News / "We buy out Poland, Hungary, and Romania!" - the President of Israel [74]

Kuchi, it was a joke. And he didn't say buying out, he said buying up. Huge difference. Don't you realize that's there's a lot of foreign capital being invested in Poland these days?

Grzegorz, that comment was so ignorant that I'm not even going to respond to it.

Travel / Trip to Gdansk from Liverpool [9]

spititus, I'm going to Hel on Sunday with some friends. I'll update this thread when I get back. Yeah, I guess by British standards Gdansk does get hot, but me 30 C is naormal and it's only when it gets to 35-40+, which it did every summer when I was in Northern VCalifornia did I consider it hot, but never HOT. To get that, you have to go to the desert. But that's just me.

Actually I was talking about this with my Polish friends yesterday. They think 23 is hot, and my British friends tell they wilt when it's 25. Ha! But to each his own.

I sort of agree about the restaurants, but you can't get decent Mexican food here. Oh well, it's not the end of the world.

Work / Moving to Poland with my work - which town should I choose? [25]

I live in Gdansk and wouldn't live anywhere else in Poland because of the sea. If that's not important to you then any of the cities suggested above should be fine.

Night life ends at 28 or 35? Ha! I'm a 60 year old American (don't look a day over 59) and I'm out a lot. It's not about age; it's about attitude.

Smiling on the streets isn't something I've seen in any country I've ever been in. It's only when you meet people that you experience warmth and humor. It's the same the world over.

Travel / Trip to Gdansk from Liverpool [9]

In the Old Town there are lots of museums, some of which are free on Mondays. Not that it matters because regular admission isn't much. Bars and restaurants are here in abundance. Restaurants range from simple and inexpensive to fancy and pricy, just like in any other city. But they're not like the UK or US. Even the best ones aren't that fancy. They tend to be smaller and many are under ground.

Same with bars. My two all time favorites are Absinthe and Szafa, about a two minute walk apart and right in or on the edge of Old Town. Absinthe is special. Hard to describe why but on a good night you'll meet people from everywhere.

Gdansk is a port so it's on the sea. There are beaches here and they're sandy and nice. Sopot is beautiful and it's only a 20 minute and 3.10 zl on the train. Much smaller than Gdansk, it can be pretty trendy, but I'd go there if I were you.

When to come? Any time would be great depending upon what yiou want. It starts to get colder in October, though it's never hot here by my Southern California standards, and November and December were just cold, grey and wet. It wasn't very cold this winter, only a few -0 C days but the Baltic wind can chill you so if you visit in the winter bring warm clothes.

Spring didn't start this year until around the first of May, and we had more snow in March than we had all winter, but even then it wasn't much. Although it's been a very dry May, expect rain no matter when you visit and pack accordingly.

I don't mean to paint a gloomy picture. I love Gdansk. The Old Town is beautiful and because of its Hanseatic heritage it's unlike any other Old Town in Poland. It's also the birthplace of Solidarity and although its influence today is more subtle, I find it reflected in the Polish people I come in contact with every day.

I'm an old American guy who makes a living here teaching English. I've learned so much from them, and they range in age from sixteen to sixty, students, lawyers, doctors, business people, etc. We often talk about how wonderful this city is. It truly is.

I wouldn't live in any other city in Poland because I love the sea. If that's not a big thing for you, there's always Krkaow.

For more info check out gdansk-life.com

If we meet in Absinthe we'll lift a pint together along with the rest of my international friends. Hope this helps.

Travel / Trip to Gdansk from Liverpool [9]

I live in Gdansk. Great city. Beautiful Old Town, lots to do. What are your interests? What kind of advice do you want? Better bok your place soon as tourist season is beginning.

Travel / Gdansk and Krakow travel -- need tips [21]

I suggest showing these posts to your boss. Maybe common sense will prevail.

Travel / Gdansk and Krakow travel -- need tips [21]

You won't see anything in Gdansk except maybe the Old Town. Not enough time. I really don't see the point in a trip like this. What kind of story can you possibly write from this that would be of any interest to anyone? Oh. Maybe you could title it "How I Didn't See Anything in Gdansk in the Few Hours I Was There And Very Little More of Krakow". Completely pointless and you'll miss the charms and beauty of both these cities.

Travel / Gdansk and Krakow travel -- need tips [21]

Only 24 hours in each city means you will only scratch the surface. Gdansk Old Town is beautiful, a must see place, but there are a lot of tourists. Still, you have to go there. There is a large mall-Madison-only a few minutes from Old Town and very close to the main train station, plus there are shops all around Old Town.

Food and drink? Yes. Lots of choices. Restaurants range from inexpensive to expensive, just as you would expect. Look at gdansk-life.com to see some restaurant reviews. I recommend the hotel Wolne Miasto. Graet location in Old Town, but I don't know what your budget is.

Don't worry about a translator. A lot of Poles speak English and if you only know a couple of words in Polish you'll be just fine.

Transportation in the city is very good. You can catch a tram or bus to anywhere you want to go, and taxis are not expensive. Gdansk is not a small city but the places you'll want tio see during such a short trip are all very close to each other.

It may rain so be prepared. Check out wunderground.com for five day forecasts. When you go to that site on the first place there is a box with a magnifying glass. Type in the name of the city you're interested in and you'll get current and future weather. If you have any more questions you can post them here or email me.

You'll have a great trip.

Travel / The Tri City: I can see why you live here [17]

Sweltering? What means this word? Can you even use it pertaining to Poland? Before my first visit to Poland in the summer of 2006 I baked in 40+ C temperatures in Northern California for about 10 days. When I stepped off the plane in Warsaw to a balmy 30 C day I felt like I was in heaven, but my friend Chris said all his Polish friends had told him that they thought they were going to die because of the heat.

It's all relative. How hot is it supposed to get here?

Work / Just about to move to Gdynia - teaching job Help! [24]

Hmmmm. Your bf and his brother are "infamous"? What kind of crime are they into? Or maybe they're politicians. Same thing. Joke.

Work / Just about to move to Gdynia - teaching job Help! [24]

So true. You'll love trojmiasto. If you like seafood, go to the pier, turn right and walk abou 500m until you get to Barracuda. Good restaurant.

Travel / The Tri City: I can see why you live here [17]

yep bubba, that's why I live here. But beyond the beauty it's the people that make this place special to me. I'm going to a BBQ tomorrow afternoon with some American (1) and Polish friends (3). Who cares if it rains or shines? We'll have a good time anyway. It's nice to be here.

Life / Where would you rather live in Poland? [54]


Sail or power? I've been sailing and racing all my long life. Maybe I can help. If it's power, it's a lot easier. You just have to learn how to handle the throttle(s) and learn how to leave and return to the dock. It's not as easy as it seems.

Work / Just about to move to Gdynia - teaching job Help! [24]

Looking for an English teaching job? They're available but it's slim pickings until next fall. I can't give you any advice because I don't know your qualifications. Care to share? Most of the better schools want a university degree and a CELTA or some other tefl equivalent. Go to job search and search through the Poland forum. You'll learn a lot.

BTW, I'm in Gdansk. True, last week was beautiful but it's raining today so naturally I got up at 8 and walked through the Old Town for an hour. Winter was long, gray and wet, but not that cold. -0C a few times. It's the Baltic wind that makes it more than a little nippy. Very little snow but from late October until sometime in March I didn't see any blue skies and even less sun. We had more snow in March than during all the previous months combined, and even that small amount only lasted a couple of days. I'm from Southern California but it didn't bother me. I'm guessing you're from the UK. I think Mika's advice was sound-visit when the weather's not so pretty and see what you think.

Gdynia's a nice place but I much prefer Gdansk. Frankly, I think moving anywhere for a bf/gf is destined for failure, especially at your age. If that's your choice though, I wish you nothing but good luck. I know a few Brits here, mostly in Gdansk and they're a lot older than you are but I'm sure you'll meet some no matter where you are.

If I can help, let me know. When are you coming to Poland?

Food / Is there McDonalds, KFC, Pizza Hut etc in Poland? Food survey. [222]

I haven't found a decent Mexican restaurant in the tri city. El Paso in Oliwa has a good reputation but I think that's only among people who've never eaten authentic Mexican food. I won't go back again. I'm from the San Diego area and good Mexican food was everywhere. I've given up on eating it here unless I make it myself.

And In-n-Out makes the best burger by far.

Pizza here can be good if you find a place that doesn't drown it in ketchup. I can't quite understand that but it happens.

Fresh seafood and lamb are almost impossible to find.

Life / Where would you rather live in Poland? [54]

I'm not from Scotland. I'm from Southern California where the climate's just a tad different from Gdansk but I love it here and wouldn't live anywhere else in Poland.

Life / Where would you rather live in Poland? [54]

The climate in Gdansk isn't as cold in winter as it is in other parts of Poland, and it's cooler in summer as well. Yes, there's usually a wind but I like that. I also like rain and we get plenty of that. Snow? Not much last winter. We had more in March than in any other month but it only lasted a couple of days.

If living by the sea is important to you-it is to me-you'll love Gdansk. And the Old Town is the prettiest in Poland.

Travel / Understanding travel within Gdansk/Gdynia [9]


Ain't that the truth!

I'm going to Sopot tomorrow afternoon from Gdansk to teach and will get off at the main station. It's the second station In Sopot. I got off at the third one once but don't remember its name.

Anyway, the main station is Sopot is not called Sopot Glowny, just Sopot. Exit the station, turn left and after a short walk you'll find yourself on Monte Cassino. Well worth a look. Stroll down it to the pier.

Travel / Understanding travel within Gdansk/Gdynia [9]

Trains run about every 10-15 minutes. From Gdansk they leave from platforms (peron) 4 and 5 (the ones nearest to the front of the station) but you won't miss them because you'll almost always see a yellow and blue train waiting to leave when you get to the platform. I've never waited more than five minutes for one.

From Gdansk to Sopot it's a 20 minute ride and costs 2.80 zl. It takes 40 minutes and 4 zl to get to Gdynia. Buy a ticket and punch it in the validating machine at the foot of the stairs to Peron 5. DON'T ride without a ticket. There are ticket inspectors who will ask to see yours. It's not good if they catch you without one. Big fine. I haven't seen an inspector during my last four rides, but that's the exception, not the norm.

Twice there was a train on the platform when I got to the station so I ran up the stairs and jumped on without validating my ticket. Both times a ticket inspector asked to see it, speaking Polish of course. I just put on a dumb $hit face and said "what'? The first guy wrote the date and time on the ticket, effectively validating it (meaning I couldn't use it again) and the second guy just handed it back to me and moved on.

Sorry, can't help you with the pass question. I just don't know but I'll ask around.

When are you coming?

News / US dollar still falling... Change in Poland? [37]

The dollar has been dropping like a rock against all currencies and I don't see a bottom yet. I don't think you'll ever see 1:1 but it's going to be a long time before it starts to rise again. If you can afford to sit on your dollars until then, do so.

Will it go under 2? Probably, and probably within a month or two.

Study / anyone with CELTA? [73]


What city, what school, what salary? More details would be helpful. I know several teachers already in Poland who might be interested.

Study / anyone with CELTA? [73]

I have a CELTA and teach at Bell in Gdansk. Teachers make anywhere from 2400-5000+ zl a month depending on the school, whether you have a contract or not, how many hours you teach, whether you have private lessons or not, what city you're in, etc. Lots of variables here. Although you can teach in Poland without a CELTA, many schools require it. You might want to check out eslcafe, essayforum.com and tefl.

Travel / Visiting Gdansk / Sopot for first time [27]

How was your trip?

Travel / Gdansk at Easter [15]

Szafa said they'll be open on Sunday so at least you'll have a couple of places to go.

Travel / Gdansk at Easter [15]

You'll be fine. Maybe I'll meet you at Absinthe.

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

I never heard the term made redundant until last summer when I met a Brit who had been. We call it laid off. Boot/trunk, bonnet/hood, cinema/movies, on holiday/on vacation, favourite colour/favorite color, in hospital,in the hospital, at the weekend/on the weekend, fancy/like, pay rise/pay raise etc. I'm not going to touch the word fag! It's fun to compare the differences.

Travel / Gdansk at Easter [15]

Oops, make that Absinthe. Have you booked already? I don't know the Aureas but I'll check it out for you. Do you have a map of Gdansk, either in hand or online? Absinthe is behind the LOT building right by the Armory. Don't miss it. Laugh! It'll be about the only place open.

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

I'm an American from San Diego and I teach in Gdansk. It's true that the books are in British English but my students love to learn the difference between British and American English. After all, they watch movies from the US and more than a few have either visited there or want to go.

Travel / Gdansk at Easter [15]

Yeah, the snow was beautiful. The Irish pub will be closed. I'll check out a couple more for you tonight.

Abinthe will be open Monday afternoon. I'll find out Szafa tomorrow. Where will you be staying?

Travel / Gdansk at Easter [15]

I really don't know. I've never been to an Irish pub since I got here-that's not why I came to Poland. But I pass one on my way to work and I'll ask today.