Real Estate / Is the neighbourhood near Metro Imielin a good place to stay? [3]

It's generally considered to be a good area. Handy for the supermarket at Kabaty (and plenty of shops near Imielin Metro), good transport links (not just metro), restaurants and neighbourhood bars within walking distance, a multi-screen cinema next to the metro station and decent housing stock.

Nowoursynowska is however quite a long road and some bits are better than others.

Life / Health system in Poland - NFZ costs EU? [18]


There are special arrangements for students - you should follow the guidelines from your university.


Yes, some very good dentists are registered with NFZ though my dentist tells me that NFZ funded treatment carries some restrictions, like using mercury amalgam rather than white fillings.


No. People from other European countries go for treatment in Poland because it is much cheaper than in their own countries. The quality of medical care in Poland is the same or often worse.


Most large and medium size hospitals are registered with the NFZ, private clinics not so much. Worth mentioning that many people in Poland choose to have private health insurance - this is not expensive.


It's usually a good idea. You don't say which your home country is, however it may be cheaper and at least your own dentist is familiar to you.

Life / Are there any suicide hotlines to call in Poland? [8]


Don't even think about it. Not last because it's about the most selfish and unpleasant thing you can do to those around you possibly wrecking their lives for ever.

The Samaritans UK numbers work from Poland and you can also go to their website and contact someone who wants to help you way. I think they do Skype too.

Food / Where is the best place to buy cheap wine in Poland? [5]


Ugh, that Polish-made stuff is intended for alkies. Cheap though. I'd go to Biedronka which has bearable Spanish and Bulgarian stuff for less than 15zl a bottle but the OP should get the best they can easily afford since, as you say, nasty wine will make nasty Sangria...

While I remember, some people swear that cheap wine can be made a bit better with a few second in a microwave, though I'm far from convinced.

Study / Students Clubs in Warsaw - young adult is looking for fun [4]

Try the complex of bars behind ul. Nowy Świat 23, sometimes called Chinatown. Not just the ones through the first arch since the ones through the second arch tend to be better. Don't be put off if some of them seem closed: try a door and you might find plenty happening. Lots of young adults go, students too.

Food / Where to buy British mature Cheddar Cheese and salted butter in Poland? [289]

It's actually OK, provided you buy the longer-matured one with the purple label. They are always on the shelf together in the same box.

Travel / Can I take a train directly from Krakow to the Chopin International Airport? [6]

Let's hope so, otherwise it's quite a journey!

Travel / Praga, Warsaw - looking for some hippish cafes [15]


Praga Północ covers a huge area and there are only a few streets that are dodgy (and those are improving).

The area nearest the zoo is OK, however the Nowa Praga osiedle by the rondo can be a bit rough and ready.

Travel / Can I take a train directly from Krakow to the Chopin International Airport? [6]


That's possible, however the OP said Chopin Airport which is another name for Okecie rather than JP2, the other name of Balice. whichever happens, she'll get there.

Travel / Can I take a train directly from Krakow to the Chopin International Airport? [6]

That airport is in Warsaw, quite a long way away from Kraków. You can get a train to Warsaw city centre and then a bus (from the main road outside the station). There's also an airport train (not as frequent and not really quicker unless it's the rush hour) from Warszawa Śródmieście station, next to the main one.

Life / Polish post, are they still stealing stuff? [20]

It took about a week longer than estimated and there was no option to insure or use registered post, just normal mail. It arrived via courier though; some European post offices (including Royal Mail according to a recent thread here) no longer trust Poczta Polska as a delivery partner.

Life / Polish post, are they still stealing stuff? [20]

I had an iPhone mailed to me by normal post (from Italy) and it arrived in the end.

Food / Was Slonina (Lard) originally extracted from Elephant meat? [17]


Why not? My local restaurant sells kangaroo...

You never know though. The OP obviously learned the Polish word for elephant and the Polish word for solid pork fat and thought, "maybe...". Perhaps those old media reports of Poles in the UK eating swan was because they were craving their traditional diet of słon.

Law / Debt - translation agency seeking to recover a cash advance paid to me, advice needed. [13]


Aside from any legal issues about working without a contract, there's really no way they can prove anything (except perhaps a bank transfer that isn't backed up by any contract for work) and no way some private agency can collect anything from you without going to court, which without documents would be complicated and very costly. If the debt collection agency keep hassling you, ask them to provide written proof (not just their communications with the translation agency) that a debt exists.

Law / Obtaining PESEL, ID Card and Passport in Poland [39]


Go to the Polish Embassy in Mexico City and report your passport/dowód osobisty as destroyed (you may need proof that there was a fire) or lost and get a replacement.

Travel / First vacation in Poland [15]

And the Mickiewicz house in Istanbul. open to the public and just a few mins walk from Taksim.


The Mickiewicz Museum in Śmiełow is worth seeing if you're in the western part of the country.
mnp.art.pl/muzeum/oddzialy/muzeum-a-mickiewicza-w-smielowie
pl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pałac_w_Śmiełowie

News / Closet homosexual politicians in Poland [83]


You might be surprised about how much about whom never gets to the paper or anywhere online is might do harm.


For that party it's the ultimate taboo, that and abortion and perhaps too high stakes not to protect someone's private life.


Only the ones with poor dress sense

Study / Where I should study journalism(in Poland ) [32]


Nowhere, if you want to be a journalist - better study something else. If however you do want to study journalism, try UKSW.

News / Closet homosexual politicians in Poland [83]


That depends. A politician voting trumpeting homophobia while living a double life him or herself is fair game to have their hypocrisy called out by others affected by the laws they make. Cardinal O'Brien, preaching one thing to thousands all dressed up in the pulpit of his cathedral while doing another is also fair game.


By Lech Walesa on live tv among others. I'm not sure why you're banging on about a 'link'. Real life is not the internet.

News / Closet homosexual politicians in Poland [83]


In denial still makes him homosexual.

By the way, he isn't alone in the Sejm - there are other closet cases too.

Travel / Exchange Euro to Zloty - I am going to arrive in Warsaw [17]


Yes but the exchange rate is very bad. Better to change just a small amount there and change the rest somewhere in town. Or better still use an ATM (if you're from a Eurozone country your cards will work here.) select 'no' if the machine proposes a guaranteed exchange rate (unless you expect the world currency market to collapse within the next 3 days).


Indeed.

News / Ruch Narodowy politician has cup of drink thrown at him by transvestite during a Polsat debate [9]


Possible although prosecutors would also have to consider provocation and verbal abuse from Zawisza.

Genealogy / Jerzy Jasion - please help me find my best friend [11]

I don't think you can, but it would give a clue of where to search on Nasza Klasa.

Remember Poland is not a small country; it has a similar population to England.

Genealogy / Jerzy Jasion - please help me find my best friend [11]


Spelt Jurek, it's short for Jerzy.

Unfortunately Jerzy Jasion is not a rare name, however maybe your best bet is Facebook or Nasza Klasa (similar).

News / Ruch Narodowy politician has cup of drink thrown at him by transvestite during a Polsat debate [9]


Funny you should say that. Mind you, half the older ones in there have that same moustache. So Castro Street 1982...

Really, if he thinks that it isn't "normal that he should have to sit in the same studio with this thing that he can't even bring himself to look at" he should remember that nobody forced him to go on TV. Is he really such an attention wh0re?

News / Ruch Narodowy politician has cup of drink thrown at him by transvestite during a Polsat debate [9]


By a member of the public.


If he abuses someone in such a vile way, they will react.

That Zawisza fool is a total pest, and fortunately so very far from the political mainstream (or any real electoral support) that he has about as much chance as getting political power as a dead beaver.

Life / Where can I give away used clothes in Poland? [10]

The Sue Ryder Shop on ul. Bagatela (the pl. Unii Lubelskie end) are grateful for items donated. They are sold to support the charity's work around Warsaw - they operate a home for the disabled in Piaseczno (and there's often a nice selection of donated English language books too).

UK, Ireland / Websites for Poles to benefit from Britain! [210]


I suppose the Lake District is just called that to confuse visitors. Either that or there's more than double the number in PL.


Most of the uplands are too wild and windy to be forested - a Polish friend was amazed when I took him to the North York Moors and couldn't get his head round hills that weren't wooded - however the New Forest, Charnwood, Kielder, Bowland and Sherwood are not mirages


Ah, almost feeling homesick there :-)

Life / Poland no Unemployment benefits after paying taxes for 20 years [41]


I know nothing about the rules in Ireland, but I do have a bit of fairly recent experience in the UK. Income-based Jobseekers' Allowance is based on your present situation so they base the claim from the date you register - you don't have to sign up for it when you lose a job.

In Poland, even if you don't have any entitlement to dole (or any legal income) you can register as unemployed (without that time limit) and that will entitle you to free healthcare.

UK, Ireland / British products in Warsaw [32]


I sometimes buy the small ones, called talerki. If I've got guests and can be arsed, I make crackers and put loads of parmesan in the mix.