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Posts by mylesg  

Joined: 16 Jun 2009 / Male ♂ 		Last Post: -
Threads: Total: 7 / In This Archive: 4
Posts: Total: 14 / In This Archive: 11 		From: USA
Speaks Polish?: no

Displayed posts: 15
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mylesg   
17 Dec 2009
Law / Residence card-Karta pobytu issuance [5]

Thanks for this great answer. So what do we do at airports (customs)- without a card for a few months, (and if we want to travel)? Do we show our US passport and the decision letter to either get into or out of Poland?
mylesg   
17 Dec 2009
Law / Residence card-Karta pobytu issuance [5]

I just successfully finished going through the "painful" Karta Pobytu process. We were called and told our decision was done and we can pick up our decision document. Unfortunately I did not take my translator with me to completely understand this next part.

We received a (positive) decision letter for each family member, we signed the forms they gave us and got the stamps on the letter. Then went and paid the 50PLN for each card at the Kasa. It was lucky, as our 90 day tourist VISA was about to run out.

The Decyzja letter indicates we have been granted residency for a fixed period not to exceed.....

Here comes the question-

However, we did not actually get a physical card (yet)- this is where I needed my translator.

Do they make the card and you have to go back and get it? Do you need other documents for actual card? What is the actual card used for??? How long does it take? All I have are the decision letters with all the stamps on it.

Nothing is mentioned on how/when I get an actual card.

Finally, do they put some sort of stamp in your passport- or is that what the card basically does?

PS- if it makes any difference to the above, we have US passports.

Thanks
mylesg   
24 Nov 2009
History / Good Polish History resource (book), any suggestions? [11]

Merged: Post-1989 History book about Poland

Looking for an English language book that focuses on Poland AFTER 1989. Most general surveys only mention the period 1989- I am looking for a little more on things such as privatization, Walesa and future administrations, the 1995 crisis, EU membership, post-89 cultural changes- etc.

Thanks
mylesg   
21 Nov 2009
Law / Staying in Schengen beyond work VISA for tourism [6]

I have a 10 month work VISA to stay in Poland until a certain date (I am a US citizen). I was thinking of leaving Poland just days prior to the expiration- but then going to a few other Schengen countries and spend some of that hard earned money. But my work Visa will by then be expired.

Can you get a simple 90 day tourist VISA after your work VISA and how?

Just to be clear- my work VISA is for Poland, but I will be staying in other EU countries after it expires. Then I will go back to the US.

Thanks
mylesg   
4 Nov 2009
USA, Canada / Calling an ERA cell phone from North America [13]

Merged: Era sim use outside of Poland

Since arriving in Poland, I have used an ERA pre-paid sim card. I am off to Germany next week? Will it work? If so- how is it charged? I have looked all over their site, but cannot find a mention of taking your ERA sim to another country.
mylesg   
25 Oct 2009
Life / Polish Mass traditions [17]

Merged: Long talk at the very end of the Polish Mass

We have now been in Poland for a month and been to Mass at 3 different churches. We find one difference between the American Catholic Mass and the Polish that we cannot yet understand.

In the American Mass, just prior to the final blessing- the priest makes a few quick announcements.

At all the Polish Masses we have been to- the Priest either reads something long or talks for another 10 minutes. Seems like it is almost a second homily. However, with our lack of Polish language skills- we are wondering what is this long reading/lecture is, just prior to the final blessing?

Thanks
mylesg   
27 Sep 2009
Life / Communion, why do only half of church-goers in Poland take it? [41]

I have now been to two Masses in Poland (in two different cities). The church is full- but when it comes to receiving Communion; it seems that only about 1/2 the church-goers go up to receive it. Curious if anyone knows why? At our church in the states, you always see a few not receiving the host, but I was surprised at 1/2.
mylesg   
28 Aug 2009
Life / macbook prices in poland [12]

Wow- That's $400 to $500 more than the US, I wonder why? White Macbook in US is $949 (2700 PLN) and the aluminum is $1094 (3100 PLN) (prices obtained from MacMall.com).

Quite a price premium!
mylesg   
15 Aug 2009
Life / Cell phone contracts for 1 year in Poland [5]

I want to extend this again. We are on our way over to Poland live for about a year. We have two smartphones (Iphone and Treo). Prepaid is an easy option- but seems quite expensive, particularly when you look at their data rates.

My plan is to bring over my two unlocked smartphones and hopefully get a 1 year contract (just need the sim) with one of the local carriers with a fixed monthly rate. Does this seem like a reasonable plan? Anything else I need to consider?

Any recommendations on a providers to do the above? I won't do a lot of calls-but I do use data quite bit (particularly on the Iphone).

What could I expect to pay for a plan with data and lets say 500 minutes of talk time (for all phones).

Thanks for any guidance.
mylesg   
28 Jul 2009
Life / Cellphone/blackberry with pre-paid card [5]

thanks, but without the internet stuff- I have no use for a BB. I really need a solution where I can use the internet and apps.
mylesg   
27 Jul 2009
Life / Cellphone/blackberry with pre-paid card [5]

We are moving to Poland for 10 months. I want to get my wife a basic phone with data that can use a pre-paid sim (since we will not be there long enough for a contract). There are really only three internet apps she needs: google maps, a translator, a currency converter.

My thought was to purchase a used unlocked Blackberry Curve here in the States on ebay- then get a pre-paid sim card in Poland. As for the BB, I do not care if it has push email or anything like that- just apps and internet service. She will like the BB over the Iphone b/c of the physical keyboard.

How is my logic on the BB Curve and the pre-paid sim?- any other ideas or obstacles?

Myles