Life / Winters Coming Up...How long can I stay out? [6]

I like to walk through Old Town Gdansk, especially early on Sunday morning. I've been doing this almost every Sunday for two years. There are few people out and I have the otherwise crowded streets almost to myself. I often see the same people and we nod to each other.

Who cares about being a so called outcast? Just get out there and enjoy it.

Life / What's the weather like in Poland? [81]

Light snow in Gdansk tonight.

Life / Who has moved to Poland in the last year? Swap stories. [115]


Not the ones I know, and certainly not the majority. In fact, in my experience they're exactly the opposite. So if Poles are so bad, why do you continue to live here?

Life / IS THERE NFL PROGRAMS IN POLAND [60]

Yeah, Vikings and Green Bay-gonna be great. I just got sopcast and maybe I can see it. If not, I'll be content to watch Formula1.

The Chargers are going to be playing in the post season and I think they'll surprise a lot of people, including me.

Travel / Visiting Warsaw, need some advice. [3]

If you're interested in history, the museum of the uprising is a don't miss! 1944.pl I think that's the link.

Food / Tatar - a raw meat dish [28]

I like tatar. I made it in the US, have eaten it in France and even in a Polish home on Easter Sunday amidst all the egg dishes. Delicious.

Use beef, NEVER pork. There's a huge difference. You can get trichnosis from undercooked pork so imagine what raw pork can do to you.

You can't compare sushi to tatar. Try sashimi (raw fish) instead. Excellent.

And ceviche, what a treat! I'm getting hungry.

Life / Poznan - best city to live in Poland (according to "Przekrój") [10]

Best city in Poland? For me it's Gdansk, hands down. Among many other reasons, it's on the Baltic and that's important to me.

Food / Is there any other Polish seafood exept herring and carp? [30]

Seanus

Last time I checked, the US was in North America. Carp is not seafood; it's a freshwater fish. Well, not really. It lives in your toilet. I didn't like it in the US and I sure don't like it now. Fresh seafood is hard to find, and I live in Gdansk.

I've seen fresh shrimp occasionally but it didn't look very good. Oysters? Not gonna happen. Oh well.

Life / Has your move to Poland been successful??? [15]

To answer the OP's question, yes, hugely so.

Travel / Visiting Krakow in December, what do you think? [24]


Ain't that the truth! Anyway, weather is a state of mind. If you think it's bad, it is. If you think it's good, it is. Forget about the weather and just go to Krakow.

Travel / Visiting Krakow in December, what do you think? [24]

December can be cold and wet. What else would you expect in winter? Dress warmly and make the best of it.

Life / Expats in Poland: Are you going to live in Poland long or short term? [65]

Dzekuje. Hey, I remembered another word!

Work / Can an American in Poland on a tourist visa freelance? [7]

I agree, but to be safe you'd better check it out and not listen to us non experts here.

Work / Can an American in Poland on a tourist visa freelance? [7]

My first reaction is to say no because of the invoice. You're on a tourist visa. If you did it cash in hand with no invoice you could probably get away with it, but otherwise I'd suggest that you pass on this.

Life / Minisurvey about living in Tricity (Sopot, Gdynia, Gdansk) [26]

Sobieszewo Island is beautiful. I spent two weeks there teaching at a summer camp and loved the forest and the sea although the town itself doesn't offer much. Still, that's part of its charm.

Ah, the wind. I call it the Baltic breeze and I really like it.

Life / Minisurvey about living in Tricity (Sopot, Gdynia, Gdansk) [26]

I live in the Old Town, Gdansk. Great location just five minutes from my school (I teach English) and Absinthe, the best bar in the trojmiasto.

I came here because I'd always wanted to live andwork in Europe but as an American (non EU citizen) it's almost impossible to get a decent, legal job in France, Italy or Spain. I've been interested in Poland and Polish history since I was 8 (I'm 61 now) and wanted to experience life in Poland. I've been here for two years and I love it. I plan to stay for the rest of my life.

Best bits? The people, the beauty of the Old Town with it's unique (for Poland) architecture. The sea, of course. I won't live inland. Piwo and golonka. The weather's fine. I'm from San Diego so that may surprise you, but weather to me is a state of mind.

I really can't think of any worst bits. True, Polish is very hard to learn but that's part of the challenge and adventure and it keeps my mind working.

We'll have to meet for a beer soon and compare stories.

Life / Expats in Poland: Are you going to live in Poland long or short term? [65]


Me too. I live in Gdansk, a beautiful city. When I came here two years ago I didn't have a job, didn't have any money, didn't know anyone, and barely spoke Polish. Now I have a job that I love (I teach English), still don't have any money, have lots of friends, most of whom are Polish, and now I know three Polish words: piwo and, uh, I forgot the other two.

Travel / Gdansk - need some information about it [21]


Yep. I've been living here for two years. I could tell you about the woman in the window near Neptune and the bas relief of Diana on Mariacka and why it's so unique, but I ain't gonna tell you until you come here and I can show them to you myself. Personally acquired knowledge is a whole lot better than anecdotal, and I'll even buy you a piwo at my favorite place in the process.

Travel / Polish Zoos and their animals [27]

If you liked the San Diego Zoo, you'll love the Wild Animal Park near Escondido. Operated by the San Diego Zoological Society, the same folks who run the zoo, it's like a trip to the African veldt. Go once and you'll see what I mean.

Travel / Holidays in Sopot, Poland [22]


I love this place. Beautiful location, good food, reasonable prices. Hard to beat. Gotta go again when I have a free Sunday in October.

Travel / Polish Zoos and their animals [27]


True. It's a very pretty zoo, although a little small. I've been to a much better zoo, but that was in San Diego so it doesn't count. We're talking about Poland here.

Life / What to bring, ship, pack for our move to Warsaw [67]

I've been doing the same thing for two years. My Polish friends keep telling me to write a book. I'm working on it.

Life / Expats in Poland: Are you going to live in Poland long or short term? [65]

If you define long term as the rest of my life, I'd say I'm here for the long haul.

Life / What to bring, ship, pack for our move to Warsaw [67]

Just got a review of Palestra (sp) from an Ameerican buddy of mine in Warsaw. He said it was the best pizza he's had in Poland. I've got to try it soon.

Life / I'm an American who lived in Poland for 6 years. I'm not welcome anymore. [169]


movetopoland

As an American, I have to say not all of us, although I appreciate the sentiment.

Work / Teaching English in Gliwice. Schools? Can I start after September? [28]


Nothing wrong with that at all. I understand it completely, and I think it's commendable. I offer you the peace pipe.

Have you been to Poland before?

Work / Teaching English in Gliwice. Schools? Can I start after September? [28]


Not me. I'm American. My reply to your original post was based solely on its content. Your response just validated my comments.

Whatever. Sorry, but I've seen too many people who came here for all the wrong reasons, realized that they brought their problems with them, and then went back to wherever they came from.

You can get hosed by a Polish woman just as easily as by an American. Substitute any nationality you want for Polish and it's still a truism. It's all about attitude.

Work / Teaching English in Gliwice. Schools? Can I start after September? [28]


Scary thought, but spot on!

Work / Teaching English in Gliwice. Schools? Can I start after September? [28]

[quote=delphiandomine]Actually, you're not considering his actual background. A corrections officer (I love that name!) is likely to take no nonsense from learners - and with the Polish language, he's likely to be a very effective teacher if he commands respect.

Oh, I did consider it. Obedience based on authority is a far cry from respect in the classroom based on trust and mutual respect. And nonsense from learners? Hmmm. Haven't experienced that yet. Although I speak Polish, I teach English, and guess which language rarely is heard in my classes.It ain't English.

I agree about the degree, but again, coupled with a CELTA, it opens more doors than would otherwise be possible.

Work / Teaching English in Gliwice. Schools? Can I start after September? [28]


Thanks Harry. I really wasn't sure about that. I've been waiting for you to chime in on this thread.

Next time I'm in WaWa,
I'll stand you to a pint or five. It'll be nice to meet another curmudgeon.