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Posts by carlb  

Joined: 8 Aug 2007 / Male ♂
Last Post: 13 May 2009
Threads: Total: 4 / In This Archive: 4
Posts: Total: 20 / In This Archive: 17
From: Leeds & Lublin
Speaks Polish?: learning
Interests: Music (playing & listening), sport, travelling, design, and general pottering

Displayed posts: 21
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carlb   
13 May 2009
Life / Questions about Lublin [39]

during the week the "native speakers" meet at the "Alternatywa" in the Chopina Str.

Really? I never knew that. I've been there quite a few times but have never heard an English voice.

you probably know Dave (English guy in his 50') he's always there on the weekend.

I know him. In fact It seems that everybody in Lublin knows him.
carlb   
13 May 2009
Life / Questions about Lublin [39]

Sounds good ukpolska, I'm always eager to replenish my English ale palette! Let me know your plans nearer the time. I also have a polish teaching colleague who is a bit of a connoisseur when it comes to fine English beer!

SteveM - If you are interested, my school will almost certainly be recruiting another native speaker for the next school year. If you let me know your situation/intentions, I could speak to my dragon, err I mean angel saint of a director!

the 3 buses that get me to work and Plaza are NEVER on time

Well, compared to English buses, polish ones run like clockwork! Do you use trolleybuses? These tend to be on time more often
carlb   
10 May 2009
Life / Questions about Lublin [39]

-buses are never on time so ignore the schedule! They come eventually....

Sorry but i'd have to disagree with you. I catch buses everyday and more often than not they are always on time. I can think of only a few instances when the bus hasn't turned up or was late.

I'd agree with all your other points though:-)
carlb   
8 May 2009
Life / Questions about Lublin [39]

stevenmyer:
How is the mass transportation?
It's ok... well, maybe it's not warsaw, but.... night communication is crap (most probably - only taxi it's an option if you're gonna party at night)

There are night buses, which from my experience are safe and efficient.

stevenmyer:
What is the night life like?
There are discos, pubs, clubs full of young people..... but generally, Lublin sleep at night ;)

Lublin has a huge number of students and I would say that the nightlife is generally good. There's plenty of pubs/bars/clubs etc. And best of all they are all relatively cheap (compared to in Britain anyway).

How is the arts culture there?

I think that Lublin is quite cultural but on a local and national level. You won't find many international renowned bands/shows/exhibitions etc but you will find a steady stream of local talent which can be just as good . I've seen some really amazing bands and alternative films in the local culture houses.

What are the people like?

Generally, two arms/legs but of course, you sometimes find exceptions;-)
carlb   
15 Apr 2009
Life / Is it possible to have a NIP without PESEL? [16]

Apologies if this question has already been answered in another post but I couldn't find it.

I'm currently going through the process of declaring my year earnings in order to reclaim a tax rebate. I have a NIP number but not a PESEL. Now, the office have told me that it's impossible to have a NIP without a PESEL. ARGGHH! Why would they even issue me a NIP number if this is the case?

Can anyone help to shed some light on this?

Kind Regards
carlb   
25 Feb 2009
Food / Asian food - is it easy to find in Poland (particularly Lublin)? [39]

what does that mean, exactly? Is that like an instant ramen brand (or that like?)

SuperNoodles is just an instant dried noodle brand, popular with students!

I figured I'd have to ween myself off the stuff, still nice to have it every once in a while. Plus I assume making it yourself isn't more $$$ than going to a place and ordering the finished product *shrug*

Well going to a restaurant doesn't guarantee a quality 'finished product' anyway. Having tried quite a few oriental restaurants in Poland, I can tell you that you'd be better off saving your money and buying the ingredients yourself.

I've attempted to make some Thai and Indian dishes here and they usually turn out alright. In most cases you'll have to use some alternative ingredients due to availability, but that sometimes adds to the excitement of it!

Good luck!
carlb   
24 Feb 2009
Food / Asian food - is it easy to find in Poland (particularly Lublin)? [39]

DN – Go to Delima (formally Stokrotka), in The Lublin Plaza. You can find many 'world foods' such as housin sauces, marinades, bamboo shoots, udon noodles, tortillas etc. Unfortunately, most of these products aren't very cheap because they are usually imported.

lol... maybe it changed owners, cuz that's the one i went to in 2000 or so in my post up top (the one about the weird kung po)

I've been to this place recently and I had a similar experience to Elssha. I decided to play it safe and order chicken chow mein. It came in a large glass soup bowl (with a spoon) and the noodles tasted like super noodles! Maybe it was just me because everyone else in the restaurant seemed to be enjoying themselves.

After numerous disappointing experiences with foreign cuisine in Poland, I've decided to give up and stick to Polish food.
carlb   
27 Dec 2008
Life / New skyscraper in Warsaw... [58]

Some nice renders there but with the current economic downturn, I'd be surprised if any of the proposed talls get underway within the next couple of years.
carlb   
3 Nov 2008
Travel / ŁÓDZ..is it worth a visit? [25]

Cheers for the videos, i must say that £ódź looks like a really vibrant and interesting city. To be honest, travelling through £ódź by train has always given me the impression that it was rather grey and unfriendly. My mistake it seems

I never knew it had the longest commercial street and largest city park in Europe. That's a pretty decent accolade to have!

I look forward to visiting soon.
carlb   
2 Nov 2008
Travel / ŁÓDZ..is it worth a visit? [25]

Can anyone advise whether it is worth a visit? What does it have to offer and would a weekend allow enough time to explore the sights?

Also, which hotels offer best value?

Thanks in advance
carlb   
30 Oct 2008
Travel / LUBLIN. Any facts needed about the area. [16]

I agree that prices are not so much cheaper in Lublin. I've been living here for a year now I paid 1600zl for my first apartment in the city centre. I now pay less than a 1000 but live 4-5km from the centre. It's almost impossible to live in the centre for less than a 1000zl (unless you want to sleep in the kitchen!).

Average prices approx are:
Beer 4-5zl,
Kebab - 8zl
Bus ticket - 2.20zl
Meal for two - 50/60zl
Petrol - 4.5-5zl
Single red rose ;-) - 6zl

Can anybody compare this with western polish cities?
carlb   
17 Sep 2008
Travel / Skiing - Slovakia or Poland? [12]

Hey,

I'm trying to organise a ski trip for this winter but I don't know whether I should go to Slovakia or Poland. I've been told that polish resorts like Zakopane are over crowded in January and that you must wait in long queues for ski lifts.

What are the pros and cons, and which would you recommend Slovakia or Poland?
carlb   
12 Jun 2008
Life / Polish Youth - are they violent? [71]

Poles are real men.They do not need weapons

I've been in Poland for 6 months and last week I was approached by 4 youths who started shouting at me in an aggressive manner. I tried to ignore them and kept walking. Another 2 youths then joined the group when one member (the smallest one), pulled out a knife from his pocket. Luckily I was alert (and sober) enough to run like a cheetah! So sorry if I don't agree with you about real Polish men not needing weapons.

I'm not so naive to think that this kind of behaviour is subject only to Poland. I'm from England for one. (The media there make a living reporting violent crime!)

Saying that, I do feel more of a general antagonism on the streets of Poland. Until this recent incident I thought that these youths just liked to look like 'hard men' but generally not get involved. Now I'm not too sure. In Poland I look over my shoulder more than I did in the UK but maybe that's because I feel more alien here and I haven't acclimatised fully.

Have such intimidating youths always been so visible in Poland or is it an increasing trend?
carlb   
11 May 2008
Travel / Central Wings cancel certain flights to Poland [38]

Centralwings are a nightmare

Has anyone flown to Manchester with Central Wings recently?

I have a flight booked (Krakow to Manchester) for the end of June but all recent reports suggest that they are about to go bankrupt. It seems they've cancelled all flights to Manchester without informing the passengers. Furthermore, it's impossible to contact Central Wings customer service as their call centre is out of reach and they don't reply via email.. ARRRGH!

I also didn't buy insurance with this flight. Does anyone know if it's possible to claim a refund if the airline cancel flights?
carlb   
2 Mar 2008
Law / Do EU members need RESIDENCE CARD IN POLAND [29]

I'm in a similar situation having been here for 4 months. I contacted the British Embassy asking them to clarify whether I must have a residency permit if I leave Poland and come back at a later late. They replied with the following formal response:

It is obligatory for all EU Citizens to obtain a Residency Registration Certificate confirming their stay in Poland (Zaświadczenie o Zarejestrowaniu Pobytu Obywateli Unii Europejskiej w Polsce).

The application for the certificate must be lodged in person to the appropriate Regional Voivod Office (Urząd Wojewódzki) after 3 months stay in Poland.

It doesn't mention what the implications are if you do not obtain this certificate.. Anybody know?
carlb   
25 Jan 2008
Life / ADVICE ABOUT A GOOD GYM WITH A SAUNA IN LUBLIN [13]

Hi Ovika

I also wish to join a gym but the winter months don't encourage me to venture outdoors much!

I know of two gyms (below) which have sauna and gym facilities in Lublin. Strefa Fitness is in the supermarket - E Leclerc.

Strefa Fitness
ul. T. Zana 19(81) 525 66 21 - strefa-fitness.lublin.pl

Siłownia Magnum Sports-
ul. Bernardyńska 3, Pałac Parysów, II piętro, tel. 668 240 141-42

If you do go to one of these gyms, please let me know if they are any good!
carlb   
29 Nov 2007
Life / Pensions for immigrants [11]

A 50 year old Polish woman I know has told me that she's going to move to England for the 5 years to work. After this time she will return to Poland and claim a UK state pension (approx £80 a week).

For her, 1600zl a month is a very comfortable sum for a pensioner (excluding her Polish pension).

Does anybody have any information on pensions for immigrants? I can't find any official info but if what I've been told is true, it's a damn good idea!
carlb   
16 Aug 2007
Work / American in need of a job in Lublin [32]

Hey Steve,

I'm also moving to Lublin in October. Fortunately, i've already been offered an english teaching job. However, it took my Polish girlfriend to email numerous schools in order to get any kind of response. I didn't have any teaching experience or qualifications either. Not only that, my girlfriend went to the job interview for me!!!

Before i got this job, I went to Lublin to visit all the schools personally. My advice is to keep emailing and if all else fails, just go to the schools when you are there.

Fortunately, native english speaking job searches are not heading towards Lublin by the coach full, so you should be fine.
carlb   
15 Aug 2007
Life / Polish Music Scene [9]

Merged: Unsigned and local music scenes in Poland

Hi

I'm moving to Lublin in October and as a freelance session musican from England, I'd be v. interested in playing with some bands in Poland, if the opportunity arises.

Does anyone have any experience of the unsigned and local music scenes in PL? Except for the obvious prefered musical styles (pop, metal, europop etc), are indie/mod/retro genres popular in Poland?

Cheers