Day
to day was worse. We stopped speaking to each other. Decision was so difficult, no help around me,
when I asked my wife what will happen if I decide to go abroad, her quiet hit me in the face. She had
nothing to say to me, her eyes were cold.
With the last of my money I bought a ticket to UK, and rest of my money I changed for British
pounds. – Not to much- I thought. At May 03 I had to send my lovely son, who was 14, to my mothers
because my wife refused for him to stay with her. She’s not his mother, he was from my previous
marriage.. I was very lonely. May 11 did come very slowly but came. That day changed my life., I knew
then I never come back, my life is dead, my family finished, I have no place to go back to..

10,15 my bus moved from the bus station in my beautiful town –Gdansk- which I loved very
much, where I worked for ten years as Police Community Support Officer, where lot of people knew
me, I left my friends, my sons, all my life behind me, and I took my suits, small bag full of CVs,
certificates, second bag with some clothes and food, …. I am going to …. To new life? To the future?
But bad or good? Maybe nowhere… I was scared.

Journey took 28 hours, the longest 28 hours in my life. I thought about last day in my HOME, no
one said goodbye, good luck, no one waved to me. I was alone, no friends, no hope, just scare. Bus ride
by half a day by Poland, made a big circle, and about 19,00 we arrived at the German border. Guten
aben, passports please. Many passengers just woke-up. Bus was full of Polish people looking for new
life, with hope in the future.- Please open your baggage – thank you. Search was quick. Good bye.
People started talking to each other. 24 people had all ready signed their contract to work for one
employer, employment agency in Spalding. They were so happy, and counted their money which they
should bring back. We spent all night on conversation about England

Next day when I got off the bus at Victoria Coach Station in London, it come to me – what have
you done? What are you doing here? –I talked to myself. I stood like statue, some people spoke to me
but I could not understand what they were talking about - Work? Accommodation? If you have got
money I can help you - Money? This is what I came for. No,, I am not going to give you my money.
Next to me stood some Pole’s. They were talking about some hotels in London,, just for the first night,
just for a moment, because they thought work was waiting for them. They were so happy but reality was
so different. No one knew how big a difference. That experience had to come. – can I go with you? You
have got some addresses, I do not know London at all- I asked – they looked at each other – no- they
answered. – do not worry,,, I have got some money,, some food, please take me with you- In the end
they agree. That hotel was close to Hyde Park at Bayswater. We took our luggage and started to walk.
That was a long way. Everything new, new country, new town, new language which I did not
understand, not one of us did. The hotel – a big house – many rooms, many people, many nationalities.
Two of us were sent to a room where there lived four other people. Three men and one woman –
Japanese. The room, on the third floor, is not in very good condition, small, 3 bunk beds, in the corner
shower cubical, one wardrobe. I took the bed over the Bulgarian, my new friend over the Japanese
woman. For bed side we had to pay £50 per week. A lot of money. We decided waste the first day and
relax. 0400pm. First deep breath.

Next day, Thursday 13 of May, started early morning. Beginning to hunt for work. I was ready.
My new friends were waiting for somebody who would take them to work. They paid for this in Poland
£100. I took my small bag with documents and went to the City.
Town was so big, so many people, different nations, languages, skins. How should I ask about a
job? Where should I ask? That was a question …. When I went on the street, I heard Polish language, I
turned around to them and asked- do you know some employment agencies? – they gave me some
advice and some addresses. In agencies where I have been, every time I heard the same – you have got
plenty experience but your English …. You have to understand in fully, you have to speak. In the
evening I went back to the hotel with nothing, except blood on my feet. Quick dinner, and walk again,
bars, restaurants fast-foods. Everywhere …. Sorry mate..
In Victoria Coach Station I am met many Polish, Czech; Slovakian people who were sleeping on
the floor. I was so lucky. Every day arrived 34 busses with the hopeful people, and goes back empty.
People were hungry for work, hungry for moneys, young, old, everybody wanted a job. Listening to
them I was in a very good positions,, I had my own bed, roof over my head. They, for the last their
money, bought a ticket to Eden and with just £20 in their pocket, they thought they would be in heaven.
I was so tired I wanted to get back to the hotel. I went back with much information. I slept like a stone; I
think I have forgotten about world.

Friday was just the same. Just faces on Victoria were changed. I hear many stories about life in
England; one of them was about “HELP” from other Polish people, who promised a job. They took
around twenty people straight from Victoria to the van, but people who looked for work just found
baseball bat. They never saw any jobs, any houses. Somewhere, in the forest they lost everything what
they had, money, passports,, bags, and were left there. Someone told me about “wall of cry” at
Hammersmith. I thought this is the wall but that was a shop with Polish Food. Big window was in small
posts. Hundreds of posts about jobs, rooms to let, houses, some information about missing people. In the
morning this place was a job market. Like in American films- two to work,, you, and you.- That was
awful.
In the hotel I was told, this guys who arrived with me still waiting.

In one week which I spent in London, I was registered just in two of many agencies where I have
been, but I feel better with my English. Most important was that I could understand much more. That
was not just:-”I looking job”- I should say thank you to the people in the hotel who I lived with. Sunday
was a day when I was hopeless. That was not true- IN ENGLAND WORK WAITING FOR YOU. I felt
like disability person, I couldn’t explain to the people what I know, what I can do. No chance to take any
jobs. My wife kept quiet, she didn’t answer on my short messages.
.

Next week bring up some changes. Friends from the bus called to me. I should cam to
Peterborough, they find some work for me in their agency. Guys, from hotel were gone to work in
chicken factory but they had paid for this again,, £250 per person.

Peterborough,, famous town of work gangs, Lithuanians, Pole’s, Pakistanis. In Queens Gate, I
met Jack who was waiting for my self and two more persons. To be honest I didn’t know, which part of
England I was in. No mater. The best thing was I’ll have a job. Jack took from me nearly the last of
money, £70 for transport to Spalding, £50 for deposit £50 for rent. From Peterborough Jack took us to
Kings Lynn where we left two people in agencies hostel, and moved to Spalding, exactly to Pinchbeck.
That was again Thursday. Hostel in Pinchbeck was not big, so quiet area, to Spalding just 4 mile. My
room on the ground floor was 3m x 2m, one bunk bed, wardrobe, and small table. Rent- £55 per week.
In hostel lived 18 persons, all of them Polish except 2 – Brazilian. All Polish I knew from the bus. Hope
again comes.
Friday, was my first day of work in United Kingdom. 0600am start. Next to hostel was waiting
van. Van took us to Carrots Factory near Kings Lynn. Faraway.

I worked this Friday and all next week, money finished. For food I had to walk to Spalding or
Morrisons near Pinchbeck. I looked for cheap goods. For example I bought bread in Lidl in Spalding
but butter in Morrisons because it was 10p difference. My first wages all £9, agency took their money
for accommodation. Friends went shopping and I could just watch what they bought. In this day I
bought my first book, book of English grammar but I had to borrow 99p because my money was not
enough.
 Week to week, life moved very slowly. Summer was beautiful, sunshine, hot. My wife made a
contact with me, first time since I arrived in England I heard voice of my youngest son. Tears running
down my cheeks. – Have you got some money for us?- my wife asked.- I am sorry but I have no
money,, my wages is £30, £40 per week. That is enough just for food, but I can save around £25, £30. I
need a car because I can find better job. I had paid £50 for registration in Home Office.- She couldn’t
understand. That was so difficult to explain to her I had work just two days a week. I was in UK then I
should have money. I should be rich. How she was wrong, nobody know. One day somebody told me
about school in Spalding, is for free. I had to check this information. I asked my friends to go with me,
but they refuse. They do not need. In schools receptions, register took long time but first time that was
done by my self. Basic course. At first lesson I was confused. My English teacher, lady in middle age,
tall with warm and very nice smile, asked me to sit behind the desk. -Good evening to all, my name is
Rose and I am your English teacher, please tell me what is your name- and she turned to me. – My name
is Andrew – my name is Jose – my name is Tania, names circulate in the classroom. Rose has talking in
English all the time, but I was surprised, I can understand most of her words.
My English lesson was two day a week but I came to school 4 miles nearly every day, because
agency had no work for me. In the school was free internet, then I again started to send my CV, I started
looking for new work. In this time to Pinchbeck arrived new Polish lads: Norbert. He was a young men
type of student of high school who knows nearly all, but he was quiet. For me he looks very funny, blue
jeans with big, colours inscriptions on the back, trousers looks this same. – Bollocks – my first thought
about him, but his English was fantastic, perfect. I was jealous. After a couple of days he started
working for agency as a manager. Norbert moved in to my room and took bottom bunk bed, unlucky for
him. I was desperate to learn English so I plagued him all the time explain to me English grammar,
English sentences. I had lot of time. Every day we talk more, and more, and more. Some times he
complain to me about the people who working with. They come to him and asked about work, they
thought that all is his fault, but is not. This situation made him feel very bad. He can do nothing. Then I
decided to help him in this matter. I had done few courses in people management and my experience of
10 years in police force and 4 years in retail let me help him. He learned very quickly. That was very
nice for me when the next day past our conversation rang to me and says: -Andrew,, do you know??
That’s working what you said to me- I was so happy. One day I received first letter from home, letter
wrote by my step-daughter, not by my wife. In letter I just find ask about money, no one words about
me, about my feeling, about my life without them, without my son. Just money. I drunk cider all night
and cried, I wanted to be dead. I was so drunk.
Job in carrots factory was new experience for me. New people, new kind of job. Here I felt first
time what’s discrimination by bosses, who are treating us not like humans. Start job was 08,00 but way
to work took 1,5h. 4 hours more every working day. Sometimes part of us finished work 14,00 but they
have to wait for rest of us to 16, sometimes to 17,00 and 2 hours on the road. Agency paid £4,85 per
hour which in this time that was a minimum rate. Manager of this factory was called “turkey” because
his face all the time was red and no one hear some good words from him. More worst than he was, was
his team leader. Once I was sent to “baton machine” on his line. I should putt on carrots to holes, which
was changed very fast. This team leader (Lithuanian) stood over me, and shouts to me: -faster, faster. I
was so tired. He wanted faster job than English workers, they can go any time to toilet, we have to ask.
One word just enough to be sacked. They had lot of workers waiting for this job.

One day Norbert came to me and asked: -would you like to be a gardener? - yes- I say- But you
have to move to Kings Lynn, far a way. - I never been a gardener – I said – but I can, if somebody want
to give me this job.
Two lasts weeks in Pinchbeck I had no work at all. This time I was so scared about the future, no
money, no work, I did not know I have to change profession, I have to change job.

Pentney is a very small village near Kings Lynn, with church dating at 1000 y and cemetery.
One sunshine Saturday 02 June Norbert picked me up and took me to this village. New Job. -This is
your new boss- says Norbert- introduced me to tall, young man, about 25 years old. –from today you’ll
be working for him as a gardener- I forgot I had a tongue in my head. – Hello, my name is Andrew- and
I can say nothing more. –come with me, I show you your room- Luke says to me. I followed him to
semidetached house. – You will be living with Portuguese people but do not worry, next door Polish
people are living – Luke said to me. My room on first floor was big. Big double bed, wardrobe, just for
me. – today is your off day , but tomorrow you start 07,00am. Is it ok for you? Luke asked. – O yes!. I
left my luggage on the bed, I sat next to my bags, and looked through the window. In front of my face
was a cowshed, and stables. I went to the horses. In the afternoon people returned back to home from
work. First person I saw was Anna, Polish girl who I met in our bus to England. She was very young,
pretty women, with fantastic sense of humour. To my house arrived Portuguese- Maria her boyfriend,
one hour later George. In my house lived together 9 people including 6 month old girl, George’s
daughter. At first we communicated by very strange language, which was a mixing of Polish, English,
Portuguese and German languages but we could understand each other, if not, helpfully were hands.
Maria was a woman not to tall, around 50 years old, with many tattoos on her hands. She was like Big
Mother, who thinking about all family. I felt like in big family.
Next day Luke took me to his parent’s house on sea side. – Show me what you can do- and left
me in the garden. Behind the house grass was taller than 1m. I took grass cutter and started. Work was
hard but I did not stop until lunch time. On lunch time Luke asked what I would like to eat. In this time
I have no money then I said- thank you, I am ok. - Luke did not ask me more, just brought for me typical
English food: fish and chips. This fish was really big.
 Since Monday I started normal work. Luke gave me a truck, tools and took me to a customer. –
Luke could you please show me what I have to do here? – I stopped Luke’s instructions- I am sorry but I
can not understand you- so many new words for me. After ten minutes I knew what is to do in this
garden. Normal ground job, nothing difficult. Around ten o’clock come to me Lady in her 70s who I
worked for and asked me – would you like something to drink? Coffee? Tea? - I was shiny- no thank
you. –you working so hard, you should take a break. This is tea for you and some biscuits- Thank you,-
my face was red. Ten hours, I did not see the time go. On my breaks I spoke many times with this Lady,,
but I think more she spoke to me than I spoke to her. My English was very poor, very poor.
Friday came first normal money. First time I make shopping without thinking what I can to buy,
first time I can by everything I wanted. Bread, butter, sausages, juice. Normal life. I can send some
money “home”, to my wife. But she never say thank you.
Day to day,, week to week was better. Many times Luke left me on site, and I knew what to do,
many times I had to speak to clients about work that was a very good English lesson. In this job I met
lots of people who were very patient with me, with my English. Work for nearly all English or Scottish
people was big pleasure for me. I can remember few jobs from this time but this is very deep in my
head. First of them is my work for very rich people. This garden was so beautiful, many flowers and
trees. First day I was afraid to touch anything. In this garden I worked every Thursday. Second job that
I should write about was for Mr & Mrs C.J. Miles-Reed from Great Massingham Norfolk. I should
say to them big, very big, thank you. They translated my polish certificates to English. That was very
helpful to take my next job, but about this later.
Luke’s brother, Mathew had got computer and access to internet. I made some contacts with my
friends from Poland. My step-daughter with her boyfriend is in London. My wife said nothing about
that. I tried making some contacts with her but she changes her phone number, her address. One day at
July beginning I caught her in house of my friends. She told me about her daughter and gave me her
phone number. Nearly every day I called to her. They couldn’t find any work. Past two weeks Karolina
says to me – it is finish, we have no money, I think about going back- unlucky for me I answered – Do
not worry, come to my place, I think I can help you-. That was forth or fifth week of my normal work
and normal money. I had spoken to Luke’s father, because he was the factory owner, and that was
depending on him about accommodations. He says do not worry, they have got a room and they have
not to pay until they find work. That was fantastic. Saturday morning I went to Kings Lynn for
shopping, big shopping. First time I bought something for myself some trousers and sport boots. Boots
were very cheap because there was a little difference between them, but I bought. In the afternoon
Norbert pick them up from Peterborough. -Hello, hello, how are you- I asked. She told nothing just
looks around. –come with me, I show you your room, is next to mine. They took their baggage and
following me very slowly. Late lunch was ready. We sat behind table and started just eat when she shout
to me- I do not want be here, with a cows? Here stinks, you are so stupid if you thinking I will be living
here. I have nothing to do here- calm down, I am living here, is not to bad- I try explain to her – All the
people who I am living with, working for agency from Kings Lynn, my boss promise me to find work
for you- but this all does not work. She cried, all my arguments were wrong. I was upset with her. If she
does not want to be here, she does not need my help. That’s ok. I just gave her my last money all of
them £280 (again I was with out money) and sent them back to London. No one can understand what
has happened. No one can understand why she decided to go back to London. Next day I received text
message from her – you fucking dick, the best way for you is forget this number phone, forget about my
mother, about all your family. I am going to tell all of them what you have done. You do not want to
help beyond the border members of your family. - I had no idea what I had done wrong. Nobody knew.
Few days latter I tried sending some massages to my friends but they blocked me on messenger. I was
sad, very sad, but life has to go forward. In September I bought my first car Vauxhall Cavalier for £200
from Norbert. I was no dependant on no one.

Summer goes to the finish. In beginning of autumn Luke says to me – Andrew, winter is nearly
here, it is possible no more work for you,, you have to understand this, sorry mate – I am understood. I
started looking for new job, new career in my life.

November 04 2004, my interview for security job. One of the security companies from
Peterborough were looking for officers in Kings Lynn. I dreamed about this job. I wanted so much to
pass the assessment. On interview Mike (later my manager) gave me a few applications to fill in and
spoke with me asked about my employment history, about my life. I was surprised I found not to many
problems with paper work and conversation. Mike wanted to understand my English. I showed him all
my translated documents and certificates, my references and commendations. – When you can start? -
He asked- when? Today, tomorrow, anytime- Ok, you’ll start tomorrow. My head was over the moon. I
informed Luke about my new job and asked about room. He let me stay in this room.

My first day in new work was full of stress. Computer, weighbridge was no problem for me, but
phone? Speaking by phone was so difficult. Luckily I was not alone. Geoff, very polite men in his 50s
was with me. Many times he save my face, he was next to me. He was my first long term teacher of
English language. I was lucky; always I had good people around me.
In this time I have had fighting with life again. My wages was paid monthly, Luke paid me
weekly. Again I had to live without money. Again I am looking for very cheap goods. Sometimes I was
hungry, because I had no food. Health and safety manager of this company that I worked for asked me –
why do you not have some foods for your lunch? - Because I am not hungry and I am to fat. - I smiling
to him. Sometimes he left some pies or apple for me and says - My wife prepared this for you - I think,
he had no idea how big a help that was for me.
 In November 22 was my 40s birthday, I thought nobody knows about this. At first I had no
money for birthday party, secondly I constantly thought about my family, about my little boy, about my
oldest son. I back to home very sad. When I made a step through the doors I was surprised. All my
friends – Polish and Portuguese- waiting for me. They prepared my first birthday party in UK. I felt like
I was one of member a big family. Again I had tears in my eyes.
My contract was finish at December 09, again big stress come to me. What I have to do, if that
will be really finished? I was scared. Mike from my security company says to me – Andrew, if you can
move to Peterborough, I can find some work for you. I made decision very quickly.

Just before the Christmas at December 12 2004 I move in to Peterborough. I rented one room.
Mike gave me couple days off, before start to work. Christmas Eve in Poland is big, family’s day. In the
evening we sat all families behind the table, Christmas tree stay in the corner, the oldest member of
family start pray to say thanks to the God for all what happened or will be happen in us life. After this he
start split special Christmas bread for all of family members, and flow wishes. On the table traditionally
“karp, barszcz z uszkami”, “pierogi” with cabbage and mushrooms, “bigos”, but not in this Christmas
for me. I was alone, my grand mother dead. My lovely granee who looked after me in first 7 years of my
life and I could not say good bye to her. I was far a way. This Christmas I spend like normal, from 15
years, at work but very lonely. In security job I had long time to think. Long 12 hours on duty.

February 09 2005 bring some changes. My oldest son started living with me. I tried finding some
schools for him but that was so difficult. I don’t know why, but nobody wants to help me. In school
where I applied I heard – sorry we have no place for your son, maybe latter-. In March we changed this
room for 2 bedrooms flat in Woodston. In April he started to go to the school: Enterprise and Business
in Orton Longueville. For him this time was so difficult like for me in the beginning, no friends, new
school new language. He didn’t know English at all. After one year he finished this school with gold
certificate and started study in Regional College on IT course. I am so proud with him.

Along with security job I started my own business, Administration Services for Polish people. In
security job I worked about 300 hour a mouth in night shift and rest of time I spend in my office.
Sometimes I have no seen my son for weeks but we live in the same house. I was gone to work, he just
returned from school. In June 2006 I passed bookkeeping course, I am learning British law, right of
work, taxes, right to earn some benefits. I am waiting for my second assessment to be Police Community
Support Officer. On my beginning in UK I had nobody who can help me in my problems, I remember
this time very well, I know what minefields a stranger can find.
 Now my home is here, UK is MY COUNTRY, I like this country the same as Poland, but I’ll
never be English. I will always bee Pole with English citizenship.