I was 10 when communism fell in Poland. My world became colourful – but complicated

Thirty years ago, democracy brought us Pepsi, Turbo gum and bananas, but also stress - and an end to our sense of security

How come I remember 1989 so well, when I don't remember what I was doing yesterday? Maybe it's because the 1980s in Poland were so different from what came after. The 1980s were like a sticky, slow reality where everything happened without haste and nothing worked, where often there was no water or electricity. Only the food was somewhat similar to today's. Now we have Coke Zero and decaf. Back then we had caffeine-free "coffee" (cereal-based) and chocolate-like products - we didn't have real chocolate or real coffee. In the 1980s, ham was only for holidays. Today, Warsaw is among the most vegan-friendly cities in Europe.

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