Travel / What are Your Best Poland Travel Tips? [64]

You guys are awesome!
Has anyone ever visited a shop in Krakow called Perfekt, which designs and sews folk costumes from many different regions of Poland? I am very interested in obtaining some clothing that reflects my Carpatho-Rusyn heritage - both from the "old days" and some that I could wear today (such as a nice vest or coat). This is the only business I've found by searching on the Web. Do you know of it, or of others?

Travel / What are Your Best Poland Travel Tips? [64]


Since we'll be flying in to Krakow, and hope to spend a couple of days in and around Krakow (seeing the city itself, visiting Auschwitz, visiting the salt mine), we were thinking of just starting our time there instead of coming back to it later. Are there any good hotels in Krakow that will meet you at the airport and take you to the hotel? How long would the trip be from Krakow to Auschwitz? How much time should we budget for touring Auschwitz? How much time for the salt mine?

Travel / What are Your Best Poland Travel Tips? [64]

Speaking of dangers - what effect has the radiation plume from Chernobyl had on Polish crops and livestock? For example - can you safely eat mushrooms that you pick in the southeastern portion of the country? Can you safely drink the water? Are there any limitations or quarantines in effect?

Travel / What are Your Best Poland Travel Tips? [64]

Thank you natalka, Iskra and Zgubiony!
I think I'll just bring a few rolls of toilet paper with me - it won't be the first time, believe it or not! :-)

Regarding:


I found this information in various places:

"No immunizations are required for entry. The following medical vaccinations are desirable or helpful for travel to Poland to prevent contagious diseases in Poland: hepatitis A & B, rabies, typhoid and tetanus.

A common disease is the tick-borne encephalitis. Travelers are at risk who visit or work in forested areas during the summer months and who consume unpasteurized dairy products. Vaccine for this disease is not available in the United States at this time. To prevent tick-borne infections travelers should take precautions to prevent tick bites."

Because we hope to do some hiking in the hills around Wysowa, the tick information caught my attention. We have plenty of ticks here (northeast USA) as well, and because I spend so much time in the woods collecting mushrooms I am accustomed to wearing plenty of protective clothing, even when it's hot out. But I'm wondering if anyone has had experience with ticks in that area?

And what's the story about consuming unpasteurized dairy products???

Travel / What are Your Best Poland Travel Tips? [64]

Sorry I've been away for nearly a week - that's what coming down with a nasy virus will do for you.
Lots of great ideas from my friends on this site - thanks for keeping them coming.
Although I don't expect to utilize the public transportation a whole lot, I appreciate the input on the unreliability of the schedules. I know a guy who was in the same area we'll be traveling to earlier this year and he confirms your comments. He was a lot more good-humored about it than I think I would be, so I'd better learn to lighten up before we get there.

What brands of toilet paper and bottled water would you recommend we buy? How much change might I need to use a pay toilet? Who the heck is doing all this drink-spiking and stuff-stealing on the trains and buses?


- hey, that's awesome! Do you live local to Wysowa or Pielgrzymka? Have you ever been to the Lemko Vatra in Zydnia? I'm going to time our trip so that we're there for that. It could be the best opportunity we have to find or get news of distant relatives.

Thanks again, everyone!

Travel / What are Your Best Poland Travel Tips? [64]

That's a very sweet tip - thanks so much. I never would have thought of that.

Travel / What are Your Best Poland Travel Tips? [64]

Hi, everyone,
Thanks for all the input so far! Keep it coming - I'm feeling more confident with each message!


I usually carry travelers checques when I go on vacation - it sounds like this will not really be convenient in Poland, especially when it comes to exchanging currency. So I should just plan to use my charge card to get whatever cash I need? That DOES sound safe!

Travel / What are Your Best Poland Travel Tips? [64]

Thanks, Fisz!


I'll do that - thanks.


Will I need to do a currency exchange? Is Poland on the Euro system? Are US dollars widely accepted? Accepted at all?

Travel / What are Your Best Poland Travel Tips? [64]

Thanks. We'll only be able to go so fast with an 84-year-old with us, so I'm not concerned about hurring. Interesting point abotu a back-up plan - care to elaborate? Hitching rides is definitely NOT on the agenda, unless we break down someplace.

Thanks again!
Anybody else?

History / Memories of the Polish communist era [115]

Fascinating and interesting posts. Thank you all for your honesty and willingness to share your thoughts and feelings with us.

Food / what kind of sauce should I make for my gołąbki? [63]

I make mine with 50% tomato juice and 50% vegetable broth, with two or three tablespoons of white vinegar. It's also not a bad idea to dip the cabbage leaves into vinegar (either straight or diluted, your preference) before rolling up the golabki.

Work / Any Law Enforcement Officers (Police) from Poland here? [40]

Heh - good one, Grzegorz

Work / Any Law Enforcement Officers (Police) from Poland here? [40]

Nice detective work there, Lir!

News / Black Immigrant living in Poland infects dozens of women with HIV [174]

What kind of a job does the educational system in Poland do of educating young people about the dangers of STDs? This (these cases of HIV infection) could be a symptom of a much bigger national problem.

News / Polish religious pilgrims crashed coming back from a pilgrimage [62]


I guess that IS one possibility, but maybe GrandeSande's motives were less sinister. I've seen other posters request that those of us for whom english is our first language provide input on the language's use by those for whom it is not. I know there are plenty of jerks out there who enjoy nothing more than shoving something down somebody else's throat (it tends to make "small" people feel better about themselves), but, unless you already have a history with this person, you may be doing yourself and them a disservice by assuming that's what they had in mind.

How do YOU feel about getting input on your use of english on this forum? Do you welcome it? How about other posters?

USA, Canada / Americans who call themselves Polish - how do you feel about that? [112]

Sorry, but I've always thought that way! I never thought of myself as having an accent, but thought of others from other areas of the country or different parts of the world as having one. Is it perhaps that everyone thinks their local lingo is "normal?"

USA, Canada / Americans who call themselves Polish - how do you feel about that? [112]


Sorry, but that's so common with us Americans, isn't it? We often identify ourselves by the nationalities of our ancestors. I'm 50% Carpatho-Rusyn, 25% French Canadian and 25% German - I can't help it; that's what I am. Sure, I'm an American - that goes without saying, but I'm also an amalgam of all that came before me.

Lots of times this starts out as a defense mechanism when parents or other adult role models begin expressing their racism to younger people - "don't hang around with that dumb Polak" or "what do you expect from a Jew?" Kids want to find out what "they" are, so that they are prepared to respond to taunts from other kids. Other times it's simply a source of family pride - everybody wants to be Irish on Saint Patrick's Day, but it's only those with Irish blood that can proudly proclaim that they are. This is part of what makes America and Americans interesting.

News / Polish religious pilgrims crashed coming back from a pilgrimage [62]


Then what are you wasting time on this forum for? Go ahead and pray.
Let us all know over


how that works out for the "bereaved strangers."

News / Polish religious pilgrims crashed coming back from a pilgrimage [62]


I am SO with you, Daisy!

News / Polish religious pilgrims crashed coming back from a pilgrimage [62]


Yes, how unfortunate that the non-religious are uncomfortable offering such valuable and consoling cliches as "I'll keep them in my thoughts and prayers."

Life / Toastmasters clubs in Poland [6]

"masters of toast?" No, but that's cute. I may be able to use that some day - thanks!

Life / Toastmasters clubs in Poland [6]


You can go here to find out about the worldwide organization and what the benefits of membership are: toastmasters.org/

I sent an e-mail to the District Governor of District 59 to ask if there are any clubs in Poland. There are! According to her:
"To answer your question: Yes, there are already three clubs in Poland (2 in Warszawa and 1 in Szczecin) and there are three more which are on their way to charter (in Lodz, Bydgoszcz and Szczecin)."


The toastmasters you are referring to are very different - they are professionals, oftentimes not very skilled at doing anything more than introducing the bridal party and giving a toast or two - not very complicated public speaking. In Toastmasters you learn how to deliver high-quality speeches and presentations by developing your skills in a supportive and instructive environment (your club). There are also speech contests in the spring and fall, the most important one being the International Speech Contest, which starts at the club level and advances through the Area, Division, District and Regional levels to put 10 contestants into the World Championship of Public Speaking (which, this year, is being held in Phoenix, Arizona, USA on August 18). To win this contest is very prestigious and often leads to very desirable employment opportunities.

I have enjoyed being a member of Toastmasters for many years - I started 10 years ago with one club, dropped out after 3-4 years due to scheduling conflicts, but joined another club where I work 2 years ago. It's a lot of fun in addition to being a great way to develop and refine your speaking skills. I highly recommend it.

Travel / I'm going to Poland in September! [33]


Yes, so I've been told. The competition isn't so fierce here, but there are still the "old" Poles and Italians you have to look out for. Usually I can find whatever I want when the season is right, so it's no problem. I know I'd be up against many more shroomers in the "old country," but even if I don't find much I would enjoy the activity anyway.


Enjoy it! If you can, please post some photos - I'd love to see what people pick there.

Travel / I'm going to Poland in September! [33]

Ooh, I envy you. September is exactly when I'd like to travel there - it's prime time for mushroom hunting.

Love / Ok GUYS....THIS is what women want...stop acting lame [238]

Glad to see you dropped the old avatar, Ken - is this new one significant?

Love / Which is better? Being single or being in a relationship? [92]

al-anon-ireland.org


It IS sad - for them and for their loved ones. There is a place for them - the rooms of Alcoholica Anonymous. There are rooms for those of us with family and friends who suffer with the disease - the rooms of Al-anon and Alateen. The rooms are everywhere. To find the ones in Ireland, go here:

al-anon-ireland.org
There you will be among your kind, Ken. I've made some of the best friends I've ever had in these rooms - relationships that I cherish. You can do the same.

For some reason the "30 mark" tends to bring people into the rooms - many people start when or soon after they turn 30. You're right on time, buddy.

BTW - many a romance has been kindled in these rooms. Healthy romances.

Love / Which is better? Being single or being in a relationship? [92]


Interesting that you should mention that - particularly at your age. Is there alcoholism in your family? Have you ever battled it yourself? If "yes" to either of these questions, it could be significant.

Food / Polish romantic dinner (suggestions)? [30]

Cook for her what she likes. Regardless of ethnic origin. Just making the effort should be romantic enough, but, just in case, have a local take-out place on speed dial! :-)