News / Poland's atheist loonies have had their 5 minutes [239]

I am enjoying this thread a lot.

Bzizbi would like to be a bat only to hanged upside down with Nancy ;).

Long time ago I told not too intelligent boss that Equador in in South America,but he told me the I must have looked at the map upside down;). I love that story.

On topic:

paranoid thread to say the least. Atheist an Catholic are doing fine in Poland. The question is: who is doing better and BETTER is anyways.

Barney and Olaf - thanks for the witty comments;).

I am making pasta with smoked salmon and cream sauce for Trzech Kroli . No potatoes.

USA, Canada / Moved back from Canada to Poland:). Here are the reasons why. [868]


ha,that is very handy indeedL) Thank you very much.I will print them all for my next train ride - one never knows what is ahead of me in Poland and travelling by PKP always makes my hair stand up on my back - well, provided I had any;).


I jut had in idea: I would rent Wildrover for my train trip and the problem with seats will be solved

I jut lost my reading glasses and I cannot see very well, so I am typing from memory.

I went to the Vision Express and begged them to get me new ones.

So they set the doctor's appointment up for me and in a meantime I was sipose to pick the frames. The problem was that I did not ee very well, so I am going to see what kind of frames I picked when I will be picking my ready glasses up.

I had to fill some form out, but I couldn't, so the lady helped me and still asked me to sign them - for goodness sake: I was not able to see, so she marked the spots with little birds. Thank god I can still hear, so I chose one of the cheapest version - I think.

Until later my dear readers - it seems that Poland gives me a lot to write about.

Those who have settled in Poland will probably understand that there are certain stages of moving to a new place. I don't remember them all but I think that I am in the stage of acceptance, but also I am beginning to get bored since I seem to have most of the things under control.

Today I was talking to my boss and she told me that she used to run a Jazz club and 6 year ago she was looking after one of my fav guitar jazz player when he was performing iSzczecin. To make the story short I will be going to that jazz clib since it has some intereting music. I wish the winter was over, but we have a long way to go.

I would like to contribute more to other threads, but that has to wait until tommorrow, when I can see what I am typing.

Asios !!!!!

weather

not snowing anymore, so clearing up the snow is off my list for the time being, however it is very slippery due to the freezing rain last night. I am considering switching from wearing the Yaktracks to skates - it is THAT bad

According to GW the the sidewalks are very dangerous so that means that there will be more falls, bruises, broken legs and so on.

The main streets are clear, but the sidewalks and many other streets are full of ice.

Looks like the part of the city I am in is becoming a big skating ring.

History / Lwów, Wilno ... kresy - Poland have lost enormoust part of our heritage... [389]

you meant Christmas.

USA, Canada / Moved back from Canada to Poland:). Here are the reasons why. [868]


lucky you, it must be even worse living in the country. Keep warm.

I am keeping myself warm with a bottle of burbon I purchased during the X-mas and it is a nice addition after having a relaxing time after clearing up the snow. I must have shoveled quite a bit since I have not gained any weight even though I was eating a LOT. I actually don't mind clearing up the snow because it is a good exercise, but the comments from my neighbours made me think that I must have overdone it since they said that I made a highway;). My snow action must have made their X-mas more amusing I think. Oh well, there is nothing better then to put a smile on the Pole's face, isn't there? (I don't care really).

Guess who was having an exercise with the shovel in the First Day of X-mas? Me and y nieces German finance. I wonder if he was trying to impress his future in - laws or was just warming up for his daily run - who knows;) - maybe both - those Germans are very practical people after all;).


I am glad somebody understands me;).


what a great date for both of us;) lol


a bit and it was pretty intense experience, too bad the snow has melted by now, but I DID the shopping and cooking yey;)


I have been imaging them, especially after traveling back home on the train this afternoon - the train was late, the people were pushing and I pushed too, then somebody said that she was keeping the seat for her partner and I gave her a piece of my mind. she was pretty timid, but the boyfriend called me names when he finally walked into the compartment. What can I say - he turned out to be a man, but I still kept giving him and evil eye just to make sure that he got my message.


thank you and the same to you:)


I am glad I am not the only one who has to deal with it. However I managed to negotiate the winter tires. We will see.


thank you, all the best to you too!!!!

I am hoping there will be less snow in the coming month;(

News / Pole-basher Gross up to old tricks [284]

cry me a river Polonius3?

USA, Canada / Moved back from Canada to Poland:). Here are the reasons why. [868]


Szczecin was snowed in for sure:(.
actually I am at my father's at the moment, so outside of Sz-n;( and I didn't have to clear the sidewalk in Sz-n since the management of my apartment takes care of that.

I only had to clean the driveway to the garage, otherwise I would not be able to do the x-mas shopping:).


It is for sure:)


sounds nice, but you guys get hit with snow as bad as Toronto I suppose?

USA, Canada / Moved back from Canada to Poland:). Here are the reasons why. [868]


Canada and Chicago are used to the snow conditions, Poland isn't, or is, but every time there is a problem with snow - people are not as much in control of the situation as they would be in Canada or the US - I blame it on the lack of thinking and planning ahead, which I see here on the daily basis - something, which I find very frustrating.


thank you:) . All the best in the Near Year . I miss parts of the life style, but more then anything I miss the relaxed attitude of Canadians. I find Poles too intense. Everything is blown out of proportion at times.

EG. I go to the store during the freezing rain and thank God I have my Yak Tracks on, otherwise I would be in trouble in order to look for a shovel. I pick one up and it falls apart, I pick another one and it is probably a bit more expensive, but I really don't care. I am still driving on the summer tires because my father thinks that winter tires are useless.

I come home after clearing up the snow (with the new shovel) and all he thinks about is the fact the the old one was still good - even though it was cracked because it was some cheap plastic thing.

I am happy that I bought one available before X-mas and a heavy snow fall, he is not happy because I spend money on something, which according to him was still good.

I was proud to deal with the situation asap and solving a problem, he was cranky because I spent money on something that was not needed. Two different views, two different ways of dealing with it. I dealt with it by investing money in a new shovel and using it asap - therefore getting rid of the problem - he was dealing with it in a silly way.

One point for me. ;). I will use the shovel all winter long and be a happy camper, he will be complaining about spending too much money, because he would rather use an old shovel and save money, instead of getting the job done asap. He is just an example of some of the Polish people attitude to solving problems. Have I mentioned that the shovel was cheap??????

Another example is me using the Yak Tracks. For those who know what it is, it is a blessing during the winter- my friend saw me in them and told me that I must be crazy to wear them, but many people said that they would love to get it, since there is a lot of ICE under the snow and many people have slipped.

I just don't understand the logic of not thinking ahead of time when it comes to solving problems - so typical of some Polish people.

Well, that's it for now:)

Until next time my dear readers:)

UK, Ireland / Do Poles in the UK pretend to be uppity because they have an inferiority complex? [60]


it is often true, but I still haven't figure out why. Habit I suppose. They had a hard life and the left overs from that period is nastiness.

I can give you some examples, but........it is too annoying for me. Poles need to be complimented all the time, have a fragile ego and are often not very reasonable - difficult to deal with for a person who is more rational- like me.

Black and white thinking is also very common - oh well.

USA, Canada / Moved back from Canada to Poland:). Here are the reasons why. [868]


thank you, the same to you:)

cold and snow

there is no problem where I am, but I hear on the news that some parts of Poland didn't have electricity during X-mas time. I really feel sorry for all those people, or anybody really who during this time had less then I did.

In general Poles are coping well from what I see. Maybe they should clear more snow during this time, but I can see that some are not really keen on working too hard. I am not sure why that is, but perhaps cold, long and snowy winers in Canada prepared me for managing during this time quite well.

Another important thing, which makes me feel very comfortable is a pair of Yak Tracks I used for hiking in Canada and during this snowy and slippery time in Poland they came really handy.

cozywinters.com/shop/yk-walk.html?utm_source=base&utm_medium=cse&utm_campaign=merchantadv&zmam=61752597&zmas=1&zmac=2&zmap=YK-WALK

as people say, the devils is in the details;)

I can say that Yak Tracks made the winter in Poland much more pleasant.

Until next time!!!!!!!!

USA, Canada / Moved back from Canada to Poland:). Here are the reasons why. [868]

All the best to all of my readers and other members of PF.

I am too stuffed to write more then a couple of sentences.

It is a good X-mas since it is white.

The fridge is well stock up, so it the bar, not to mention I managed to get the fire going in the old German tile piec.

My father is fed, the house is warm, the X-mas tree is still looking nice, the snow is swept, so I am going back to rest.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year :)

PS. found a wireless internet connection in the kitchen: D NICE!!!!!!!!!!!

USA, Canada / Moved back from Canada to Poland:). Here are the reasons why. [868]


ah,I am always open to new experience although I don't think my father would approve. I am afraid he is stuck in his childhood tastes when it comes to Wigilia.


good idea, I love salatka:)


never had them, but I am willing to try.

Anyways,

I am already stressed out because this will be the first time I will be cooking for Wigilia alone since my mother passed away. It will be difficult to measure up to her cooking skills, but I will do my best:).

I already broke the family tradition but not spending x-mas with my sister's family and they are offended.

It doesn't matter that travelling in the winter with such messy road is a hazard. Anyways, I am sticking to my guts and cooking at home.

USA, Canada / CULTURE SHOCK! (of my Polish finance who visited the US) [210]

THIS thread is 3 years old!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

USA, Canada / Moved back from Canada to Poland:). Here are the reasons why. [868]


I was under the impression you you have found a lot of comfort in Poland;).

Anyways, I have a huge headache and I cannot sleep. Therefore I decided to write down my x-mas Eve meal plan:

1. Borsch- this time it has to be a vegetarian one since the tradition calls for it:
Beets, some dried mushroom, good veggie stock, lemon juice and viola.
2. sour kraut and pea soup:
Peas, sour kraut (both have to be cooked separately), some fried onions and sour cream
3. mushroom soup: dried mushrooms, veggie stock, garlic, spices, fried onions, a dash of sour cream
4. herrings in sour cream and mustard sauce
5. salt baked fish - no carp in jelly for me!!!!! Place plenty of salt in the baking dish, place the fish, cover with salt and bake for 30 minutes - easy

7. garlic (that is right - there has to be raw garlic on the table according to my family tradition)
8. kutia:
cooked wheat, raisins, honey, poppy seed, nuts - mix it all and serve it chilled
9. maybe pierogies with sour kraut and mushroom - I will see
10. have no idea yet
11. hmmmmm....
12. can somebody help me here?

deserts: mentioned kutia, ginger bread cookies with molasses (Canadian influence), poppy seed cake, honey cake, cheesecake.

USA, Canada / Moved back from Canada to Poland:). Here are the reasons why. [868]

yes, they are, but they are NOT. It is unfortunate that they don't use common sense. Anyways, the situation is better at the moment, but if I had to drive long distances to work, I would be really mad. I am lucky enough to have my place of work within the 20 minute walking distance, but even then I don't feel like walking and I wake a public transport. I just feel sorry for older people who have to get their shopping done in a weather like that.

USA, Canada / Moved back from Canada to Poland:). Here are the reasons why. [868]


no it was not cheap. I paid a fair amount of money.

Love / How to ask the Polish parents for her hand in Marriage? [32]


even if it is I am having a ball reading it lol

Life / Why Poland is "surprised" by winter and snow every year? [192]

well, there is snow in Szczecin and yesterday I was standing at the crossing waiting for the light to change and the driver lost control and was heading in our direction. He regained the control, but it was a bit strange to see drivers loosing control and not being used to the road conditions. The city looks beautiful though.

I feel sorry for those old people who have to go shopping during this time. My father actually crashed his face when walking on the sidewalk a week ago - fortunately apart from some bruising he is fine, but he cannot go out and is going crazy being licked in the house:(

Love / How to ask the Polish parents for her hand in Marriage? [32]


he is and maybe painfully so, so you cannot take it because he is saying like it is.


that is a really good point. Gone are the days when parents had tobe asked for permission, but if your finance is OK with the whole procedure, then go ahead. However, maybe it would be good to skip the whole visit at Mama's and you would save yourself some trouble;) and I like the preceptive description of the Polish immigrant family. I can see Mama sitting at the table and swearing while drinking an expensive drink lol. Classic.

USA, Canada / Moved back from Canada to Poland:). Here are the reasons why. [868]


ha, ha.....I can see that;)


yes, I am thinking of giving up teaching and starting my own beauty salon;)


not as much as in the rest of the country if my memory doesn't fail me, but I am sure Darius and Fuzzy will correct me on this one;)


that is not a bad idea at all and I can see that the Krakow mayor is a smart man.

Love / How to ask the Polish parents for her hand in Marriage? [32]

stand your ground, follow SeanB's advice, make the visit nice and short, keep your manners intact. You can do it.

Good luck.

USA, Canada / Moved back from Canada to Poland:). Here are the reasons why. [868]

if you think that I have neglected you, my dear and devoted readers, then you are wrong.

I was simply busy with the winter here and other more important things.
Beauty salons in Poland
I have moved here 3 months ago and to be honest had not had the time to have some quality time eg. having my nails done and so on.

As you probably know, Polish women like to have their nails and eyebrows done on regular basis and generally like to look after themselves.

I coloured my hair, but it turned out too dark. Next was the eyebrows. I decided to get henna. Booked an appointment with the girl next door - not a fancy place at all, but I guess I was trying to save some money there.

The salon had a brown interior, with some paint peeling in some places. the x-mas decoration was hang on the wall without any planning, so it didn't look vey festive. I guess the area I live in is not really down town and posh, so the salons are a pure reflection of a somewhat neglected part of society. Szczecin used to be a city with a good economy, but once the shipyards were closed down some time ago, the area, or at least some part of the city look that that had seen better days.

Anyways, I went to have my nails and the eyebrows done yesterday morning. The nails turned out OK, but the eyebrows are a different story. They were suppose to be dark brown, but they are coal black and it looks like my new stern look is already helping me in my teaching. My students are calmer and more cooperative and I believe that it has something to do with my dark eyebrows;).

I was told that it will take a week for them to go back to their more natural colour. So I have to wait a week, or just get used to my "new" Polish look.

So to sum this up fashion wise.
1. boots are not my thing and I gave them up a long time ago
2. dark hair is an overstatement, but it got me some attention - negative or not is not the issue
3. dark eyebrows is the mistake of the woman who actually didn't know what she was doing.

But, there is a bright side to the my fashion experimentation in Poland. You, my dear readers always get the first hand report on how it really feels to live in Poland.

Until next time. I have to visit the famous Polish Post office in order to mail my x-mas cards.
the weather
It seems that Szczecin is having some problems with coping with the amount of snow it is getting at the moment. I hear that there are long delays in public transport from my students and their parents, but most of the time they make it to classes. Most drivers are still learning how to drive in the winter since Szczecin is not a city very familiar with snow. The city mayor gave a couple of days off to people who park downtown - so they don't have to pay, which was a nice thing to do considering the situation.

Overall, Iam coping well.

Love / Good looking Polish women with ugly men [416]

yep......what a boring thread:)

USA, Canada / American...Polish Resident...Returning to the land of milk and honey [103]


once to get to your land of milk and honey you can have a bath in Mountain Dew, not that it has anything to do with mountains or dew;) (fekking sugary soda drink)

News / 'Bored' Poles build 31ft tall Frosty [16]

it is all dandy, but building "najwiekszego balwana na swiecie" is something nobody should be proud of;)

USA, Canada / Moved back from Canada to Poland:). Here are the reasons why. [868]

the winter in szczecin is not easing up any time soon. It is only DECEMBER and I have already had enough.

I hear that the rest of Europe is no better either;(.

Work / Polish students among best in OECD [32]


so what?

USA, Canada / American...Polish Resident...Returning to the land of milk and honey [103]


airport hopping vs bar hopping- hmmm- you can do both;).

I did TORONTOO-LONDON_ AMSTERDAM_ BERLIN once and it was hell was winter, so I got stuck in London.

I wish you have a smooth flight(connections) and get home on time:)

UK, Ireland / Why British men move to Poland [63]

Dolphi.

where is the pic of you skinny Polish girlfriend then?

right, you don't have one;)

USA, Canada / Moved back from Canada to Poland:). Here are the reasons why. [868]

sounds like it was. I have no experience a similar disaster due to the fairly small amount of snow in my area, but I can see how things can be out of control if that happens.


If you going back to the US, you will experience snow too. I heard that the hwy in Buffalo was closed for 24 hours and people got stuck on it, so winter can ruin your good time any where, however I have a feeling that you will be more forgiving in the US due to local patriotism:)


I bot too cold for me.

close to zero in Szczecin.

USA, Canada / Moved back from Canada to Poland:). Here are the reasons why. [868]


you are in Poznan and Poznan is known for being organized.

szczecin is fairly clean, but I visited my father this weekend and on Sunday I was the only one who cleaned the snow in front of the building and it was snowing all day on and off.

The trains are delayed as well, so travelling is becoming a pain.

Polish name day

It is celebrated with style and lots of food. I spend all weekend preparing it for my father. We have guests on Sunday and he is expecting more today.

My friend had her name day on Saturday and she said that people were coming to her work all day long with the wishes, flowers and whatnot.

The only downfall is that the person has to offer food, drink and hospitality for the guests and people who are not invited come to visit and it is widely accepted.

Overall, a nice celebration and another excuse to socialize.