News / What are your 10 fave things about Poland? And 10 least favourite? [130]


That's part of what I liked about Poland. It felt to me as life did 40 years ago: no-nonsense, wholesome, down-to-earth. I would be sad to see it disappear and be replaced by today's mad rush and superficial lifestyle.

News / What are your 10 fave things about Poland? And 10 least favourite? [130]

I wish I had said that. Matyjasz, you're the best.

With oratory skills like this and your intellect, I foresee a very impressive future for you.

Syrena

Life / The strangest things in Poland [468]

Hi Miranda, I don't know what I'm doing in Canada anymore. I need a change. I thought 'to live' but I have not decided yet.

News / What are your 10 fave things about Poland? And 10 least favourite? [130]

Best for me:

in Warsaw-

the Muzeum Ziemi (Earth Science Museum) on Na Skarpie;

the stone terrace a few steps away, surrounded by ancient urns, where I sat to eat my sandwich one day (does anyone know the name of that park? in the area of ul. Rozbrat between Ksiazeca and Prusa);

the Polonia Palace;

Wedel's on Szpitalna;

the roses and lace curtains everywhere;

the quietness;

the low-rise buildings that allow the sky and the sun to be seen in the city;

the light colour of the buildings (white, yellow);

the chestnuts that fall from the trees in October;

the ceramic tiles;

the outdoor observation decks at the airport;

the chandeliers in one of the shops on Jerozolimskie;

elsewhere -

the Baltic;

the space between the trees in the forest that allows you to walk easily in it (unlike most Canadian forests that are unbelievably bushy compared to that);

the castles, elegant but not overdone;

the width of the aleja and ulica;

the Polish men who remind me of my father.

Real Estate / Poland Property...should I be scared [127]


What exactly do you mean? I was considering buying property in Poland.

News / What are your 10 fave things about Poland? And 10 least favourite? [130]


No. I'd rather leave you feeling miserable :)

Life / The strangest things in Poland [468]


I loved our landing at Warsaw's airport. If people clapped, I could not hear them but I just loved how we were able to disembark right on the tarmac, a la Casablanca. And, lo and behold, there actually were people on the observation deck ! Something I had not seen at a North American airport since I was a child (security prevents outdoor observation in many airports now). For me, it was simply magical.

Life / The strangest things in Poland [468]

Aaaargggh....

Study / Entering college in Poland. [23]


I would be interested in such a thread, also.

News / American Interests in Poland [6]

As for me, it was also to better understand a wonderful Polish-Canadian man I had met.

It was also for historical, economical and political reasons. In 2002, I was in Normandy and I read a thank you note, written by a Polish person, to the Canadian soldiers who died in Dieppe in 1942. The note had been left at the cenotaph in the Main Square in Dieppe, during the 60th anniversary ceremonies of the landing in Dieppe. That's when Poland first registered on my radar.

Poland was affordable for me (although it was a lot more expensive than I had thought) and I believed that my money would have the greatest impact in Poland. I definitely wanted to visit a country that had survived history with such courage and conviction. I would go again in a second.

Finally, I was surprised and delighted to find a bit of shared history with France, being a French-Canadian. (We are very different from the French though.)

I liked the fact that it is not overdone (I like simple elegance), with few high-rises and a beautiful countryside (I loved the lace curtains everywhere, the roses, the tableware - I could go on....

Life / Polish Parents are controlling [58]

We don't know each other very well, Krysia, but my heart goes out to you. I am not saying that this is what is happening with your mother but my mother was diagnosed with something called 'Borderline Personality Disorder' when I was about 12 years old (she was 52 at the time). She was terribly difficult, especially with me, her only daughter. She is now 88. Last year, I had to take serious measures to stop her because she was indeed making me crazy. I don't feel comfortable going into too much details here but if I can help by listening and by sharing a bit of my own experience, I will be happy to do that.

Take care.

Life / Polish Parents are controlling [58]


I'm not saying it is the case with your mum but sometimes, mothers behave differently with their daughters and with their sons. And nobody wants me to start on this one tonight...

News / Americans Visiting Poland [13]

Yes, that's a good point. Especially when talking about organized tours.

Feedback / National Admin appreciation day! [18]

Patrycja, your post is a great idea. You're a very sweet person.

News / Americans Visiting Poland [13]

I was in Poland in October 2005 for two-and-a-half weeks. I'm in my 40ies (late 40ies - god it hurts to say that). I spent some time by myself in Warsaw and later joined a tour led by Orbis from Warsaw. Out of about 40 people, I was the only Canadian, and the only one of non-Polish descent. Most travelled often to Poland as tourists and some were there for the first time. It seemed to be a pilgrimage for them in a way. I don't have any statistics on tourism but it seemed on the rise. Hotels were sprouting up in downtown Warsaw and I often hear of other Canadians increasingly interested in Poland as a tourist destination. I did my bit selling it to every one I spoke to.

Life / Polish Parents are controlling [58]


Sorry but I have to disagree with you, Aniah. Mothers are not all like that.

What you described reminds me of my own mother. In spite of all her good qualities, my relationship with her was always difficult.

Life / Polish eagle - which way the head faces? I need it for tattoo [28]


Hi Palbicki, are you pleased with the tattoo? I remember hearing that the eagle in the Oval Office at the White House faces right in times of peace and left in times of war (or is it the other way around). :)