Life / Suggestions required for a song that indicates "Poland". [12]

My request is truly serious. If Polish people wish to use the above song, that's their business, but I want something that is Polish and respectful at the same time.

Travel / Need suggestions for things to do in Wroclaw and Krakow - August [6]

If there is an adult with three younger ones, while others go to the Oswięcim, I would recommend going to the Salt Mine. This should be quite an experience for all and something that will interest children.

For Wrocław, I believe there is a zoo.

Travel / I am free - Hello Poland. Need advice about travelling in Poland. [16]

I've had no problem booking hotels in Poland with a passport out of the EU. Of course, when I arrive I'm asked to show it, partially to prove I'm the person who has made and sometimes paid for the reservation in advance. I've stayed in five different Polish cities and have never received anything other than professional service at the hotel reception desks.

Travel / Train Fares; train schedule in Poland has changed? [13]

Thank you, yes I found recently the fares part is back. And no I don't mind the Osobowy trains. That is where I find the real Poland, and what I find are very kind people. I can't believe how nice people were to me last summer. And yes, I'm aware that the Poznan to Warsaw ticket is much more expensive than others. Thank you for making sure I knew about the changes in the schedule.

Life / Strong and weak points of heritage buildings in Poland [3]

I've been to several heritage sites in Poland. What is critical to guest services is the quality of the guide services. Too often it feels like a forced march. Also what causes one to return is a new feature, or other events at the site such as a concert or art exhibit. Good luck.

Food / Polish & American yeast and baking powder? [5]

The default in US recipes is "double-acting" baking powder. This means part of the chemical reaction that cause leavening occurs at room temperature while the product is being mixed, and another reaction occurs at the higher heat during baking. I've never looked for Polish baking powder when in Poland. My only guess is to read the fine print and determine if the baking powder available is single acting or double actint. Good luck.

Travel / Train Fares; train schedule in Poland has changed? [13]

Thanks for the info about the seat reservation process. Here's a link to Kowalski's in Minnesota: kowalskis.com
It is simply a pleasure to shop there.

Travel / Train Fares; train schedule in Poland has changed? [13]

Thank you, Kowalski, for the new web site. Having the prices for the trains helps me to budget a bit correctly. And here's another question. On trains that require reservations, are reservations required when one rides 2nd class or only 1st class?

And I must tell you I shop for groceries at Kowalski's here in Saint Paul, Minnesota!

Travel / Accommodation in Wroclaw [27]

Thanks Bossie for the great video link, and thanks Wroclaw for the info about the Panorama ticket. I've been to Warsaw, Krakow and Torun so I don't think the Rynek business will be intimidating! I found I stood out in Torun, not because I was being a noisy American. Rather I was odd in a sidewalk cafe because I was alone, and because I was drinking sok or cola!

Travel / Accommodation in Wroclaw [27]

Is it really necessary to get someone to buy the ticket for the Panorama ahead of time? One can't simply go early in the morning? I'll appreciate your advice. And I'll be there in July. Is this heavy or low tourist season?

Life / POLISH "WIGLIA" -- NOT JUST ANOTHER BOOZE-UP [12]

I began to understand something is different in Poland when children consistently tell me that Christmas is December 24. No U.S. school child would say that. In my family Christmas Eve and Christmas Day were somewhat the same for we would spend one day with one set of grandparents and all the aunts and uncles there, and then the other day with the other set of grandparents. Usually this would rotate the next year. Christmas Eve also is a time for a church service which usually includes a children's pageant portraying the Christmas story.

Travel / Train Fares; train schedule in Poland has changed? [13]

Thank you. This is exactly the site I've been using for several years, but in the new format, there is no longer a link to fares.

Travel / Recommendations for Zakopane [48]

Here are some photos from my 2008 summer stay in Zakopane.
Follow-up: Sorry the photos would not attach.

Travel / Visiting Bydgoszcz - things to do / places to see [10]

The planaterium in Torun is excellent and would be a good thing to do in the winter.

Life / HAND-KISSING WANING IN POPULARITY? [29]

I have a wonderful memory. I go to Poland as a volunteer to teach conversational English to children and teens. This past summer I went with students from Siedlce to Zakopane. I had a week before the next language camp would start so rode the bus all the way back to Siedlce with the teens. The plans were to drop me off at a hotel right along the highway. We arrived in a thunderstorm. The bus driver manuvered the bus so that I would alight under shelter. When I got to the front of the bus to leave I told driver thank you very much and good bye in Polish -- I don't have the courage to try to right that correctly. I was very humbled when the driver kissed my hand. Please know he was not a stranger. He had spent the entire two weeks with us in Zakopane as well, but at the same time we had only greeted each other and never even had a conversation, obviously due to my poor Polish!

Food / Help with pudding directions: 0,5 minuty = 5 minutes or half a minute? [9]

Hi, I tried a cherry pudding mix. It didn't come out quite like I expected, but on the other hand, some things in Polish cooking aren't the same as American cooking.

Krsysztof -- I work about a 60 hour week, but I often read what's on Polish Forum, but don't have agreat deal to contribute.

Looking forward to June 23, 2009 when I board the plane again for Poland.

Food / Help with pudding directions: 0,5 minuty = 5 minutes or half a minute? [9]

Thank you very much for such a quick answer. Now I'm off to the kitchen.

Food / Nalesniki [23]

Don't give up on eating nalesniki. In different part of Poland they are very different, not to mention what happens when one adds different cooks into the mix in each part of Poland. Try elsewhere than where you decided you didn't like them.

History / Good Polish History resource (book), any suggestions? [11]

The Davies book is certainly authoritative. One that I like very much is A Traveller's History of Poland by John Radzilowski. This is very readable and "user friendly."

Life / The people of Poland are wonderful!!! [26]

I can add a story. I got on a train at Warsaw Wschodnia on my way to Torun. The train was quite crowded, but I figured it would get better as we wandered through Warsaw. At Warsawa Zachodnia a father and daughter boarded. The train was still a bit crowded so the father sat down across from me and his daughter across the aisle.

My bag was still on the floor and the father asked in Polish if he could place it on the rack. I certainly agreed, using my very elementary Polish.

As the train became less crowded the father moved over to sit by his daughter. As we left the station right before Torun I began thinking I was going to have to put together enough polite Polish to get the bag down as it was too high for me to reach. Just about then the man asked me something in Polish. I said, "Sorry, I'm an English speaker." His daughter turned to me, and said in English, "Where are you going?" I explained Torun was my stop and she explained it was the next stop. The father sat my bag down on the floor. As we entered the edge of Torun, I prepared to walk to the end of the car so I could leave the train quickly. The father said, "Nie nie." So I sat back down. When we got into the Torun station he got up and carried my bag out to the platform and then went back on the train to continue the journey with his daughter.

I could add story after story like this about my journey around Poland this past summer.

Travel / Clothes/shoe shopping in Szczecin [8]

I bought two pairs of shoes in Torun and have received nothing but compliments on them! I was excited to finally be in a place where I could buy shoes that actually fit my feet.

Travel / Poor Edward in Kraków [28]

Someone mentioned above a train from the airport in Krakow to the center city. Yes, it's there, but the cost is not 150 euros, it was 6 PLN (zl) last summer. Doubt the price has risen to 150 euros in a few months!

Life / You know when you have been too long outside of Poland when... [23]

For me the Krowki is all gone, and you say Proże, but nothing happens. Sorry if I spelled this wrong, I speak little Polish and spell even less.

Travel / Is it safe to take a train in Poland? [35]

I'm an American grandmother and I rode trains in Poland this past summer by myself, day trains only, and 2nd class only -- and never encountered anything but thoughtful, courteous, and helpful Polish people.

And about the above comment where Polish train toilet flush, it's the same place as the rest of the world!

Travel / Saturday day trip outside Warsaw, any suggestions? [4]

Kazimierrz Dolny is one of my favorite places. I wouldn't say Wilanów is out of town. It's truly part of Warsaw, or are there two Wilnów locations?

Love / Attending a Polish wedding on my own (I'm English) [25]

I was staying at a manor house that was hosting a wesele. It looked pretty much like a United States wedding reception. There was even a seating chart. However, what was different was that it went on until 4 AM in the morning. When I was out and about at 7:30 AM or so, there were two young couple very much still under the weather of the vodka. I think you will be very comfortable. It sounds more like you are uncertain about being alone, than uncertain about being in a different country. Life doesn't always have to come in pairs. have fun!

Love / Traditional wedding rings in Poland [11]

First rings are worn on the right hand, not on the left as in many other cultures.