boletus
14 Jun 2011
History / Symbols & Signs in Polish History, Culture & Life [89]
Try this one, myjustyna
But I will oblige you later with another image of Frania.
Try this one, myjustyna
Washing machine "Frania"
boletus
14 Jun 2011
History / Symbols & Signs in Polish History, Culture & Life [89]
This must be something specific to your browser or your computer, because no one is complaining but you. I can see it with two browsers: Chrome and Safari - both running Apple OS X.
But I will oblige you later with another image of Frania.
A commendable desire, myjustyna, but probably unrealistic. You cannot squeeze 44 years of 30 million people of several generations into one exhaustive document. Tones of books have been written, movies made, plays produced. You could study all of this to the end of your life - as some professional historians do.
But I do not want to discourage you from trying... I will keep my eye open for your request and if I find something worthy of recommendation I will certainly do it.
I can't open it. Another photo pls.
This must be something specific to your browser or your computer, because no one is complaining but you. I can see it with two browsers: Chrome and Safari - both running Apple OS X.
But I will oblige you later with another image of Frania.
I'd like to know everything that is important to Poles, plus those things that are memorable for them both culturally & historically .
A commendable desire, myjustyna, but probably unrealistic. You cannot squeeze 44 years of 30 million people of several generations into one exhaustive document. Tones of books have been written, movies made, plays produced. You could study all of this to the end of your life - as some professional historians do.
But I do not want to discourage you from trying... I will keep my eye open for your request and if I find something worthy of recommendation I will certainly do it.
boletus
14 Jun 2011
History / Symbols & Signs in Polish History, Culture & Life [89]
Antek already posted it, post #40. :-)
As to other symbols we have shown here in last few posts - you really need a quick refresher course on PRL (Polska Rzeczypospolita Ludowa = Polish People's Republic) - 1945-1989, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/People%27s_Republic_of_Poland
You will then appreciate what "bare hooks" mean to many Poles, and "vinegar" - the only product one could easily buy anywhere. Other than that - the shelves were empty in some periods of PRL.
Antek already posted it, post #40. :-)
As to other symbols we have shown here in last few posts - you really need a quick refresher course on PRL (Polska Rzeczypospolita Ludowa = Polish People's Republic) - 1945-1989, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/People%27s_Republic_of_Poland
You will then appreciate what "bare hooks" mean to many Poles, and "vinegar" - the only product one could easily buy anywhere. Other than that - the shelves were empty in some periods of PRL.
boletus
14 Jun 2011
History / Symbols & Signs in Polish History, Culture & Life [89]
Frania (Frances) is a SYMBOL of PRL, a legend and a source of various jokes. So no need to be upset, myjustyna.
PRL = Polish People Republic
Washing machine Frania (Frances) could not stand buttons, zippers and hook-and-eyes. She sucked them all into the rotor and she did not want to give them back. Apart from this small annoyance Frania was beyond reproach. For many citizens of PRL she was considered a technological marvel. She occupied less space than the subsequent washing machines.
In addition to its basic functionality she helped to survive tough times. Frania was used for making butter, washing cucumbers, storing moonshine and even underground papers. She could serve as a flower stand or even a seat (with backrest) for a baby just taken out from the bath to be towelled.
I would do that if there was any in English. I just run that Polish wikipedia paragraph via google translate and came ok.
Please discuss SYMBOLS :(
Frania (Frances) is a SYMBOL of PRL, a legend and a source of various jokes. So no need to be upset, myjustyna.
PRL = Polish People Republic
Washing machine Frania (Frances) could not stand buttons, zippers and hook-and-eyes. She sucked them all into the rotor and she did not want to give them back. Apart from this small annoyance Frania was beyond reproach. For many citizens of PRL she was considered a technological marvel. She occupied less space than the subsequent washing machines.
In addition to its basic functionality she helped to survive tough times. Frania was used for making butter, washing cucumbers, storing moonshine and even underground papers. She could serve as a flower stand or even a seat (with backrest) for a baby just taken out from the bath to be towelled.
And please use English links so I can read and understand!
I would do that if there was any in English. I just run that Polish wikipedia paragraph via google translate and came ok.
boletus
14 Jun 2011
History / Symbols & Signs in Polish History, Culture & Life [89]
nagie haki - bare hooks in meat stores of Polish People's Republic (PRL)
ocet spirytusowy, 6% and 10% - vinegar in two concentrations, so one had at least some choice. Same period
nagie haki - bare hooks in meat stores of Polish People's Republic (PRL)
ocet spirytusowy, 6% and 10% - vinegar in two concentrations, so one had at least some choice. Same period
boletus
14 Jun 2011
History / Symbols & Signs in Polish History, Culture & Life [89]
I saw somewhere a picture of "pralka Frania"(*) on a backseat of "Maluch".
*pralka Frania, washing machine "Frania",
pl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frania_(pralka)
I saw somewhere a picture of "pralka Frania"(*) on a backseat of "Maluch".
*pralka Frania, washing machine "Frania",
pl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frania_(pralka)
boletus
14 Jun 2011
History / Lancers' fantasies (fantaisies) - Polish revellers [5]
I certainly agree. It also shows that he was well read. I do not even try to guess how many contemporary Polish generals ever moved beyond Sienkiewicz's novels. But he was of course more than a soldier. Well, he actually translated the novel "General Lasalle" by Marcel Dupont.
However, when duty called, General stayed away from alcohol and fun. When he was forced to take over the embassy in Rome, he had to tone down, but at the same time he felt terribly bored. All he really wanted was to forever remain a colonel, commander of chevau-léger (szwoleżer, the Light Horse). He often said that in the cavalry one can do foolish things but not dirty tricks, while in diplomacy, one can, and sometimes must, do dirty tricks but is not permitted to do stupidities.
Outshining the Sea Shaman
Adolf Ardschuller, an assistant officer in our liner "Kosciuszko" should fall into the group of the greatest linguists of the world. Adolf quickly advanced thanks to his great sense of humor, instant reaction and two meters of height, so that his conversations with captain Eustazy Borkowski were always up at the same level.
One of the spectacular roles, captain Eustazy liked to play, was demonstration of number of languages he spoke. The data on this subject varied - depending on his humor, fantasy and circumstances.
On the eve of departure on one of "Kosciuszko" Atlantic Ocean crossings in 1932-1934, captain Eustazy Borkowski was entertaining a number of outstanding persons in the Ship's bar.The more outstanding personalities he hosted the greater was his desire to demonstrate his unusual and sometimes bizarre abilities as a captain of the Ship.
After letting the guests know about his heavy duties and obligations related to dealing with the Ship's daily correspondence - but for which he did not want to part with his "beloved and dearest" guests - the captain decided on the spur to conjure up a wonderful scene of dictation of stenographic letters. The weakest point of the intended show was his inability to notify and prepare up front the second actor of the show, an assistant officer, Adolf Ardschuller. Summoned by the steward, according to the order of the captain, Adolf reported to the bar with WRITING UTENSILS.
Ardschuller - urgently needed at this moment by the captain to play a key role of the great linguist - was of course "my deared" by the captain, which he heard spoken directly from Eustazy lisps:
- My DEAR, I could not part with such a good company, and therefore I called you here. I will dictate you a few letters, and you will quickly shorthand them, to deal with them in the shortest time, as they are very urgent.
Adolf Ardschuller had no stenographic skills, but after serving so long under captain Eustazy Borkowski, he has already learned many things, and above all - not to oppose any EVIL resulting from the unexpected and bizarre whims of the inspired captain.
The captain of course knew that Adolf, although speaking fluent German and English, had no knowledge of stenography, and therefore he feared of outbreak of Adolf's mindless sincerity. Despite this, he ordered:
- My DEAR begin shorthanding!
And he began to quickly dictate, in his nasal speech, a letter in German to Hamburg, regarding a tender for new anchors. In the flood of galloping words the captain would occasionally interject a question in Polish:
- MY DEAR, did you get it?
Adolf's sparse head hair bristled at first at the news that he supposed to shorthand the letter, and he was about to apologize for lack of stenographic skills, but this moment of stupor, spotted in time by the captain, was overflowed with a stream of quick German, which Adolf spoke fluently. Ardschuller knew that the matters of this kind are taken care by the inspectorate of the Ship Line, without the participation of the either the ship or the captain - and in addition, in Denmark - so he realized that he was expected to play a role of a great stenographer and that the scene with the letters was a MIRAGE created by his boss.
- MY DEAR, add that the case should be treated as very urgent. Adolf has already fallen into rhythm of his captain and, like an echo repeated in Polish - Yes sir, as very urgent - stressing it again more strongly in German.
A blissful smile of satisfaction passed across the face of captain Eustazy. Ardschuller found himself in his allotted role.
- Now the second letter, MY DEAR.
The addressee was a shipyard in France, where the captain wanted to dock "Kosciuszko" in the near future, during this trip. Ardschuller had very foggy idea about French but the marks he placed on the paper could as well contain the French text, like any other one. He even drew them faster than the captain dictated. The only word he understood from this letter was: CHERBOURG. It was there that the captain decided to dock "Kosciuszko", although it was known that the docking would actually take place in Gdańsk.
- Write down, MY DEAR: TREAT THE CASE AS EXTREMELY URGENT.
An epistle to Seville no longer caused any internal resistance of Adolf. Since he did not understand a single word pronounced by the captain, he could - while applying stenography - wholeheartedly devote himself to writing down the most sophisticated characters. When the captain paused - giving him thereby a hint that he should acknowledge the letter - Ardschuller said: "Yes sir: EXTREMELY URGENT."
After a while he noted with delight and wrote it down with the help of several "worms" a new address: ILUSTRISSIMO SENHOR DOCTOR FREDERICO DE OLIYIERA. TRAYESSA, SANTA CATARINA. TRINTA SETĘ LISBOA PORTUGAL.
And then: EXCELENTISSIMO SENHOR DOCTOR!
He knew now that he was writing a letter in Portuguese, and - with his newly acquired knowledge of stenography - put down the marks efficient and surely - reproducing, previously seen, Arabic script and Sanskrit.
Between the toasts raised from time in honour of the "dearest" and "beloved" guests Adolf was able to fish the familiar word, STOCKHOLM. He knew then that he was handwriting in Swedish. To enliven the monotony of worm-making he asked the captain the question:
- Is this letter, sir, also to be regarded as URGENT?
- MY DEAR, how can you ask such things? You see it for yourself, following the wording of the letter. In any case - if it was not so urgent - we would not be boring our dear guests with this correspondence.
Next, from the graceful and melodic Italian speech Adolf picked up a city name of Genova La Superba. Other than that he had no problems with the letter.
In a letter to Halifax, Canada, the captain appointed a committee of experts to verify the decision on damages occurred during a storm in a previous trip, because some informality was found in the previous investigation - and which had to be clarified in the next trip. Writing this down, Ardschuller could remember neither the storm nor the committee in Halifax - yet he admired the spirit and inventiveness of captain Eustazy. And again he chanted in the appropriate moment: - Yes sir, VERY URGENT.
It was hard to guess how many more such urgent letters captain Eustazy had in store. After this last letter, however, the "dear guests" - before whom the captain was demonstrating his linguistic abilities - became seized with general astonishment. Their astonishment, however, focused on a different direction. Visitors knew that the captain knows a dozen languages, but the ability of a clerk to be familiar with as many languages, combined with his skill of stenography, put him in some an unprecedented position of unique linguistic and fame. The acclaims of distinguished guests were consistent and unanimous that the clerk of such exceptional abilities wastes his life working on this ship, rather than playing a dominant role as a diplomat somewhere. What's worse, some guests have already begun showing some signs of their designs towards Adolf.
Such unexpected change of their of interest forced the captain to the immediate response. Instead of a new letter in a different language, Ardschuller heard the order in Polish, given in fairly clear, non-nasal voice.
- MY DEAR, start typing these letters immediately now, with copies to the Directorate in Warsaw, for the Office of the Port of Gdynia and to the Ship. Report when they are ready to be signed.
Yes, sir! Report when they are ready to be signed.
Adolf came back from the bar, pale and nervous. Questioned by fellow officers, he initially did not answer. After a while, he whispered to himself:
- He will fire me for sure, as two times two is four!
- For what? - asked a friend with concern in his voice.
- For what? For the fact that I out-shined him. During only dozen of minutes he taught me French, Spanish, Portuguese, Swedish and Italian. He taught me the art of fast note taking in those languages - as well as in German and English! But he does not know the stenography, so I out-shined him in front of his guests. He will fire me!
He was not fired. In this case, captain Eustazy proved to be generous and for that stenographic performance he gave Adolf a carton of cigarettes "Lucky Strike". And the linguistic-stenographic abilities of Adolf Ardschuller, an assistant clerk on the "Kosciuszko", were often the subject of admiration in the messes of our "Transatlantics".
- Translated from: Szaman Morski by Karol Olgierd Borchardt
and transposed it onto a humorous situation actually make it more witty? I believe the latter. What do you think?
I certainly agree. It also shows that he was well read. I do not even try to guess how many contemporary Polish generals ever moved beyond Sienkiewicz's novels. But he was of course more than a soldier. Well, he actually translated the novel "General Lasalle" by Marcel Dupont.
However, when duty called, General stayed away from alcohol and fun. When he was forced to take over the embassy in Rome, he had to tone down, but at the same time he felt terribly bored. All he really wanted was to forever remain a colonel, commander of chevau-léger (szwoleżer, the Light Horse). He often said that in the cavalry one can do foolish things but not dirty tricks, while in diplomacy, one can, and sometimes must, do dirty tricks but is not permitted to do stupidities.
Outshining the Sea Shaman
Adolf Ardschuller, an assistant officer in our liner "Kosciuszko" should fall into the group of the greatest linguists of the world. Adolf quickly advanced thanks to his great sense of humor, instant reaction and two meters of height, so that his conversations with captain Eustazy Borkowski were always up at the same level.
One of the spectacular roles, captain Eustazy liked to play, was demonstration of number of languages he spoke. The data on this subject varied - depending on his humor, fantasy and circumstances.
On the eve of departure on one of "Kosciuszko" Atlantic Ocean crossings in 1932-1934, captain Eustazy Borkowski was entertaining a number of outstanding persons in the Ship's bar.The more outstanding personalities he hosted the greater was his desire to demonstrate his unusual and sometimes bizarre abilities as a captain of the Ship.
After letting the guests know about his heavy duties and obligations related to dealing with the Ship's daily correspondence - but for which he did not want to part with his "beloved and dearest" guests - the captain decided on the spur to conjure up a wonderful scene of dictation of stenographic letters. The weakest point of the intended show was his inability to notify and prepare up front the second actor of the show, an assistant officer, Adolf Ardschuller. Summoned by the steward, according to the order of the captain, Adolf reported to the bar with WRITING UTENSILS.
Ardschuller - urgently needed at this moment by the captain to play a key role of the great linguist - was of course "my deared" by the captain, which he heard spoken directly from Eustazy lisps:
- My DEAR, I could not part with such a good company, and therefore I called you here. I will dictate you a few letters, and you will quickly shorthand them, to deal with them in the shortest time, as they are very urgent.
Adolf Ardschuller had no stenographic skills, but after serving so long under captain Eustazy Borkowski, he has already learned many things, and above all - not to oppose any EVIL resulting from the unexpected and bizarre whims of the inspired captain.
The captain of course knew that Adolf, although speaking fluent German and English, had no knowledge of stenography, and therefore he feared of outbreak of Adolf's mindless sincerity. Despite this, he ordered:
- My DEAR begin shorthanding!
And he began to quickly dictate, in his nasal speech, a letter in German to Hamburg, regarding a tender for new anchors. In the flood of galloping words the captain would occasionally interject a question in Polish:
- MY DEAR, did you get it?
Adolf's sparse head hair bristled at first at the news that he supposed to shorthand the letter, and he was about to apologize for lack of stenographic skills, but this moment of stupor, spotted in time by the captain, was overflowed with a stream of quick German, which Adolf spoke fluently. Ardschuller knew that the matters of this kind are taken care by the inspectorate of the Ship Line, without the participation of the either the ship or the captain - and in addition, in Denmark - so he realized that he was expected to play a role of a great stenographer and that the scene with the letters was a MIRAGE created by his boss.
- MY DEAR, add that the case should be treated as very urgent. Adolf has already fallen into rhythm of his captain and, like an echo repeated in Polish - Yes sir, as very urgent - stressing it again more strongly in German.
A blissful smile of satisfaction passed across the face of captain Eustazy. Ardschuller found himself in his allotted role.
- Now the second letter, MY DEAR.
The addressee was a shipyard in France, where the captain wanted to dock "Kosciuszko" in the near future, during this trip. Ardschuller had very foggy idea about French but the marks he placed on the paper could as well contain the French text, like any other one. He even drew them faster than the captain dictated. The only word he understood from this letter was: CHERBOURG. It was there that the captain decided to dock "Kosciuszko", although it was known that the docking would actually take place in Gdańsk.
- Write down, MY DEAR: TREAT THE CASE AS EXTREMELY URGENT.
An epistle to Seville no longer caused any internal resistance of Adolf. Since he did not understand a single word pronounced by the captain, he could - while applying stenography - wholeheartedly devote himself to writing down the most sophisticated characters. When the captain paused - giving him thereby a hint that he should acknowledge the letter - Ardschuller said: "Yes sir: EXTREMELY URGENT."
After a while he noted with delight and wrote it down with the help of several "worms" a new address: ILUSTRISSIMO SENHOR DOCTOR FREDERICO DE OLIYIERA. TRAYESSA, SANTA CATARINA. TRINTA SETĘ LISBOA PORTUGAL.
And then: EXCELENTISSIMO SENHOR DOCTOR!
He knew now that he was writing a letter in Portuguese, and - with his newly acquired knowledge of stenography - put down the marks efficient and surely - reproducing, previously seen, Arabic script and Sanskrit.
Between the toasts raised from time in honour of the "dearest" and "beloved" guests Adolf was able to fish the familiar word, STOCKHOLM. He knew then that he was handwriting in Swedish. To enliven the monotony of worm-making he asked the captain the question:
- Is this letter, sir, also to be regarded as URGENT?
- MY DEAR, how can you ask such things? You see it for yourself, following the wording of the letter. In any case - if it was not so urgent - we would not be boring our dear guests with this correspondence.
Next, from the graceful and melodic Italian speech Adolf picked up a city name of Genova La Superba. Other than that he had no problems with the letter.
In a letter to Halifax, Canada, the captain appointed a committee of experts to verify the decision on damages occurred during a storm in a previous trip, because some informality was found in the previous investigation - and which had to be clarified in the next trip. Writing this down, Ardschuller could remember neither the storm nor the committee in Halifax - yet he admired the spirit and inventiveness of captain Eustazy. And again he chanted in the appropriate moment: - Yes sir, VERY URGENT.
It was hard to guess how many more such urgent letters captain Eustazy had in store. After this last letter, however, the "dear guests" - before whom the captain was demonstrating his linguistic abilities - became seized with general astonishment. Their astonishment, however, focused on a different direction. Visitors knew that the captain knows a dozen languages, but the ability of a clerk to be familiar with as many languages, combined with his skill of stenography, put him in some an unprecedented position of unique linguistic and fame. The acclaims of distinguished guests were consistent and unanimous that the clerk of such exceptional abilities wastes his life working on this ship, rather than playing a dominant role as a diplomat somewhere. What's worse, some guests have already begun showing some signs of their designs towards Adolf.
Such unexpected change of their of interest forced the captain to the immediate response. Instead of a new letter in a different language, Ardschuller heard the order in Polish, given in fairly clear, non-nasal voice.
- MY DEAR, start typing these letters immediately now, with copies to the Directorate in Warsaw, for the Office of the Port of Gdynia and to the Ship. Report when they are ready to be signed.
Yes, sir! Report when they are ready to be signed.
Adolf came back from the bar, pale and nervous. Questioned by fellow officers, he initially did not answer. After a while, he whispered to himself:
- He will fire me for sure, as two times two is four!
- For what? - asked a friend with concern in his voice.
- For what? For the fact that I out-shined him. During only dozen of minutes he taught me French, Spanish, Portuguese, Swedish and Italian. He taught me the art of fast note taking in those languages - as well as in German and English! But he does not know the stenography, so I out-shined him in front of his guests. He will fire me!
He was not fired. In this case, captain Eustazy proved to be generous and for that stenographic performance he gave Adolf a carton of cigarettes "Lucky Strike". And the linguistic-stenographic abilities of Adolf Ardschuller, an assistant clerk on the "Kosciuszko", were often the subject of admiration in the messes of our "Transatlantics".
- Translated from: Szaman Morski by Karol Olgierd Borchardt
boletus
14 Jun 2011
History / Symbols & Signs in Polish History, Culture & Life [89]
"Rogatywka", a Polish generic name for an asymmetrical, peaked, four-pointed military cap used by various Polish military formations throughout the ages.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rogatywka
The term "róg" mean a horn, but also a corner. Rogatywka = a cap with corners. No army in the world have ever used this sort of cap - unless you go way back centuries ago.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Czapka
"Rogatywka", a Polish generic name for an asymmetrical, peaked, four-pointed military cap used by various Polish military formations throughout the ages.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rogatywka
The term "róg" mean a horn, but also a corner. Rogatywka = a cap with corners. No army in the world have ever used this sort of cap - unless you go way back centuries ago.
Czapka is a Polish generic word for a cap. However, it is perhaps best known to English speakers as a word for the 19th century Polish cavalry headgear, consisting of a high, four-pointed cap with regimental insignia on the front (full name in Polish: czapka rogatywka, initially: konfederatka) to which feathers or rosettes were sometimes added.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Czapka
Contemporary "Rogatywka"
Czapka of a wachtmeister of 1st Uhlan Regiment of Polish Legions
boletus
13 Jun 2011
History / Lancers' fantasies (fantaisies) - Polish revellers [5]
Actually the origin of the quote is attributed to : Antoine Charles Louis Lassalle, a commander of chevau-léger, French Light Cavalry, when attempting ride up the stairs of Cezarini Palazzo in Peruggia. I could not confirm it, but since Lasalle was a daredevil, that makes sense. Wieniawa-Długoszowski was probably mocking himself when drunk.
/wiki/Antoine_Charles_Louis_de_Lasalle
So he was a Pole in heart, therefore we are not off topic here. :-)
Actually the origin of the quote is attributed to : Antoine Charles Louis Lassalle, a commander of chevau-léger, French Light Cavalry, when attempting ride up the stairs of Cezarini Palazzo in Peruggia. I could not confirm it, but since Lasalle was a daredevil, that makes sense. Wieniawa-Długoszowski was probably mocking himself when drunk.
Lassalle was a superb horseman and once rode into a ball where he made his mount dance.
In 1807 Napoleon authorized the raising of a guard regiment of Polish light horse. Applicants traveled to Paris, having established a considerable reputation for drunkenness and disorder on the way. Under General Lasalle they were given an intensive course in horsemanship and discipline becoming one of the finest regiments in the Imperial Guard. Lasalle, like many cavalry officers, enjoyed leading the Poles into combat.
An officer of the Poles wrote: "It was in Lasalle's school that we learned outpost duty. We have kept a precious memory of this general in whom all the lovable and imposing qualities of a born marshal were combined ...
An officer of the Poles wrote: "It was in Lasalle's school that we learned outpost duty. We have kept a precious memory of this general in whom all the lovable and imposing qualities of a born marshal were combined ...
/wiki/Antoine_Charles_Louis_de_Lasalle
So he was a Pole in heart, therefore we are not off topic here. :-)
boletus
13 Jun 2011
Life / The Polish Way to Ask Questions [41]
I often answer: "Pretty bad, thank you". Very few take notice. But when I say "Ça va mal" in response to "Comment ça va?" it is immediately noticed. Cultural differences? French seem to me more inquisitive, English are easily bored.
Poles are more open - hence they ask and tell plenty of personal details in the first meeting. Others are more reserved and let such details to be told later, during the next beer sessions. Both have their pluses and minuses. The other day I was accosted by a 40-years-old man to interpret something for him. In return he told me all his life story in the first five minutes - including having spent some time in jail, and about having to run out of Poland for fear of his life and of his family one - and then he started grilling me for details - such as my email address and my phone number. When I politely declined he was baffled. I wonder why?
one person lies about wanting to know something and the respondent often lies about how she or he is in fact doing.
I often answer: "Pretty bad, thank you". Very few take notice. But when I say "Ça va mal" in response to "Comment ça va?" it is immediately noticed. Cultural differences? French seem to me more inquisitive, English are easily bored.
Poles are more open - hence they ask and tell plenty of personal details in the first meeting. Others are more reserved and let such details to be told later, during the next beer sessions. Both have their pluses and minuses. The other day I was accosted by a 40-years-old man to interpret something for him. In return he told me all his life story in the first five minutes - including having spent some time in jail, and about having to run out of Poland for fear of his life and of his family one - and then he started grilling me for details - such as my email address and my phone number. When I politely declined he was baffled. I wonder why?
boletus
13 Jun 2011
Life / The Polish Way to Ask Questions [41]
Funny, you are not serious, are you? I thought that such things are all in the past. I remember talks and jokes about people from Galicja ("Galicjaki"), from "Kongresówka" (Congress Kingdom), and "Bambry" (Poznań Bambers). But there were never any ill feelings to any of those - at least in our house. Practical jokes, yes. For example, no warning was ever given to a "Pomorzak" (from Pomerania) when creamy horse radish was served.
For example if I met with Cracovian I would instantly know that he would feel some resentment towards me .
Funny, you are not serious, are you? I thought that such things are all in the past. I remember talks and jokes about people from Galicja ("Galicjaki"), from "Kongresówka" (Congress Kingdom), and "Bambry" (Poznań Bambers). But there were never any ill feelings to any of those - at least in our house. Practical jokes, yes. For example, no warning was ever given to a "Pomorzak" (from Pomerania) when creamy horse radish was served.
boletus
13 Jun 2011
News / Tusk drops Chinese COVEC building the A2 motorway in Poland [83]
COVEC is out - decided GDDKiA . - We are now analyzing two lawful solutions: either a tender or the negotiations - said the deputy director of GDDKiA, Andrzej Maciejewski.
- There are two sections of the road to be built: A and C, but we still do not know whether they will be handled by one or by two contractors. The next 14 days is a period for the decision to become bounding. The Chinese have been informed about it - said Maciejewski at a press conference.
- We have talked so far with 16 companies, which expressed interest in the contract. There are still others contacting us and we will be analyzing their offers. Public Procurement Law gives us the opportunity to resume the work as soon as in July. The interested companies are examining the construction site, and they will have to determine when they can start and how much do they want - he added.
Maciejewski announced that GDDKiA intends to pursue the compensation of 741 million zł from the Chinese. - This is to be compensation for lost toll revenue collectable from drivers at the tool gates.
- Bank guarantees of 130 million PLN are secure in the COVEC accounts - he added.
Who has made a mistake? Who will not get the money?
When asked about the settlement of amounts owed to subcontractors by COVEC, which approximately amounts to a total of several tens of million zł, he mentioned a number of 20 subcontractors, approved by the GDDKiA, and who - in accordance with his previous promises - will be paid by the investor, GDDKiA.
- But there is a lot more of the subcontractors, which are not approved yet. From what I remember, there are 60 or more such companies in the section C alone - said Maciejewski.
Responding to Chinese allegations that GDDKiA also did not pay on time and that there were unexpected difficulties in the market - he said: "The General Directorate has done everything required for the investment to be carried out in accordance with state of the art. It is up to the contractor to make calculation of the exchange rate risk, or of changes in prices of building materials".
Maciejewski also assured once again that almost certainly the work will be resumed in July, so that the motorway A2 will be drivable by the of May 2012, as planned.
COVEC has met with an unpleasant welcome in Poland.
Chinese papers say that the company COVEC, which was to built two sections of A2 motorway in Poland, was met with an unpleasant welcome in our country. On Saturday, the English-language "China Daily" reprinted excerpts from the Friday's article of Chinese journal "Renmin Ribao", which is considered the mouthpiece of the Chinese government.
"Despite the best efforts of the Chinese, the Polish side almost deliberately interfered in the work, and even attempted to resort to diplomatic means to politicize the issue" - says the author of the article entitled "China's company has met with an unpleasant welcome in Poland."
Due to the fact that the Polish side has significantly raised the construction standards, and because of the rising prices of construction materials and unforeseen geological conditions, the cost of project has risen exorbitantly. The Chinese company would therefore have to add $393.34 million dollars of its own money to the project.
ETC, etc..
China does not like loosing face. Never. Now we are at war with Chinese propaganda.
COVEC is out - decided GDDKiA . - We are now analyzing two lawful solutions: either a tender or the negotiations - said the deputy director of GDDKiA, Andrzej Maciejewski.
- There are two sections of the road to be built: A and C, but we still do not know whether they will be handled by one or by two contractors. The next 14 days is a period for the decision to become bounding. The Chinese have been informed about it - said Maciejewski at a press conference.
- We have talked so far with 16 companies, which expressed interest in the contract. There are still others contacting us and we will be analyzing their offers. Public Procurement Law gives us the opportunity to resume the work as soon as in July. The interested companies are examining the construction site, and they will have to determine when they can start and how much do they want - he added.
Maciejewski announced that GDDKiA intends to pursue the compensation of 741 million zł from the Chinese. - This is to be compensation for lost toll revenue collectable from drivers at the tool gates.
- Bank guarantees of 130 million PLN are secure in the COVEC accounts - he added.
Who has made a mistake? Who will not get the money?
When asked about the settlement of amounts owed to subcontractors by COVEC, which approximately amounts to a total of several tens of million zł, he mentioned a number of 20 subcontractors, approved by the GDDKiA, and who - in accordance with his previous promises - will be paid by the investor, GDDKiA.
- But there is a lot more of the subcontractors, which are not approved yet. From what I remember, there are 60 or more such companies in the section C alone - said Maciejewski.
Responding to Chinese allegations that GDDKiA also did not pay on time and that there were unexpected difficulties in the market - he said: "The General Directorate has done everything required for the investment to be carried out in accordance with state of the art. It is up to the contractor to make calculation of the exchange rate risk, or of changes in prices of building materials".
Maciejewski also assured once again that almost certainly the work will be resumed in July, so that the motorway A2 will be drivable by the of May 2012, as planned.
COVEC has met with an unpleasant welcome in Poland.
Chinese papers say that the company COVEC, which was to built two sections of A2 motorway in Poland, was met with an unpleasant welcome in our country. On Saturday, the English-language "China Daily" reprinted excerpts from the Friday's article of Chinese journal "Renmin Ribao", which is considered the mouthpiece of the Chinese government.
"Despite the best efforts of the Chinese, the Polish side almost deliberately interfered in the work, and even attempted to resort to diplomatic means to politicize the issue" - says the author of the article entitled "China's company has met with an unpleasant welcome in Poland."
Due to the fact that the Polish side has significantly raised the construction standards, and because of the rising prices of construction materials and unforeseen geological conditions, the cost of project has risen exorbitantly. The Chinese company would therefore have to add $393.34 million dollars of its own money to the project.
ETC, etc..
China does not like loosing face. Never. Now we are at war with Chinese propaganda.
boletus
13 Jun 2011
Life / The Polish Way to Ask Questions [41]
Oh, come on Monia, I am not stereotyping, I just find it funny, when somebody asks it at the opening of the first conversation. And I always explain it to them jokingly, why such question seems humorous to me.
I've tried to explain it a bit more in my second post here. I will just expand a bit upon it: Imagine Canadian long distances, people (yes, the same people who ask that question) driving 200-400 km just to reach their cottage or a chosen fishing spot, and yet "what part of Poland are you from" still seems important. The same people that had crossed the Atlantic to get here. "I am from Poland" - shouldn't it be enough for both of us to feel comfy?
No, not everyone ask such questions, of course. None of my close friends would ever do it, because most of used to moved a lot, when still back in Poland. I really feel that such info is immaterial, because it does not tell you anything about me. Really, ask me about my hobbies, outdoor adventures - I am all yours. :-)
why are you stereotyping
Oh, come on Monia, I am not stereotyping, I just find it funny, when somebody asks it at the opening of the first conversation. And I always explain it to them jokingly, why such question seems humorous to me.
I've tried to explain it a bit more in my second post here. I will just expand a bit upon it: Imagine Canadian long distances, people (yes, the same people who ask that question) driving 200-400 km just to reach their cottage or a chosen fishing spot, and yet "what part of Poland are you from" still seems important. The same people that had crossed the Atlantic to get here. "I am from Poland" - shouldn't it be enough for both of us to feel comfy?
No, not everyone ask such questions, of course. None of my close friends would ever do it, because most of used to moved a lot, when still back in Poland. I really feel that such info is immaterial, because it does not tell you anything about me. Really, ask me about my hobbies, outdoor adventures - I am all yours. :-)
boletus
13 Jun 2011
History / Lancers' fantasies (fantaisies) - Polish revellers [5]
I start with a symbol of Polish Army in inter-bellum.
GeneraÅ‚ BolesÅ‚aw Wieniawa-DÅ‚ugoszowski - The first chevau-léger among poets
The palm of priority when it comes to drunken exploits, deservedly belongs to the General Bolesław Wieniawa-Długoszowski. A friend of Marshal Pilsudski, witty, intelligent, a doctor by profession, soldier by choice, a poet by avocation, a diplomat by necessity, would-be president, remained - throughout the twentieth of the last century - embodiment of the best and worst features of the Polish army.
When Marshal entrusted him with command of the first regiment of light cavalry, he asked him to make sure that soldiers do not drink too much. On this Wieniawa replied: "You might be assured, my Commandant, that they certainly will not drink more than I."
His first act after the nomination was to call the regiment's adjutant, a captain, also a known reveller. - Look here, we can not both pursue a similar lifestyle at the same time! Imagine how the regiment would look like. Let's agree, I drink one week, and you dear captain - the next one, and so on. After half a year the captain asked to be transferred from Warsaw. As an explanation he stated that he have been waiting for "his week" for six months.
Wieniawa made sure that the capital's salons talked about him and his exploits. His saying, when drunk, and could not make up the first floor of restaurant Adria: "Well, gentlemen, the joking has ended, here start the stairs" became very popular in Poland.
He believed that, in the life of a real cavalryman, the three Ks are most important: koń - a horse, koniak - cognac and kobieta - a woman, in that order of course. Moreover, he taught this maxim to his subordinates.
One time he collected a bunch of Warsaw's street prostitutes, set them in fours and arranged a military drill - issuing orders from the roof of the car.
Quotes from Generał Bolesław Wieniawa-Długoszowski
Adolf! I will never forget it (what you have done).
Description: The words shouted from the window of the train departing for Rome, addressed to Adolf Dymsza, the actor. A parody of the same words spoken by Benito Mussolini to Adolf Hitler.
GENERAL BOLES£AW Wieniawa-D£UGOSZOWSKI
former colonel
Description: A content of a business card Wieniawa ordered for his friends after receiving the general nomination.
More here:
pl.wikiquote.org/wiki/Bolesław_Wieniawa-Długoszowski
I start with a symbol of Polish Army in inter-bellum.
GeneraÅ‚ BolesÅ‚aw Wieniawa-DÅ‚ugoszowski - The first chevau-léger among poets
The palm of priority when it comes to drunken exploits, deservedly belongs to the General Bolesław Wieniawa-Długoszowski. A friend of Marshal Pilsudski, witty, intelligent, a doctor by profession, soldier by choice, a poet by avocation, a diplomat by necessity, would-be president, remained - throughout the twentieth of the last century - embodiment of the best and worst features of the Polish army.
When Marshal entrusted him with command of the first regiment of light cavalry, he asked him to make sure that soldiers do not drink too much. On this Wieniawa replied: "You might be assured, my Commandant, that they certainly will not drink more than I."
His first act after the nomination was to call the regiment's adjutant, a captain, also a known reveller. - Look here, we can not both pursue a similar lifestyle at the same time! Imagine how the regiment would look like. Let's agree, I drink one week, and you dear captain - the next one, and so on. After half a year the captain asked to be transferred from Warsaw. As an explanation he stated that he have been waiting for "his week" for six months.
Wieniawa made sure that the capital's salons talked about him and his exploits. His saying, when drunk, and could not make up the first floor of restaurant Adria: "Well, gentlemen, the joking has ended, here start the stairs" became very popular in Poland.
He believed that, in the life of a real cavalryman, the three Ks are most important: koń - a horse, koniak - cognac and kobieta - a woman, in that order of course. Moreover, he taught this maxim to his subordinates.
One time he collected a bunch of Warsaw's street prostitutes, set them in fours and arranged a military drill - issuing orders from the roof of the car.
Quotes from Generał Bolesław Wieniawa-Długoszowski
Adolf! I will never forget it (what you have done).
Description: The words shouted from the window of the train departing for Rome, addressed to Adolf Dymsza, the actor. A parody of the same words spoken by Benito Mussolini to Adolf Hitler.
GENERAL BOLES£AW Wieniawa-D£UGOSZOWSKI
former colonel
Description: A content of a business card Wieniawa ordered for his friends after receiving the general nomination.
More here:
pl.wikiquote.org/wiki/Bolesław_Wieniawa-Długoszowski
boletus
13 Jun 2011
History / Symbols & Signs in Polish History, Culture & Life [89]
Two-finger salute
Two-finger salute
Ludwik Solski, as Old Veteran, by Wyspiañski
boletus
13 Jun 2011
History / Symbols & Signs in Polish History, Culture & Life [89]
I was only joking a little :-)
pl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kasztanka
I was only joking a little :-)
pl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kasztanka
pilsudski_na_kasztan.jpg
boletus
13 Jun 2011
News / Tusk drops Chinese COVEC building the A2 motorway in Poland [83]
I saw the first picture some time ago. It is actually a hole in a bridge. Luckily the driver escaped unharmed - so we may laugh here at their technology.
I saw the first picture some time ago. It is actually a hole in a bridge. Luckily the driver escaped unharmed - so we may laugh here at their technology.
boletus
13 Jun 2011
Life / How many Jewish people live in Poland? [145]
To be fair: Do you deny that some kapos in Nazi concentration camps were Jewish?
jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/Holocaust/kapos.html
To be fair: Do you deny that some kapos in Nazi concentration camps were Jewish?
jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/Holocaust/kapos.html
boletus
13 Jun 2011
Travel / Polish trains often get frozen and are overcrowded? :-) [35]
For all the lovers/haters of Polish railways, for all aficionados of steam locomotives and narrow gauge trains, for followers of new technologies (tilting trains, etc.): visit "Behind The Water Tower" blog. Very informative and enjoyable.
polishrail.wordpress.com
Getting all hot and steamy with a bunch of Polish girls
blogs.timeslive.co.za/wanderer/2011/07/04/getting-all-hot-and-steamy-with-a-bunch-of-polish-girls/
What a title it is - as if taken directly from Polish Forum pages! :-) But the Polish girls, with a names like Beautiful Helen, are steam locomotives, still in service, running from Wolsztyn, Poland. Now any locomotive enthusiast can drive one of those beauties:
And the story about two stubborn British locomotive-mad brothers Howard and Trevor Jones, who have saved all those steamy beauties and Wolsztyn facilities is here: timeslive.co.za/lifestyle/travel/2011/07/02/five-minutes-to-midnight
For all the lovers/haters of Polish railways, for all aficionados of steam locomotives and narrow gauge trains, for followers of new technologies (tilting trains, etc.): visit "Behind The Water Tower" blog. Very informative and enjoyable.
polishrail.wordpress.com
Getting all hot and steamy with a bunch of Polish girls
blogs.timeslive.co.za/wanderer/2011/07/04/getting-all-hot-and-steamy-with-a-bunch-of-polish-girls/
What a title it is - as if taken directly from Polish Forum pages! :-) But the Polish girls, with a names like Beautiful Helen, are steam locomotives, still in service, running from Wolsztyn, Poland. Now any locomotive enthusiast can drive one of those beauties:
The Wolsztyn Experience operates year-round. Rates for the one-week footplate course start at £825 (£925 from April-June), including accommodation. Participants are guaranteed five "turns" or return trips, driving one way, stoking the other. For those short of time, the depot offers weekend courses with rates starting at £130 per return trip.
And the story about two stubborn British locomotive-mad brothers Howard and Trevor Jones, who have saved all those steamy beauties and Wolsztyn facilities is here: timeslive.co.za/lifestyle/travel/2011/07/02/five-minutes-to-midnight
boletus
13 Jun 2011
News / Tusk drops Chinese COVEC building the A2 motorway in Poland [83]
No answers yet on A2, the lawyers seem to be working very hard to avoid any mistakes. I understand that.. :-)
In meantime - see the current status of motorways' construction, from money.pl
Legend:
black - existing
green, continuous - under construction
green, dashed - tender and preparation
yellow - endangered
orange - motorway network as promised by PO
Agencies, which were checking the COVEC, did not notice that the Chinese consortium has already failed in one construction in Poland - says RMF FM. Three years ago the company won the tender for the construction of hotel Gromada in Cracow. The pattern was similar to that of the A2 projects. The Chinese did not deliver on time, had too few workers and they changed subcontractors like gloves. The result? To finish the project Gromada had to add extra 20 million zlotys.
"The cost of the construction, if we close it, will be 40 percent higher than that which was negotiated. I would never again fall into a trap of price" - says the Gromada president, Jan Blonski.
The same problems arose during the construction of A2. The government will now have to pay a fortune to finish the road ahead of Euro 2012.
No answers yet on A2, the lawyers seem to be working very hard to avoid any mistakes. I understand that.. :-)
In meantime - see the current status of motorways' construction, from money.pl
Legend:
black - existing
green, continuous - under construction
green, dashed - tender and preparation
yellow - endangered
orange - motorway network as promised by PO
Agencies, which were checking the COVEC, did not notice that the Chinese consortium has already failed in one construction in Poland - says RMF FM. Three years ago the company won the tender for the construction of hotel Gromada in Cracow. The pattern was similar to that of the A2 projects. The Chinese did not deliver on time, had too few workers and they changed subcontractors like gloves. The result? To finish the project Gromada had to add extra 20 million zlotys.
"The cost of the construction, if we close it, will be 40 percent higher than that which was negotiated. I would never again fall into a trap of price" - says the Gromada president, Jan Blonski.
The same problems arose during the construction of A2. The government will now have to pay a fortune to finish the road ahead of Euro 2012.
Motorways in Poland
boletus
12 Jun 2011
News / Tusk drops Chinese COVEC building the A2 motorway in Poland [83]
Wait ... Here is another little jewel:
Well, if this is true then this sounds like a pure comedy, "gra w chińczyka".
But since this news seems to be a non-confirmed gossip I'll skip the rest of the message and wait for tomorrow's news and details.
The Chinese will not be building the A2, and there will be a new tender call - this is the most probable decision regarding the construction of the highway from £Ã³dź to Warsaw - reports Mariusz Gierszewski, Radio ZET. He learned about this from "the government circles".
Wait ... Here is another little jewel:
The Polish side will want to recover 130 million zlotys of bank guarantees. Realistically, only 10 million zloty is to be easily recovered since it was guaranteed by Deutsche Bank. The remaining sum was underwritten by Chinese banks and recovery of that money may not be easy.
Well, if this is true then this sounds like a pure comedy, "gra w chińczyka".
But since this news seems to be a non-confirmed gossip I'll skip the rest of the message and wait for tomorrow's news and details.
boletus
12 Jun 2011
Life / The Polish Way to Ask Questions [41]
Well, this is not that simple. Have you ever heard a term "uprooted"? :-) A lot of Poles have been uprooted after the WWII and became "ptoki" (birds), as opposed to "krzoki"(bush) - as they say in Silesia.
There is one more thing Maaarysia: Province of Ontario, where I live, is three times the size of Poland. If you live up north, your nearest neighbour may live dozens of miles away and yet the first Pole you meet needs to immediately know the name of your home village in Poland. With all due respect - this is all about distance and perspective, or lack of it. :-)
People in Poland ask me even of what part of my city I come from. Have you heard the term małe ojczyzny?
Well, this is not that simple. Have you ever heard a term "uprooted"? :-) A lot of Poles have been uprooted after the WWII and became "ptoki" (birds), as opposed to "krzoki"(bush) - as they say in Silesia.
There is one more thing Maaarysia: Province of Ontario, where I live, is three times the size of Poland. If you live up north, your nearest neighbour may live dozens of miles away and yet the first Pole you meet needs to immediately know the name of your home village in Poland. With all due respect - this is all about distance and perspective, or lack of it. :-)
boletus
12 Jun 2011
Life / The Polish Way to Ask Questions [41]
This is true, I am aware of this strange habit. I think it is specific to Polish American/Canadian immigrants, who still virtually live in their little villages, where they or their parents came from. It does not annoy me, but it makes me laugh. So when I answer: I was born in X, and then my parents worked in Y, Z and W; and then I studied at P and found my first work there - they are shocked and baffled. So they ask the next question: but surely, you are from somewhere, aren't you? All they want is a nice, warm feeling of belonging to the same group or being of a better group, or whatever.
In the old 1967 comedy "Sami swoi" (Our Folks),
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sami_swoi
about two families of sworn enemies but who could not live without each other, in the initial scene of the film Pawlak jumps out of resettlement freight wagon at the sight of a cow of his rival Kargul and exclaims: - "why to look for a strange enemy, when we have our own here!"
what part of Poland are you from"
This is true, I am aware of this strange habit. I think it is specific to Polish American/Canadian immigrants, who still virtually live in their little villages, where they or their parents came from. It does not annoy me, but it makes me laugh. So when I answer: I was born in X, and then my parents worked in Y, Z and W; and then I studied at P and found my first work there - they are shocked and baffled. So they ask the next question: but surely, you are from somewhere, aren't you? All they want is a nice, warm feeling of belonging to the same group or being of a better group, or whatever.
In the old 1967 comedy "Sami swoi" (Our Folks),
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sami_swoi
about two families of sworn enemies but who could not live without each other, in the initial scene of the film Pawlak jumps out of resettlement freight wagon at the sight of a cow of his rival Kargul and exclaims: - "why to look for a strange enemy, when we have our own here!"
boletus
12 Jun 2011
News / Visegrad Battle Group under the command of Poland [261]
Oh, Visegrad Four representatives still meet, talk, pursue diplomatic tasks and cooperate in various forms but no significant event happened recently worthy to report here. On the other hand the calendar of cultural events funded by International Visegrad Fund is so exhaustive that it would deserve a separate topic. [The Fund is the only one active institution of V4 so far. It has an annual budget of EUR 5 million. It awards grants, scholarships and artist residencies]. So let's stick to V4 proper. Since you are so hungry for any news, Crow, here are few tidbits:
June 6, 2011 - Meeting of foreign ministers of V4 + Japan. The topics included:
+ Overcoming the Great East Japan Earthquake and Enhancing of Nuclear Safety
+ V4+Japan Dialogue and Cooperation: Promoting and deepening partnership
+ European Union - Japan: Strengthening bonds of friendship and cooperation
+ Reform of the United Nations Security Council
See: kormany.hu/download/8/fe/30000/v4_japan_joint_press_statement.pdf
June 7, 2011 - The conference "Visegrad Personalities" was held in Copenhagen, Denmark to pay tribute to four personalities who were involved in the process of demolishing the Iron Curtain: Gieremek, Dubcek, Dinstbier, Antall
June 10, 2011 - Norwegian Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg visited Poland to discuss - among other issues - bilateral cooperation in exploring and extracting natural resources. There are plans to construct Skandel gas pipe and North-South gas axis that Visegrád Group and cooperating countries are willing to open.
June 16, 2011 - Planned meeting of V4 prime ministers
Slovakian Presidency of V4 expires on June 30 and the baton will be passed on Czech Republic. This is a good time to look back and think about future directions. Yes, Balkans will be an important topics.
vlada.gov.sk/24107/
June 16, 2011- Institute of World Policy will present a policy paper "Scenarios for the Development of the Transnistria Conflict. Challenges to European Security" in Warsaw.
Oh, Visegrad Four representatives still meet, talk, pursue diplomatic tasks and cooperate in various forms but no significant event happened recently worthy to report here. On the other hand the calendar of cultural events funded by International Visegrad Fund is so exhaustive that it would deserve a separate topic. [The Fund is the only one active institution of V4 so far. It has an annual budget of EUR 5 million. It awards grants, scholarships and artist residencies]. So let's stick to V4 proper. Since you are so hungry for any news, Crow, here are few tidbits:
June 6, 2011 - Meeting of foreign ministers of V4 + Japan. The topics included:
+ Overcoming the Great East Japan Earthquake and Enhancing of Nuclear Safety
+ V4+Japan Dialogue and Cooperation: Promoting and deepening partnership
+ European Union - Japan: Strengthening bonds of friendship and cooperation
+ Reform of the United Nations Security Council
See: kormany.hu/download/8/fe/30000/v4_japan_joint_press_statement.pdf
June 7, 2011 - The conference "Visegrad Personalities" was held in Copenhagen, Denmark to pay tribute to four personalities who were involved in the process of demolishing the Iron Curtain: Gieremek, Dubcek, Dinstbier, Antall
June 10, 2011 - Norwegian Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg visited Poland to discuss - among other issues - bilateral cooperation in exploring and extracting natural resources. There are plans to construct Skandel gas pipe and North-South gas axis that Visegrád Group and cooperating countries are willing to open.
June 16, 2011 - Planned meeting of V4 prime ministers
Slovakian Presidency of V4 expires on June 30 and the baton will be passed on Czech Republic. This is a good time to look back and think about future directions. Yes, Balkans will be an important topics.
The prime ministers will also hold talks on V4 cooperation with the Eastern Partnership countries, they will evaluate the Hungarian presidency of the EU and discuss the EU financial framework for 2014 - 2020. Other topics to be discussed are - the EU enlargement and cooperation among V4 nation's memory institutes.
vlada.gov.sk/24107/
June 16, 2011- Institute of World Policy will present a policy paper "Scenarios for the Development of the Transnistria Conflict. Challenges to European Security" in Warsaw.
The project was supported by the International Visegrad Fund and the Black Sea Trust, a project of the German Marshall Fund of the United States. It was implemented in partnership with the leading analytical institutions from the Visegrad Group states: Poland, Slovakia, Hungary and the Czech Republic.
boletus
11 Jun 2011
Travel / Krakow to Hradec Kralove? [5]
Logically, considering the border topography, the only large Polish city closest to Hradec Kralove is Wroclaw. It takes about 3 hours to get by bus from Wrocław to Hradec Kralove. The ticket price is about 80.00 PLN. I am sure there are dozens of options how to get from Kraków to Wrocław by bus.
I did some rudimentary check and there is no direct bus connection between Kraków and Hradec Kralove.
But if you can rent a car, then the entire trip would take you only about 5 hours. Follow the route: Kraków, Katowice, Gliwice, Opole, Nysa, Pączków, Kłodzko, Kudowa-Zdrój, Nachod, Nove Mesto, Hradec Kralove.
Logically, considering the border topography, the only large Polish city closest to Hradec Kralove is Wroclaw. It takes about 3 hours to get by bus from Wrocław to Hradec Kralove. The ticket price is about 80.00 PLN. I am sure there are dozens of options how to get from Kraków to Wrocław by bus.
I did some rudimentary check and there is no direct bus connection between Kraków and Hradec Kralove.
But if you can rent a car, then the entire trip would take you only about 5 hours. Follow the route: Kraków, Katowice, Gliwice, Opole, Nysa, Pączków, Kłodzko, Kudowa-Zdrój, Nachod, Nove Mesto, Hradec Kralove.
boletus
11 Jun 2011
News / Human Trafficking in and from Poland [80]
So it must be a new treaty - the ill-fated Chechen family stays in Poland, as I incidentally found out just an hour ago.
A former Ukrainian border guard officer was arrested yesterday by the Ukrainian Security Service. He is accused of organizing human trafficking on the Polish-Ukrainian border, and in particular - of smuggling a Chechen woman, Kamisa Jamaldinov and four of her children, on September 2007.
The man who organized smuggling operation of Kamisa and her children, was wanted since April 2008, when he was identified as a main culprit. He was detained at one of Kiev bazaars, where he worked as a salesman. - We have worked very closely with the Ukrainian side for several months following the tragedy on the border. Later, the Ukrainians have been working on this issue by themselves - said Anna Michalska with the Bieszczady Border Guard.
In 2007, Kamisa and her three daughters - 6-year-old Emma, a 10-year Sieda and 13-year-old Chava - and her 2-year old son Emim wanted to reach Slovakia, and then through Austria go further west. She paid $2700 to the former officer of the Ukrainian border guard.
Kamisa, her son and her husband Pasha - who also had planned to cross the border illegally but after the death of the girls he did so legally - stay in Poland. They live in Wolsztyn, where they were offered an apartment from the local government.
translated from Polish source:
Translated from Polish source:nowiny24.pl
They flee through Bieszczady. Instead of reaching heaven they land in brothels
Chris Potaczała
They flee through Bieszczady to the west. Future prostitutes, criminals ... Bieszczady Border Guards have detained about hundred illegal immigrants last year. Human trafficking and contraband of cigarettes is an everyday reality.
Although the external frontier of the European Union is packed with watchtowers, Asians and citizens of the former Soviet Union continue their attempts to force it and move deep into Poland or further west. Until recently, Poland was considered only a transit country for most immigrants. Today - more and more often - it is treated on an equal footing with other EU countries. Although for an Ukrainian Poland is still a worse place to live than Germany or Italy, but for a Vietnamese or a Chinese - not necessarily so.
Flee both - poor and rich
- Go to see Wólka Kosowska near Warsaw - says an operations officer with Bieszczady Border Guard. - There are many Asians there, this is a big shopping centre. Some of them are legal residents, many others are illegal, with outdated residence permits from the Czech Republic and Slovakia. Many have lived there for 5-6 years.
According to border guards, who interrogate detained immigrants, the belief that illegal immigrants to Europe are solely poor, miserable and persecuted in their countries by totalitarian regimes is completely false. - There are only few such people; the majority of them live at decent level, as evidenced by photographs of their homes, money carried or even clothing - assures the operations officer of Bieszczady Border Guard.
- But their excuses are often similar. They flee to Europe, because they want to quickly settle down and prepare a place for other family members. A myth of a quickly achievable wealth and of unfettered freedom is extremely strong and effectively obscures the reality. Another category of illegals are the common criminals fleeing from justice in their countries.
Over the mountains and forests of the Ukrainian-Polish border go men, women and children. One feels most sorry for the latter - fearful, often frostbitten and hungry. The case of Kamisa the Chechen, who three years ago has lost three daughters in the Bieszczady Mountains, is the most tragic example of a failed human trafficking. Even though it was widely reported, not only in Poland, it has not discouraged other Chechen, Georgian and Moldovan families from following their dreams.
Women land in brothels
- Typically most Ukrainian guides abandon groups of illegal immigrants before they even reach the border - says another operating officer of the Bieszczady Border Guard. - They only point in the direction to go and disappear. In addition, they often lie, telling the disoriented immigrants that Germany is just beyond the forest in front of them. The average Vietnamese, Iraqi or Afghan has no idea where he is, and these people put their entire faith into their guides - who are devoid of any feelings.
On must feel sorry for women, mostly young and pretty, who - after crossing to central Poland or to the West - land in brothels. - Some are aware of the way how they will be paying back for the smuggling, others only learn about it later, at their destination - say the officers. - Vietnamese and Chinese women are in majority. Recently, we stopped a group in which there were a few girls. One had an album of her professional photos. She was well prepared for the new life.
And men? They can be divided into those who want to work illegally and to those who will seek political asylum. - The problem is that, in many cases, they can hardly explain who persecutes them and how - says an officer with the Border Guard facility in Krościenko. - Frequently, it shows that nothing of the sort takes place. But there are cases that whole families flee from war-torn countries - more and more frequently from Afghanistan.
With GPS or blindly
The section of the eastern border, which is controlled by the Bieszczady Border Guard is the toughest. It is hilly, densely wooded, traversed by ravines and streams. On the surface, it is easy for the illegals to hide here, to dodge the chasing border guards and avoid them for miles and miles. Especially if they are led by an experienced guide equipped with GPS. - Once a group of Vietnamese crossed the Polish border near Stuposiany, but we only stopped them at Otryt massif, 28 km away from the border - says an officer from Stuposiany. - This shows how difficult it is to work in such terrain, and that the modern smugglers are equipped with the newest devices.
- We sometimes deliberately allow a larger group of illegals to enter deeply into Polish territory - adds the border police officer. - We are mostly interested in catching the organizers and in liquidation of their smuggling channels. Only then we can talk about success.
Most of individual immigrants, who go on their own, do not even have a map and a compass. This concerns mainly Asians. They wander around, lose their strength - playing with their life. Their trip to Europe often ends up in a hospital - with frostbites, pneumonia, or psychic trauma.
Having left their dearest in home country, paid a smuggler $7,000-8,000 per person and then being caught with almost certain deportation awaiting is a trauma for those people - say border guards.
Sometimes the guards save lives of illegals. Kamisa and her son survived, because the patrol from Ustrzyki Górne spotted them high in the mountains. Two Georgians were also lucky last Winter, when - after forcing their way through the border in vicinity of high pastures - were brought to a hospital in a state of extreme hypothermia. Lucky was also an Iraqi woman who was discovered unconscious in Bukowiec.
In October of this year, a Ukrainian escaped death, who - after breaching the border on the San river - wandered around for few days until he fainted from exhaustion in a grove near Smolnik. He had fresh stitches from recent surgery, diseased kidneys, and perhaps it was his third attempt to break out to the West.
With cigarettes through woods and a river
The border does not lack desperadoes. Last year, another Ukrainian boarded a raft and floated down the San river to Sękowiec. - It was February, a big thaw, the snow was melting fast, and the water rose fast by a minute - reports the border guard from Stuposiany. - And he was on that pontoon, on the rough, cold San... He would have probably floated further down, but the pontoon was punctured, so he had to climb up ashore. It turned out that he spent 11 years - out of his 33 years of age - in prison, and his run down the river was a test in preparation for a potential cigarettes smuggling channel.
The contraband of cigarettes is, in addition to human trafficking, the most serious threat to the Bieszczady section along the eastern border.
Only in September and October last year two Polish-Ukrainian groups were caught. They specialized in smuggling and trafficking of Ukrainian cigarettes.
- Usually, the Ukrainian goods are carried to an agreed upon point in the woods, then picked and transported from there into the Poland - explains the officer from Krościenko. - Involved are mostly young people, sometimes minor, often from dysfunctional families. They do not make big money, but the money is not little either.
Cigarettes are smuggled almost exclusively by residents of the border towns and villages. They are very familiar with the terrain and they know how to avoid patrols. Cartons of cigarettes are carried in backpacks or in boxes wrapped with belts.
Usually one person moves 20 cartons at a time - with 20 packages in carton. In Ukraine, a packet of cigarettes costs an average of 2 PLN, in Poland a peddler sells it for 6-7 PLN.
- With such a profit, the smugglers are ready for anything - emphasizes the officer. - They would not not hesitate to use the knife, and maybe a gun if stopped by a border guard. One of these was pursued by guards for many kilometers. He crashed near Sanok.
Translated from the pages of Polish Border Guard, Bieszczady region:
2011-04-13: Two migrants from Moldova, who were heading to the Western Europe, were detained by officers from Border Guard, Korczowa outpost, in Kobylnica Wołoska - 2.5 km from the border. Two young men: 23-year-old Anatoliy and 27-year-old Vitalik crossed on foot the so-called green border between Ukraine and Poland. They did not have any documents or money. Following an investigation, both citizens of Moldova will be handed over to Ukrainian Border Guard, on the basis of the agreement on the readmission.
2011-05-09: Officers of the Border Guard - from Bieszczady Division, outposts in Wojtkowa and Krościenko - arrested a family of five Afghans in the vicinity of Grąziowa - 10 km from the Polish-Ukrainian border, who crossed the border on foot from the Ukraine to Polish.
The detained illegal migrants are a married couple with a seven-year-old child and their two relatives. They explained that their goal was to reach Western Europe, where they planned to take up a job. While hiking from Ukraine to the Polish Bieszczady they used a compass and a map. They had no documents or money.
2011-06-03 : Yesterday, officers from the Bieszczady Border Guard detained two groups of illegal immigrants. Around noon a Border Guard patrol from Stuposiany outpost, stopped three Georgians near the village of Smolnik, who made the illegal crossing of Ukrainian-Polish border. The migrants are 43-, 42- and 30-years-old. One of them had already tried twice to cross the border by car in 2010 - each time being refused the entry. He then moved to Kiev, until few weeks ago when he was joined by the other two Georgians. They paid 300 euros to an unknown Ukrainian, who led them to the Ukrainian-Border. They explained that they intended to look for a job in Germany.
2011-06-03: Also yesterday, in late evening, officers of the Korczowa outpost, detained a group consisting of 4 people near the village Wielkie Oczy. The migrants - all citizens of Moldova - are a married couple (32- and 23-years old) and their two friends (24- and 19-years-old). One of the men has already been arrested in 2006 by Border Guard officers from Bieszczady Division, when he tried to sneak to Poland in the same illegal way - through the so-called "green border".
The migrants were going to go to Warsaw, to join their friends living there and to try to find jobs with their help.
So it must be a new treaty - the ill-fated Chechen family stays in Poland, as I incidentally found out just an hour ago.
A former Ukrainian border guard officer was arrested yesterday by the Ukrainian Security Service. He is accused of organizing human trafficking on the Polish-Ukrainian border, and in particular - of smuggling a Chechen woman, Kamisa Jamaldinov and four of her children, on September 2007.
The man who organized smuggling operation of Kamisa and her children, was wanted since April 2008, when he was identified as a main culprit. He was detained at one of Kiev bazaars, where he worked as a salesman. - We have worked very closely with the Ukrainian side for several months following the tragedy on the border. Later, the Ukrainians have been working on this issue by themselves - said Anna Michalska with the Bieszczady Border Guard.
In 2007, Kamisa and her three daughters - 6-year-old Emma, a 10-year Sieda and 13-year-old Chava - and her 2-year old son Emim wanted to reach Slovakia, and then through Austria go further west. She paid $2700 to the former officer of the Ukrainian border guard.
boletus: Their story is described in post #1
Kamisa, her son and her husband Pasha - who also had planned to cross the border illegally but after the death of the girls he did so legally - stay in Poland. They live in Wolsztyn, where they were offered an apartment from the local government.
translated from Polish source:
Translated from Polish source:nowiny24.pl
They flee through Bieszczady. Instead of reaching heaven they land in brothels
Chris Potaczała
They flee through Bieszczady to the west. Future prostitutes, criminals ... Bieszczady Border Guards have detained about hundred illegal immigrants last year. Human trafficking and contraband of cigarettes is an everyday reality.
Although the external frontier of the European Union is packed with watchtowers, Asians and citizens of the former Soviet Union continue their attempts to force it and move deep into Poland or further west. Until recently, Poland was considered only a transit country for most immigrants. Today - more and more often - it is treated on an equal footing with other EU countries. Although for an Ukrainian Poland is still a worse place to live than Germany or Italy, but for a Vietnamese or a Chinese - not necessarily so.
Flee both - poor and rich
- Go to see Wólka Kosowska near Warsaw - says an operations officer with Bieszczady Border Guard. - There are many Asians there, this is a big shopping centre. Some of them are legal residents, many others are illegal, with outdated residence permits from the Czech Republic and Slovakia. Many have lived there for 5-6 years.
According to border guards, who interrogate detained immigrants, the belief that illegal immigrants to Europe are solely poor, miserable and persecuted in their countries by totalitarian regimes is completely false. - There are only few such people; the majority of them live at decent level, as evidenced by photographs of their homes, money carried or even clothing - assures the operations officer of Bieszczady Border Guard.
- But their excuses are often similar. They flee to Europe, because they want to quickly settle down and prepare a place for other family members. A myth of a quickly achievable wealth and of unfettered freedom is extremely strong and effectively obscures the reality. Another category of illegals are the common criminals fleeing from justice in their countries.
Over the mountains and forests of the Ukrainian-Polish border go men, women and children. One feels most sorry for the latter - fearful, often frostbitten and hungry. The case of Kamisa the Chechen, who three years ago has lost three daughters in the Bieszczady Mountains, is the most tragic example of a failed human trafficking. Even though it was widely reported, not only in Poland, it has not discouraged other Chechen, Georgian and Moldovan families from following their dreams.
Women land in brothels
- Typically most Ukrainian guides abandon groups of illegal immigrants before they even reach the border - says another operating officer of the Bieszczady Border Guard. - They only point in the direction to go and disappear. In addition, they often lie, telling the disoriented immigrants that Germany is just beyond the forest in front of them. The average Vietnamese, Iraqi or Afghan has no idea where he is, and these people put their entire faith into their guides - who are devoid of any feelings.
On must feel sorry for women, mostly young and pretty, who - after crossing to central Poland or to the West - land in brothels. - Some are aware of the way how they will be paying back for the smuggling, others only learn about it later, at their destination - say the officers. - Vietnamese and Chinese women are in majority. Recently, we stopped a group in which there were a few girls. One had an album of her professional photos. She was well prepared for the new life.
And men? They can be divided into those who want to work illegally and to those who will seek political asylum. - The problem is that, in many cases, they can hardly explain who persecutes them and how - says an officer with the Border Guard facility in Krościenko. - Frequently, it shows that nothing of the sort takes place. But there are cases that whole families flee from war-torn countries - more and more frequently from Afghanistan.
With GPS or blindly
The section of the eastern border, which is controlled by the Bieszczady Border Guard is the toughest. It is hilly, densely wooded, traversed by ravines and streams. On the surface, it is easy for the illegals to hide here, to dodge the chasing border guards and avoid them for miles and miles. Especially if they are led by an experienced guide equipped with GPS. - Once a group of Vietnamese crossed the Polish border near Stuposiany, but we only stopped them at Otryt massif, 28 km away from the border - says an officer from Stuposiany. - This shows how difficult it is to work in such terrain, and that the modern smugglers are equipped with the newest devices.
- We sometimes deliberately allow a larger group of illegals to enter deeply into Polish territory - adds the border police officer. - We are mostly interested in catching the organizers and in liquidation of their smuggling channels. Only then we can talk about success.
Most of individual immigrants, who go on their own, do not even have a map and a compass. This concerns mainly Asians. They wander around, lose their strength - playing with their life. Their trip to Europe often ends up in a hospital - with frostbites, pneumonia, or psychic trauma.
Having left their dearest in home country, paid a smuggler $7,000-8,000 per person and then being caught with almost certain deportation awaiting is a trauma for those people - say border guards.
Sometimes the guards save lives of illegals. Kamisa and her son survived, because the patrol from Ustrzyki Górne spotted them high in the mountains. Two Georgians were also lucky last Winter, when - after forcing their way through the border in vicinity of high pastures - were brought to a hospital in a state of extreme hypothermia. Lucky was also an Iraqi woman who was discovered unconscious in Bukowiec.
In October of this year, a Ukrainian escaped death, who - after breaching the border on the San river - wandered around for few days until he fainted from exhaustion in a grove near Smolnik. He had fresh stitches from recent surgery, diseased kidneys, and perhaps it was his third attempt to break out to the West.
With cigarettes through woods and a river
The border does not lack desperadoes. Last year, another Ukrainian boarded a raft and floated down the San river to Sękowiec. - It was February, a big thaw, the snow was melting fast, and the water rose fast by a minute - reports the border guard from Stuposiany. - And he was on that pontoon, on the rough, cold San... He would have probably floated further down, but the pontoon was punctured, so he had to climb up ashore. It turned out that he spent 11 years - out of his 33 years of age - in prison, and his run down the river was a test in preparation for a potential cigarettes smuggling channel.
The contraband of cigarettes is, in addition to human trafficking, the most serious threat to the Bieszczady section along the eastern border.
Only in September and October last year two Polish-Ukrainian groups were caught. They specialized in smuggling and trafficking of Ukrainian cigarettes.
- Usually, the Ukrainian goods are carried to an agreed upon point in the woods, then picked and transported from there into the Poland - explains the officer from Krościenko. - Involved are mostly young people, sometimes minor, often from dysfunctional families. They do not make big money, but the money is not little either.
Cigarettes are smuggled almost exclusively by residents of the border towns and villages. They are very familiar with the terrain and they know how to avoid patrols. Cartons of cigarettes are carried in backpacks or in boxes wrapped with belts.
Usually one person moves 20 cartons at a time - with 20 packages in carton. In Ukraine, a packet of cigarettes costs an average of 2 PLN, in Poland a peddler sells it for 6-7 PLN.
- With such a profit, the smugglers are ready for anything - emphasizes the officer. - They would not not hesitate to use the knife, and maybe a gun if stopped by a border guard. One of these was pursued by guards for many kilometers. He crashed near Sanok.
Translated from the pages of Polish Border Guard, Bieszczady region:
2011-04-13: Two migrants from Moldova, who were heading to the Western Europe, were detained by officers from Border Guard, Korczowa outpost, in Kobylnica Wołoska - 2.5 km from the border. Two young men: 23-year-old Anatoliy and 27-year-old Vitalik crossed on foot the so-called green border between Ukraine and Poland. They did not have any documents or money. Following an investigation, both citizens of Moldova will be handed over to Ukrainian Border Guard, on the basis of the agreement on the readmission.
2011-05-09: Officers of the Border Guard - from Bieszczady Division, outposts in Wojtkowa and Krościenko - arrested a family of five Afghans in the vicinity of Grąziowa - 10 km from the Polish-Ukrainian border, who crossed the border on foot from the Ukraine to Polish.
The detained illegal migrants are a married couple with a seven-year-old child and their two relatives. They explained that their goal was to reach Western Europe, where they planned to take up a job. While hiking from Ukraine to the Polish Bieszczady they used a compass and a map. They had no documents or money.
2011-06-03 : Yesterday, officers from the Bieszczady Border Guard detained two groups of illegal immigrants. Around noon a Border Guard patrol from Stuposiany outpost, stopped three Georgians near the village of Smolnik, who made the illegal crossing of Ukrainian-Polish border. The migrants are 43-, 42- and 30-years-old. One of them had already tried twice to cross the border by car in 2010 - each time being refused the entry. He then moved to Kiev, until few weeks ago when he was joined by the other two Georgians. They paid 300 euros to an unknown Ukrainian, who led them to the Ukrainian-Border. They explained that they intended to look for a job in Germany.
2011-06-03: Also yesterday, in late evening, officers of the Korczowa outpost, detained a group consisting of 4 people near the village Wielkie Oczy. The migrants - all citizens of Moldova - are a married couple (32- and 23-years old) and their two friends (24- and 19-years-old). One of the men has already been arrested in 2006 by Border Guard officers from Bieszczady Division, when he tried to sneak to Poland in the same illegal way - through the so-called "green border".
The migrants were going to go to Warsaw, to join their friends living there and to try to find jobs with their help.
boletus
11 Jun 2011
News / Human Trafficking in and from Poland [80]
Four years ago, in a cold and rainy September day, a Chechen women Kamisa Jamaldinov - with four children in tow, crossed the Ukrainian-Polish border in Bieszczady Mountains, South-Eastern Poland. When they lost their way she left her three daughters under a pitiful pile of branches and leaves and - with her youngest boy of 2.5 - desperately tried to find some help. The two were lucky - they came across the border guards and they survived. The girls - 6, 10 and 13 years old - died of hypothermia.
Now, here is a new story, reported Translated from Polish source.
Doctor: Afghans could die from exhaustion
Dariusz Delmanowicz
The health of Afghan children and their parents, who have been treated at the District Hospital in Ustrzyki Dolne, improves. Extremely exhausted immigrants were found in the Bieszczady Mountains. The youngest of the children, a girl, is only 2 years old. The oldest of five siblings is a 9-year-old boy. They stay in the pediatric ward - accompanied by their parents: 26-year-old mother and 38-year-old father.
The family - as much as we were able to determine - left war-torn Afghanistan two months ago. Last weekend, led by a guide, they arrived at the Polish-Ukrainian border. They crossed it in Sianki, near the sources of river San. And this is where they were found by the Border Guard officers from Stuposiany - on late Sunday afternoon, extremely exhausted. - They just sat there in the bush - says Anna Michalska with Bieszczady Border Guard in Przemyśl. - They were completely exhausted due to a long trek and the current heat waves. They had no food, change of clothes, or even water bottles. Nothing.
- They risked a lot - says doctor Janusz Ejsmond, head of the internal branch of the District Hospital in Ustrzyki Dolne. - If their dehydration lasted longer it could have lead to devastating consequences, especially for the younger patients.
The family will remain in the hospital at least until Friday. They are out of danger now. They might want to ask for refugee status. In a few days the will be transferred to the Guarded Centre for Foreigners in Przemyśl. Nurses from the hospital are moved by the fate of this 7-person family. They collect the most essential clothing and toys. They still remember the story of Kamisa Jamaldinov, who was brought to their hospital in September 2007.
Four years ago, in a cold and rainy September day, a Chechen women Kamisa Jamaldinov - with four children in tow, crossed the Ukrainian-Polish border in Bieszczady Mountains, South-Eastern Poland. When they lost their way she left her three daughters under a pitiful pile of branches and leaves and - with her youngest boy of 2.5 - desperately tried to find some help. The two were lucky - they came across the border guards and they survived. The girls - 6, 10 and 13 years old - died of hypothermia.
Now, here is a new story, reported Translated from Polish source.
Doctor: Afghans could die from exhaustion
Dariusz Delmanowicz
The health of Afghan children and their parents, who have been treated at the District Hospital in Ustrzyki Dolne, improves. Extremely exhausted immigrants were found in the Bieszczady Mountains. The youngest of the children, a girl, is only 2 years old. The oldest of five siblings is a 9-year-old boy. They stay in the pediatric ward - accompanied by their parents: 26-year-old mother and 38-year-old father.
The family - as much as we were able to determine - left war-torn Afghanistan two months ago. Last weekend, led by a guide, they arrived at the Polish-Ukrainian border. They crossed it in Sianki, near the sources of river San. And this is where they were found by the Border Guard officers from Stuposiany - on late Sunday afternoon, extremely exhausted. - They just sat there in the bush - says Anna Michalska with Bieszczady Border Guard in Przemyśl. - They were completely exhausted due to a long trek and the current heat waves. They had no food, change of clothes, or even water bottles. Nothing.
- They risked a lot - says doctor Janusz Ejsmond, head of the internal branch of the District Hospital in Ustrzyki Dolne. - If their dehydration lasted longer it could have lead to devastating consequences, especially for the younger patients.
The family will remain in the hospital at least until Friday. They are out of danger now. They might want to ask for refugee status. In a few days the will be transferred to the Guarded Centre for Foreigners in Przemyśl. Nurses from the hospital are moved by the fate of this 7-person family. They collect the most essential clothing and toys. They still remember the story of Kamisa Jamaldinov, who was brought to their hospital in September 2007.
boletus
11 Jun 2011
Travel / Polish trains often get frozen and are overcrowded? :-) [35]
A narrow gauge Bieszczady Forest Railway (BKL) transports 60-70 thousand passengers annually.
- We are one of the few narrow gauge railways, if not the only one, which is able to support itself - said Stanislaw Wermiński, president of the BKL Foundation. The Foundation has been managing the BKL for the last 15 years.
- Money earned is used the renovation of railway tracks, for salaries and for the purchase of equipment and refurbishment of railway stations - added Wermiński. BKL has three diesel engines, a steam locomotive and 20 wagons.
Daily rides are available in July and August. During the Spring (May-June) and Fall (September-October) seasons the train operates on weekends only. However, the train is available for rent during weekdays. [I assume that Winter rides are out of question - boletus]. BLT runs on two routes: From Cisna to Balnica (on Slovakian border) - 9 km run, and from Cisna to Przysłup - 12 km run.
The original narrow gauge railway was established in Bieszczady in 1897 for logging. In the 30s of the last century it came under the management of the Lwów Directorate of Polish National Railways (PKP). Since then it commenced to carry people as well, and soon it became a tourist attraction. In 1966 the National Forests transferred the administration of the railway to BKL Foundation.
A narrow gauge Bieszczady Forest Railway (BKL) transports 60-70 thousand passengers annually.
- We are one of the few narrow gauge railways, if not the only one, which is able to support itself - said Stanislaw Wermiński, president of the BKL Foundation. The Foundation has been managing the BKL for the last 15 years.
- Money earned is used the renovation of railway tracks, for salaries and for the purchase of equipment and refurbishment of railway stations - added Wermiński. BKL has three diesel engines, a steam locomotive and 20 wagons.
Daily rides are available in July and August. During the Spring (May-June) and Fall (September-October) seasons the train operates on weekends only. However, the train is available for rent during weekdays. [I assume that Winter rides are out of question - boletus]. BLT runs on two routes: From Cisna to Balnica (on Slovakian border) - 9 km run, and from Cisna to Przysłup - 12 km run.
The original narrow gauge railway was established in Bieszczady in 1897 for logging. In the 30s of the last century it came under the management of the Lwów Directorate of Polish National Railways (PKP). Since then it commenced to carry people as well, and soon it became a tourist attraction. In 1966 the National Forests transferred the administration of the railway to BKL Foundation.
Bieszczadzka Kolejka Le¶na
boletus
11 Jun 2011
Travel / Polish trains often get frozen and are overcrowded? :-) [35]
I spent two months in Italy some time ago and the phrase "Il treno è in ritardo" was a ve-e-ery popular phrase then. In translation: "the train is late". You could enhance it with the adverb "molto" - "very", as in "Il treno è in molto ritardo". I heard it every day, at every railway station. Add to it the perpetual railway workers strikes and you should get the entire picture.
Didn't you just imply that you are a seasoned traveller? Hmm, funny..
I spent two months in Italy some time ago and the phrase "Il treno è in ritardo" was a ve-e-ery popular phrase then. In translation: "the train is late". You could enhance it with the adverb "molto" - "very", as in "Il treno è in molto ritardo". I heard it every day, at every railway station. Add to it the perpetual railway workers strikes and you should get the entire picture.
Never to be seen in any other European country.
Didn't you just imply that you are a seasoned traveller? Hmm, funny..
boletus
10 Jun 2011
News / Tusk drops Chinese COVEC building the A2 motorway in Poland [83]
Yes, I have heard about it. The suppliers decisively deny any wrongdoings.
Highway A2: negotiations are so secret that it is not known whether they actually happened
According to unofficial information GDDKiA wants to entrust the completion of the A2 to other companies, without the tender.
Minister of Infrastructure Cezary Grabarczyk argued yesterday in parliament, the Sejm, that the roads are being built at a good pace. The Sejm, however, has not heard any specifics on the situation on the two key sections of the highway between £Ã³dź and Warsaw, which the Chinese want to abandon.
Completing the work without going through a tender would not be a precedent. For example, the city of Wroclaw has removed an original contractor from stadium construction and entrusted the work to another contractor. This decision was taken to the European Commission and the eventual defeat of Wrocław will mean massive damages to be paid.
The presidents of the largest construction firms, interviewed by our editorial staff, responded that it is still possible that the highway will be usable in June 2012.
- This would mean entering the construction site in the next dozen or so days and starting working on three shifts - says President Bu-dimex Mark Blocher. Unofficially, we have heard that in such scenario the cost of construction will grow up by 600 million to 1 billion more than the price of 1.3 billion, negotiated with the Chinese.
There are growing doubts about the credibility of the COVEC. We have no contact with them, but the Polish PR company, which works for them, argues that - according to a reputable website of the construction industry "Engineering News Report" - they are the 127th biggest company in Asia.
A simple verification shows that the supposedly reputable website belongs ... to the same company that owns the domain Covec.com, or Network Solutions, llc. This American company offers services on the Internet, such as creation of mutually linked Web pages, to add credibility to their customers.
The original financial documents of Chinese COVEC show that their cash flow in 2009 was about 1.7 billion zł - that is, only slightly more than the value of the contract for the construction of two sections of A2.
What do we actually know about the COVEC? It was established in 1987, and for several years his sole shareholder has been the China Railway Group Limited.
Thomas Starzyk, with a reputable business information agency Dun & Bradstreet, told us that he ranks them at 5, on scale 1 to 10, with 7 being an average for the construction industry. - Our assessment of China Railway is even worse - he said.
Polish source, Gazeta Prawna.
Apparently there is more to that than I thought. So yes, a clean good bye seems the best of bad options.
Will Chinese move from Poland to Hungary?
According to our source the Chinese consortium COVEC, constructing highway A2, won the tender for the construction of an airport in Hungary. The Chinese therefore might be no longer interested in continuing work on the A2. It may be possible that this new contract is influencing the Chinese to protracted talks with GDDiK.
(...)
According to experts, COVEC underestimated how hermetic the Polish market is. Native contractors have long ago divided the country regions among themselves and they do not interfere with a process of winning contracts by the others. This is why they waited for a new rival from such a big country, which can easily provide cheap labour, with such an anxiety. However, Polish companies have found a weak point of COVEC - lack of specialists who know the language, the Polish law and the twists and turns of the complicated bureaucracy.
- This is the problem the Chinese business faces everywhere in Europe. In Poland it is so much greater, because finding engineers cost them more than they have bargained for - says a market analyst. The same was true with contractors. No one seemed eager to work with the Chinese, because he knew that if he accepted such an order the Polish contractors will not forgive him and he will be literally "cut" of the market - tells us a person with the industry.
Those who have decided to cooperate, demanded exorbitant rates, and - in addition - were systematically "warned" againsted further cooperation. - This practice is an open secret - says the analyst.
The Chinese have problem not only with specialists and subcontractors but also with a "civilization leap", which emerged since the UEFA has awarded us the rights to host Euro 2012. Prices of building materials in Poland, where strategic investments are carried out, went up sharply.
- Imagine that the price of sand, for example in the area motorway A2 under construction, has increased from several to tens of złoty per ton. Seller knows that the client is at his mercy, because the time limits he chases, so he will not be fussy - says a person with the road industry.
Everything changed when COVEC realized that they might get their references (to European market) somewhere else - and with a smaller financial loss. This is why they recently put forward the matter differently - they want to negotiate a better price, and they have their arguments. The GDDKiA agency knows well that full recovery of damages is almost impossible.
- Banks will pay 130 million guarantee, that's for sure. But what about the rest of the 741 million zloty penalty, written in contract? COVEC in Poland has only a desk with a secretary. Therefore the full recovery amounts to a dream. Polish side knows that it is irresponsible to throw COVEC out just like this. So they must negotiate - says the analyst.
Main reason which is not mentioned here is the fact that Chinese are boycotted by suppliers who do not supply them sufficiently with products needed for road construction. Especially they are boycotted by concrete producers ( international corp with mixed polish capital ).
Yes, I have heard about it. The suppliers decisively deny any wrongdoings.
Highway A2: negotiations are so secret that it is not known whether they actually happened
According to unofficial information GDDKiA wants to entrust the completion of the A2 to other companies, without the tender.
Minister of Infrastructure Cezary Grabarczyk argued yesterday in parliament, the Sejm, that the roads are being built at a good pace. The Sejm, however, has not heard any specifics on the situation on the two key sections of the highway between £Ã³dź and Warsaw, which the Chinese want to abandon.
Completing the work without going through a tender would not be a precedent. For example, the city of Wroclaw has removed an original contractor from stadium construction and entrusted the work to another contractor. This decision was taken to the European Commission and the eventual defeat of Wrocław will mean massive damages to be paid.
The presidents of the largest construction firms, interviewed by our editorial staff, responded that it is still possible that the highway will be usable in June 2012.
- This would mean entering the construction site in the next dozen or so days and starting working on three shifts - says President Bu-dimex Mark Blocher. Unofficially, we have heard that in such scenario the cost of construction will grow up by 600 million to 1 billion more than the price of 1.3 billion, negotiated with the Chinese.
There are growing doubts about the credibility of the COVEC. We have no contact with them, but the Polish PR company, which works for them, argues that - according to a reputable website of the construction industry "Engineering News Report" - they are the 127th biggest company in Asia.
A simple verification shows that the supposedly reputable website belongs ... to the same company that owns the domain Covec.com, or Network Solutions, llc. This American company offers services on the Internet, such as creation of mutually linked Web pages, to add credibility to their customers.
The original financial documents of Chinese COVEC show that their cash flow in 2009 was about 1.7 billion zł - that is, only slightly more than the value of the contract for the construction of two sections of A2.
What do we actually know about the COVEC? It was established in 1987, and for several years his sole shareholder has been the China Railway Group Limited.
Thomas Starzyk, with a reputable business information agency Dun & Bradstreet, told us that he ranks them at 5, on scale 1 to 10, with 7 being an average for the construction industry. - Our assessment of China Railway is even worse - he said.
Polish source, Gazeta Prawna.
boycotted by suppliers
Apparently there is more to that than I thought. So yes, a clean good bye seems the best of bad options.
Will Chinese move from Poland to Hungary?
According to our source the Chinese consortium COVEC, constructing highway A2, won the tender for the construction of an airport in Hungary. The Chinese therefore might be no longer interested in continuing work on the A2. It may be possible that this new contract is influencing the Chinese to protracted talks with GDDiK.
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According to experts, COVEC underestimated how hermetic the Polish market is. Native contractors have long ago divided the country regions among themselves and they do not interfere with a process of winning contracts by the others. This is why they waited for a new rival from such a big country, which can easily provide cheap labour, with such an anxiety. However, Polish companies have found a weak point of COVEC - lack of specialists who know the language, the Polish law and the twists and turns of the complicated bureaucracy.
- This is the problem the Chinese business faces everywhere in Europe. In Poland it is so much greater, because finding engineers cost them more than they have bargained for - says a market analyst. The same was true with contractors. No one seemed eager to work with the Chinese, because he knew that if he accepted such an order the Polish contractors will not forgive him and he will be literally "cut" of the market - tells us a person with the industry.
Those who have decided to cooperate, demanded exorbitant rates, and - in addition - were systematically "warned" againsted further cooperation. - This practice is an open secret - says the analyst.
The Chinese have problem not only with specialists and subcontractors but also with a "civilization leap", which emerged since the UEFA has awarded us the rights to host Euro 2012. Prices of building materials in Poland, where strategic investments are carried out, went up sharply.
- Imagine that the price of sand, for example in the area motorway A2 under construction, has increased from several to tens of złoty per ton. Seller knows that the client is at his mercy, because the time limits he chases, so he will not be fussy - says a person with the road industry.
Everything changed when COVEC realized that they might get their references (to European market) somewhere else - and with a smaller financial loss. This is why they recently put forward the matter differently - they want to negotiate a better price, and they have their arguments. The GDDKiA agency knows well that full recovery of damages is almost impossible.
- Banks will pay 130 million guarantee, that's for sure. But what about the rest of the 741 million zloty penalty, written in contract? COVEC in Poland has only a desk with a secretary. Therefore the full recovery amounts to a dream. Polish side knows that it is irresponsible to throw COVEC out just like this. So they must negotiate - says the analyst.