Travel / BIKING in POLAND [75]

14 is pretty pivotal. What kind of example is he getting from you and from other male role models in his life? Who are his heroes? How much interest does he have in the opposite sex? What do his friends do? What sports interest him?

You can always cancel the cable, kill the Internet connection and disable the video games. I'd recommend enticement rather than punishment. Let him witness how good life can be when you're healthy and active, and see the rewards that come from it.

Study / Study Music in Poland? [26]


I'm learning that. I know he plays a number of instruments, but doubt that he has the formal training that might be required for admission. I think he has the potential to be a talented musician, but he seems to lack the work ethic and dedication that it would require. Still, I intend to keep prompting him to be more than he seems to be satisfied with being right now.

Thank you for your concern and your valuable input, Switezianka. (By the way, I'd love to know the story behind your screen name, and what it means.)

Travel / BIKING in POLAND [75]


That's unlikely, as much as I'd like to be there. If I can make it twice a decade I'll consider myself fortunate.

How old is your son, and how overweight is he? What efforts have been made so far to bring his weight down? If he's not doing a lot of walking, that would be a great place to start. Societies in which the people walk a lot and/or go up and down stairs a lot tend to have healthier citizens who live longer. Keep him away from all refined sugar and high fructose corn syrup, too. Unfortunately, that stuff is in just about everything that's processed and sold. Good luck.

Study / Study Music in Poland? [26]


Thank you! I will definitely look into this.


He's definitely not. At least not that I've seen so far.
I appreciate your input on this subject. My guess is that he and his parents will have little interest in having him study abroad, but I wanted to make all opportunities available to him, just in case. Besides, if he was attending school in Krakow I'd have reason to come to visit more often.

Travel / BIKING in POLAND [75]


Thanks for the invitation. Actually, I returned from my first visit to Poland on July 23. I loved it and hope very much to return in the not-too-distant future. When I do, I hope to spend time hiking and biking in the Beskidis, which I absolutely love. It would be a great vacation if I could spend it riding through the Lemko villages and hills between Gorlice and Blechnarka. What a gorgeous place.

Travel / BIKING in POLAND [75]


Ooh, boy, does that sound good! Too bad I live in the US.
Does anyone cycle anywhere in Gorlice County? Specifically - south from Gorlice, through the hills to Wysowa?

Study / Study Music in Poland? [26]

Thanks for the invitation! Actually, I just made my first trip to Poland, from 7/15-23/08, and loved every minute of it. I know have good friends in Gorlice, so I'll come back just as soon as I can.

Study / Study Music in Poland? [26]


You guys are awesome! Thanks so much!

Study / Study Music in Poland? [26]


Again - thank you. I will investigate.

Study / Study Music in Poland? [26]

Thank you, ski and Grzerorz_.



What about the other 8? Are there any good ones in Krakow, or nearby to Krakow?


Does anyone know of any exceptions to this? My nephew does not (yet) speak Polish.

News / lets say nice things about poland [32]

You guys are driving me nuts with all this! C'mon, look at my avatar! English, please! What do these names mean? Can you tell me the genus and species you're discussing? How about posting some photos of what you're finding there? I'll gladly reciprocate with photos of my finds here in southeastern NY State, USA. Do we need a separate thread for mushroom enthusiasts?

News / lets say nice things about poland [32]

The trees (at least in the southeastern section I visited) are vibrantly alive and healthy - just gorgeous. The traditional food dishes are delicious, especially when prepared by traditional people. The home-made vodka is fabulous. The open-air museums are meticulously built, maintaned and staffed. The roads were much better than I expected. Krakow (Balice) Airport was very easy to get in and out of. Krakow itself is a city not to be missed - stunning and fascinating.

Travel / How Can I Not be the "Ugly American" Tourist in Poland? [97]


Yep - not unusual at all. It may have been members of a (possibly extended) family, where obesity is the norm. I see it all the time. You go anywhere in America where there is a good size group of people and count how many of them are overweight vs those who are not - if you get an even split it's a relatively healthy sub-section. Usually the majority are overweight - it's just a question of to what degree.

Travel / How Can I Not be the "Ugly American" Tourist in Poland? [97]


I know - but we did that because my 83-year-old father had enough of just walking down street after street. It seemed more appropriate than taking one of those electric shuttles.

Travel / How Can I Not be the "Ugly American" Tourist in Poland? [97]


There were so many - touring Krakow by carriage, seeing the villages where my grandparents were raised, speaking with local people with first-hand knowledge of some of my father's first cousins, viewing the Beskidis and Lemko villages, celebrating my Rusyn ancestry with other Rusyns - not to mention the delicious meals we enjoyed!


Unfortunately, this is common in America - obesity is rampant. You have to be diligent to avoid processed foods and all of the high-fructose corn syrup that is marketed to you so powerfully. Most do not, so the slovenly American is the typical American.

Travel / How Can I Not be the "Ugly American" Tourist in Poland? [97]

We did pretty well, even though we dressed as we usually did. My father was clearly not an experienced traveler - he was unpacking new duds from its packaging material. He even unwrapped a new pair of shoes that he'd never worn before! Can you imagine toting a pair of shoes and not even knowing if you are comfortable in them? What a riot.

In Krakow there were obviously tourists from all over the place - very few looked anything alike in their styles of dress. It was great. So many languages being spoken! Being toted around by our guides the way we were, I guess it left no doubt as to our status as tourists, but our guides were so great that the trip went far beyond expectations - even hopes. We had a blast in Poland and I can't wait to make my next trip there.

Food / Krakow Restaurant Recommendations [17]

Thanks again, everyone, for all of your hints, tips and advice. Our trip was incredible - we loved every minute of it. With all of your excellent recommendations, it was easy to just hop into the one that we came across when it was time for dinner - Chopskie Jadlo it was. Expensive, but very tasty. So was the carriage ride through Krakow afterward, as a matter of fact. What a great city!

Travel / How Can I Not be the "Ugly American" Tourist in Poland? [97]


Yes, I agree - they don't look like they could possibly contain anything worthwhile. There are so many pockets that I'm sure I'll lose track of what's where. It's flexible, so I can stash it just about anywhere, and who cares if it gets soiled? I can machine wash it! I showed it to my wife and she was so impressed with it that she wants one, too. There were a number of sizes, colors and configurations to choose from, so I'm sure I'll be getting more of these for other purposes as I need them.

Again - thanks for the great tip.

Life / Taking gifts to Poland [21]


Hey, thanks for that link! Good info!

Travel / How Can I Not be the "Ugly American" Tourist in Poland? [97]


That's where I went, and I got what I need. Excellent advice!


Thanks, buddy. You too. I'll expect mushroom photos.

Travel / How Can I Not be the "Ugly American" Tourist in Poland? [97]


No, I'll be landing next Wednesday, staying only a week, so you won't have to avoid me while you're there. Late August and September are actually the months I'd PREFER to be there - much better mushroom-hunting in those months. That'll have to wait until next time. I'm giving some thought to organizing a mushroom foray from the US to the Carpathians. The Hotel Glimar in Wysowa looks to be an ideal base of operations for such an event. I'll know better in a couple of weeks, after I've been there.

Travel / How Can I Not be the "Ugly American" Tourist in Poland? [97]

I'd say many, but probably not most. Most lack the lung capacity to do so - they're so out of shape it's ridiculous.

Do we tend to speak faster as well? I guess that would depend on where in the US the person comes from - southerners would speak much more slowly than those of us from the northeast.

News / Come on EU lets keep it together. [20]


Be careful what you ask for - you might just get it. In southeastern New York we have hundreds of thousands of Latinos (illegal immigrants, mostly) filling the low-level jobs (landscaping, construction, etc.). As a result, our streets are filled with them day and night. They rent an apartment and move in several families' worth of people. They're generally hard-working and honest people, but of course the dregs of their societies make their way here, too, so we have to deal with them. I'm all for embracing our newest wave of immigrants, as long as they take the legal road to citizenship, but we've been overwhelmed and are paying many prices for "cheap" labor. Don't kid yourself - it's no cheaper in the long-run.

Travel / How Can I Not be the "Ugly American" Tourist in Poland? [97]


Actually, it seems you can! I'm definitely learning. The fanny pack stays home!


Exactly what I'm hoping to avoid. I'm grateful to all of you for the input you've provided. I'll put it to good use. Landing in Krakow in one week! Can't wait!

Travel / How Can I Not be the "Ugly American" Tourist in Poland? [97]


Well, if I didn't already believe that my father was descended from Lemkos, there's proof right there. He'll fit right it.


Why, thank you, sir.


Got 'em! Thanks for the idea, though.

Travel / How Can I Not be the "Ugly American" Tourist in Poland? [97]


Now THERE'S an idea! And I have one of those stores nearby, too. Sweet. Thanks!

Travel / How Can I Not be the "Ugly American" Tourist in Poland? [97]


Oh, yeah, much more manly, that is. Jeez. A metro-sexual I'm definitely not.
I agree that the fanny/hip pack looks kind of ridiculous, but I'm not trying to pick up chicks - just toting my stuff around. The backpack solution doesn't work for me, either - it's just too bulky and inconvenient when I need to switch from sunglases to reading glasses or back again. Yes, I know they make reading glasses that are also sunglasses, but then you have to keep switching to regular glasses when you go indoors - there's no perfect solution.

Maybe I'll just stuff my pockets after all.

Travel / How Can I Not be the "Ugly American" Tourist in Poland? [97]


OK, I have no idea what you're talking about - what is a mandbag?

Travel / How Can I Not be the "Ugly American" Tourist in Poland? [97]

Hi, everyone,
Thanks for all the great feedback - I'm feeling a lot more confident now.


Agreed - just didn't know if "myself" had any potential to create unpleasant social situations. Don't think so, now.


I usually do, so that's good.


I think I can handle that. If not, my father will be able to. He learned from his father and still does pretty well with the language.


This was the one I was most worried about, after reading those other threads. I'm expecting to be VERY happy throughout my trip, and my facial expressions usually match (and broadcast) my moods.


Ooh, do I ever intend to! Excellent advice - thanks.


Guilty on all 3 counts. Yes, I still use the hip pack. Yes, I'm THAT old. Sigh. Hey, it's either that or stuff every pocket I have with my reading glasses, sun glasses, and assorted pocket stuff. Go ahead - make fun.


Nice to meetcha!


Sweet. Thanks again, everyone!