Travel / Visiting Warsaw: [Travel Video] Days One, Two and Three (Now Complete) [30]

Hey, very nice video! Warsaw has always been my favorite large city in Poland and you guys captured it nicely. There are so many more hidden gems in Warsaw besides the Old Town. Hope you capture them on video as well. I look forward to viewing your next one. What type of video camera are you using?

Real Estate / Settling in Poland. Where to buy inexpensive properties? [9]


According to "Gość Niedzielny" and Church statistics, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Tarnów in Poland is the most religious, with 72.5% weekly Mass attendance. This is followed by Rzeszów (68.6 %) and Przemyśl (64.8 %). The referenced article has an excellent color map as well.

History / UPA barbarian murders on Polish and Jewish neighbors during WW2 [150]

JulietEcho, yes, many horrible acts of murder have been committed during and after WWII by the Germans, Russians, and Ukrainians. Many Jewish people still claim that Poles committed crimes against them, and many Slavic Christians blame Jews for participating with the post war communist authorities for torture, death, deportation and suppression against their people.

I think who ever was individually responsible for any acts of crime should be punished. Entire nations, nationalities, or religions in the aggregrate should not be collectively responsible for the acts of individuals.

I am of both Polish and Ukrainian descent, Christian, born in the USA, and yet, am I responsible for the many bloody wars and conflict that took place between Poland and Ukraine? Absolutely not. I think a partial solution is constructive and honest dialogue between people and nations.

Travel / Warsaw, Poland included in Lonely Planet's Top Ten Cities for 2009 [26]


Keep in mind, the list is for "2009". I would assume that "Lonely Planet" considers these cities worth visiting as an alternative to the more popular, common world cities. It wouldn't be suprising if they considered the term 'adventuresome' in their assumptions.

Travel / Is Poland mostly plains? [57]


Peasants or "pheasants"? Here in my 'mountain' village, there are plenty of pheasants in my forests, but no peasants. Peasants essentially existed in Europe during the early 1900's and prior to that.

Travel / Is Poland mostly plains? [57]


Wouldn't the term 'farmer' be more appropriate these days? :-) "Peasant" can be a bit of an insult. The village I live in is full of farmers. The advantage? Fresh, tasty, healthy produce, and clean air.

Travel / Is Poland mostly plains? [57]


The preceding photograph is that of a 'farmer'. :-) This is a typical sight in the village I reside in. It is common for farmers to utilize horses instead of tractors. It's ecological as well!

Travel / Is Poland mostly plains? [57]


I live in the Tarnów 'region', about 40 km south of the city itself, in a village located in the Carpathian foothills, 310 meters above sea level, not far from the Dunajec River valley. Tarnów is a mid-sized 'city' (not a village) with a population of about 125,000.

Travel / Is Poland mostly plains? [57]


Yes, another farmer! :-) Milk without the chemical additives. Not efficient, but clean.

Travel / Naturist places in Poland [16]

I enjoy relaxing nude under the sun in my back yard. :-)

Travel / Is Poland mostly plains? [57]


Yes, I am! My village is only 40 kilometers north-west of Wola Cieklinska.

Travel / Is Poland mostly plains? [57]


The Carpathian Foothills go another 30 kilometers north from where I am, near the small town of Zakliczyn. The foothills actually extend to the edge of Tarnów, where they end. It really is wonderful here, and peaceful. I don't miss life in the big city at all. This is what I have been searching for while I was working in the banking sector, for a long time. At first, I wanted to buy a farm house in either France or Italy, but Poland turned out to be a much better choice. The villages in Poland are gorgeous.

News / Helena Wolinska dead [90]


That is good news. I don't have any sympathy for a devious Communist like herself. She murdered, tortured, and imprisoned countless innocent Polish Catholics.

Travel / Is Poland mostly plains? [57]

I'm American born, of both Polish and Ukrainian descent. My mother was born in Poland, and my father's parents were from the "Kresy" region, near Tarnopol.

Since my mother was a native Pole, and both of my father's parents had a Polish passport and citizenship, I was able to obtain Poiish citizenship, passport, and a Dowód Osobisty.

Travel / Is Poland mostly plains? [57]


She was born near the village of 'Zalipie' (the Painted Village), just north-west of Dabrowa Tarnowska, not far from the Wisla river.


I'm from New York City. I've been in Poland for over 6 years now. I came here to fulfill a life long dream of owning a slice of Europe and living here. Another reason was to take a temporary leave of absence from the stress and noise of the big city, and the declining quality of life in the USA.

In the USA, I own property inherited from my grandfather who had a large farm upstate New York. LIving on a farm in Europe seems so much more interesting. It's that feeling of being back in the old world, where our parents and grandparents came fronm which makes it nice. There is so much history and culture here. I often imagine how it was here long ago, when the Tartars invaded the very spot I now live in. This entire area is dotted with World War I monuments. History is a hobby of mine.

News / Helena Wolinska dead [90]


Very true. Playing the ultimate 'victim' has it's benefits though and that's why many Jewish groups fail to acknowledge that there were indeed Jewish war criminals, and numerous communists that committed terrible crimes against gentiles. The 'victim' card gives their community a pseudo justification to be on constant 'defense' giving many leading Jewish organizations the 'right' to label someone 'anti-semitic' when even questioned. It also is cause for the USA to funnel billions of $ in aid to Israel. Every nationality, religion, and ethnic group has their moral rightious and ugly demons, only, not everyone wants to admit it. Case in point: Wolinska, Michnik, and numerous others. I wish society and individuals could only be more fair.

Travel / Is Poland mostly plains? [57]


You are very close to where my grandfather had his farm and where my family's property is located! It is located in Greene County, near Windham, NY. Small world....amazing.


Yes, I have plenty of family here in Poland and also in Ukraine. Here in this village, I am by myself. The transition took time because I had to learn the Polish language a little better. Also, I spent the first 3 years constructing my new home and renovating the barn. Overall, things went well. I hope to commute between the USA and Poland once I fully complete my work in Poland. This year, I made trails in the forest surrounding my house. A great deal of wood and weeds had to be cleared out. I'm thinking of buying a 4 wheel ATV to ride around in the trails. My forest has some nice gulleys, hills and flat areas. Great for some challenging riding, or to sip on a beer and take a stroll!

News / Helena Wolinska dead [90]


Harry, it is you who are fabricating lies. There were never any "Polish Concentration Camps". During the 1950's, after WWII, no democratic Poland ever existed. In fact, a truly independent Poland only began existing after 1989. Poland was occupied by the Stalinists (like Wolinska and Berman) from the end of WWII to 1989. Anything done by that Communist Polish Government was usually dicatated by the Soviet Union.

Learn your history Harry.

Life / What to wear for winter in Poland [51]

"What to wear for winter in Poland?"

Wear nothing and make good love! That should keep anyone warm for the entire Polish winter...just keep that wood stove burning and the bottle of wine on the side! :-)

Travel / Is Poland mostly plains? [57]


In the Catskill Park area, there are so many in that area, but here is a good one:

Sleepy Hollow
5636 Rte 28 (PO Box 210)
Phoenicia, NY 12464


Yes, the topography is quite similar, although, the climate is a bit cooler in the Catskill mountains due to the higher elevation there. The Tarnów region in Poland is considered the warmest in the entire country.


Mushroom hunting is outstanding here! The entire population of this village enjoys the hobby, as do most Poles. I also like it! My father and older brother know mushrooms better than I do and it is their specialty hobby.

I have no contacts in the Boryslav region of Ukraine, but I do have many in Lviv, Berezany, and Tarnopol.


The prices aren't that bad and comparable to USA prices. ATV's are extremely popular here, especially in my area. It's perfect for riding ATV's , motorcycles, and mountain bikes here. The terrain is very diversified with hills, flat areas, ravines, roads, and dirt trails. It's the outdoor adventurer's paradise to say the least. :-)

Do you plan to buy something in Poland, or move here one day? When is your next visit to Poland going to be? If you do come here, please let me know.

Travel / Is Poland mostly plains? [57]


During my 6 plus years living here, the snow fall has been varied and inconsistent. I would say, there were 3 winters of deep snow (sometimes about 1 meter), and the other 3 winters had very little snow. The last two consecutive winters have been light.


Well, I run a very nice guest house here, extremely affordable. Free internet included and all the mushroom hunting you wish, on the premises. The theme is 'agrotourism / ecotourism', reflecting the beautiful natural surroundings and environment, and the fact that my house is so 'secluded'. It's located on top of a small mountain (a foothill), where the only thing you hear during the day are the birds, and in the evening, owls making their mating calls. So, you are welcome to visit.


I'll do that! Genealogy is one of my favorite hobbies and I've researched both sides of my family in both Poland and Ukraine. My home is an excellent stepping stone to the Eastern border of Poland and beyond.


As I mentioned previously, agro-tourism is a form of relaxation for those who appreciate nature and the village life. I'm almost done with my barn where I hope to have dancing, ping pong, billiards, a pub, and even use the large space for meetings or art events. It really is wonderful here. :-)


Yes, I lived in the heart of NYC. Great place to work and have a professional career, but terrible for quality of life. Chlorinated water, pollution, rats in the subways, roaches in most flats, terribly high property taxes and utilitiy bills.


Where my grandfather had his farm in the Catskill Mountains upstate NY, he owned about 30 hectares of mostly forest, which our family and relatives inherited. The mushroom hunting there is excellent, and many of the same mushrooms can be found here in south-eastern Poland (kania, kozaków, etc).


When I lived in NYC, i had an excellent career in the financial services industry on Wall Street. I was pretty frugal with my savings and then decided to ditch the 'suit' scene to come here to live in Poland. My savings and investments are sufficient enough to live here on.


I'm not married...yet! :-)

USA, Canada / US auto bailout [49]


Leave the USA...move to Polska! :-)

Travel / Ukraine - A New Destination of Vacation for Poles [27]

I'm American of both Polish and Ukrainian descent (now living in Poland) and have travelled throughout Ukraine many times already. There are really so many interesing places to visit, especially all of the old churches, castles, and castle ruins that dot the entire country. Of course, I visited my numerous relatives and friends as well.

Places I enjoyed visiting were: L'viv, Berezany, Kremenets, Lutsk, Rohatyn, Ternopil, Skalat, Kamenets Podolski, Skala Podolski, Trembovla, and Buchach.

A wine which I enjoyed drinking in Ukraine was (in Polish) "Wino Dunaju"..really tasty!

Travel / Is Poland mostly plains? [57]


I just sent you an e-mail.

Try to visit Poland if you can. Perhaps we could even take a side trip into Ukraine. I'd like to visit some relatives there as well.

Travel / Is Poland mostly plains? [57]


Impossible...it was a direct 'reply' to yours.


Yes and yes.

Genealogy / Does anyone know anything about All Saints parish in Bialystok? [5]


Honestly, I have been looking at the Białystok photo gallery online and the city doesn't look that bad. Many friends of mine have also been there and they liked the appearance of the city, mostly noting how clean it was with a mix of some interesting architecture. Some tell me it's an underrated city, on par with the likes of Katowice. Others tell me it's "undiscovered" and has plenty to offer. Perhaps I will go there some time and see for myself.

UK, Ireland / 33% of Poles in Ireland to return to Poland in 2009 [30]

Poland is indeed fortunate to have a currrently booming economy both fueled by local demand and large EU investments. Poles must enjoy this economic boom while it lasts. It surely won' t last forever, just as it happened previously in both Spain and Ireland. It's a boom and bust phase, and every single economy experiences it. When will it end here in Poland? Any opinions?

Travel / Skiing - Krynica, Poland. Lack of snow? [30]


Will you be going to Krynica via Tarnów (road 977)? If so, you are welcome to stop by and visit my village, near Zakliczyn.

Real Estate / Real Estate hits a new low in Poland [86]


Agreed. The article only speaks about the 'flat' (apartment) component of the diversified real estate market. Anyone owning land, forest, farms, etc in excess of 1 hectare are still in good shape. That's because, those types of properties have not been fully opened up to foreigners, yet. Everyone that I know of who owns such properties in Poland haven't seen any decline in value of their holdings, mine included. Potential investors in Polish real estate should be taking a good look at real tangible property investments, like owning a form of land (with or without a house on it) instead of a 'space' within a building, for which you are required to pay (in most cases) monthly maintainance fees.