Posts by Merendis

Merendis

21 Apr 2009

Food / Cooking + Food Shopping Advice In WARSAW, Please... [10]

Apr 21, 09, 17:47 - Thread attached on merging:
Specialty food in Warsaw

I'm trying to find some xanthum gum (in Polish Guma ksantanowa) to do some gluten-free baking. I'm in Warsaw and I've tried the health food store at Zlote Tarasy, but they didn't have it. Does anyone know of any other specialty food stores around here where I might be able to find some?

Merendis

28 Feb 2009

Life / Warsaw palm tree - interesting or a waste of money? [20]

Woah woah woah woah

You could have some sort of modern art - something that represents something known only to the artist perhaps. I remember seeing something on a plinth that looked like a big pile of sticklebricks.

Are we still talking about the tree in Rondo de Gaulle?

It's fake. It IS art, an art installation entitled "Greetings from Jerusalem Avenue" that they just kept there because people like it. Please don't talk about keeping it alive!

Merendis

28 Feb 2009

Life / Warsaw palm tree - interesting or a waste of money? [20]

It's certainly not a waste of money, it's art! I've seen much uglier, less whimsically and humorously ironic public art in cities.

To me, the installation itself isn't that spectacular to look at, but the fact that it is there is extremely endearing and it puts a smile on my face.

Merendis

3 Feb 2009

USA, Canada / Poles of Montreal! Lend me your eyes! [5]

If you are trying to catch a nightbus home and live east of centre, you will end up at Frontenac metro station. Chances are you will sit there frozen for quite some time and an interesting group of people will form around you.

Right across the street is Dom Polski, and catty-corner is a Polish bakery, but those are the only outward signs of Polish heritage I ever caught in Montreal. However, I'm pretty sure I saw a Quinceanera disbanding at Dom Polski once, so I doubt the hall serves its original purpose.

Merendis

29 Jan 2009

Life / Does anyone compost in Poland? [3]

I know Poland's agriculture is pretty famous for having escaped collectivization and being relatively effective and organic before it was cool (at one point before joining, Polish food couldn't be sold in EU member states because of lack of modern farming techniques and it was seen as a safety issue, while at the same time much EU food could not be sold in Poland because it contained unacceptable amounts of preservatives).

However, does this translate to ordinary people composting? Maybe in those garden plot things I see here in Warsaw? In the states and Canada there are worms that turn organic waste into really rich soil and there is no smell involved at all. It'd be the perfect way to lower waste output and give my houseplants something nourishing to grow in! Anything like that here?

Merendis

25 Jan 2009

Life / Drugs for a cold/fever in Poland? [11]

About all these drugs... are there any that will just knock you out? In the states NyQuil is popular for that, but there, the "Noc" versions on the drugs I've been recommended (Apop) just seem to contain a tiny amount on benadryl, which never helps knock me out of those awful waking-nightmares that accompany fevers for me.

You might want to try Rutinacea, it's a tiny little dietary supplement pill that tastes like Airborne, one of those vitamin c etc. type things that is supposed to boost your immune system. That and overdosing on water usually help me get over these things pretty quick.

I hope you feel better!

Merendis

1 Dec 2008

Life / What is the easiest way to get to IKEA in Warsaw (from downtown)? [15]

I found the 706 on the ZTM website... it seems to pick up only at Okęcie where lots of other lines leave off... am I reading this correctly?

Also, any idea how long this trip takes from the center?

Finally... real men can appreciate that Ikea is a useful source for necessary household goods that are cheap and of a certain quality and aesthetic without losing their "animal attraction". Such sexual forces should able to transcend time and trend. If you are relying on outdated gender roles, decoration, cooking methods, and... sanitation for the creation of your "animal attraction" then I'm sorry and I pity you a bit.

Merendis

24 Nov 2008

Life / Thrift Stores in Warsaw [9]

I just moved to Warsaw from Canada/America, and over there, among certain groups, thrift store shopping was a very popular activity. It is like a treasure hunt and shopping combined, and you have a much better opportunity to find something unique, or even sometimes a real vintage treasure!

Are such stores popular here? What is the word in Polish for thrift store? And does anyone know any good ones in Warsaw?

Merendis

27 Oct 2008

Life / Unusual Sightings in Warsaw - millions of black crows... [22]

I've seen the crows too! Watching them it is easy to understand the role they play in the European Fairy Tales I've heard, they just have so much more character than the crows I've seen in the middle of America.

I've seen the "crows" you call rooks, but also smaller "crows" with very light blue eyes- what are they? Is it them or the rooks that are flying in these massive formations?

Merendis

26 Oct 2008

Life / Buying an Electrical Adapter in Warsaw [13]

Please help! I'm an American living in Warsaw for the year and I only have one rather clunky adapter that I inherited and more devices that that which I would like to use. Where could I go in Warsaw to buy an adapter. I've been browsing around malls but so far haven't found anything like Circuit City of Radio Shack in which to purchase one. Any ideas?

Thanks!