Polonia / What people in Netherlands think about "polaks" [4]

I noticed a bad image of Poland in Netherlands. Part of it is complete false - not only exaggeration about flood of Polish criminals (I'm not denying, that a few exist there), but other silly claims in Dutch media, for example Polish hooligans as communism fighters and famous gangster as a Poland's political prisoner:

History / Looking for This Photo of Main Street Warsaw WW2 [7]

This is a very touching photograph... I would like to see more like this if anyone could attach here..

History / Jaruzelski asked Soviets for assistance [51]


Bierut with Gottwald

Gierek with Husak

Jaruzelski with Husak

Jaruzelski with Jasek:

Sources on demand ;)

Polonia / What people in Netherlands think about "polaks" [4]

Good point...

Hi are there any polish food shops in Arnhem Holland


wiatrak.nl/374/polskie-sklepi-w-holandii

History / The ethics of buying PRL products. Tax? [4]


Most PRL product had "Made in USSR" sign on it, and their sell supported Russia more than Poland.


I'm not sure if it would made much a difference for us, but the Idea itself was very noble. I wish people knew then about it...

Very supportive gesture, no matter how it worked.

Genealogy / Genealogy Polish last names-- Bic/Bikowski/Byk [5]


Quick look at site moikrewni.pl/mapa/ and I've found just one person with name "Bić" registered in Poland - more precisely in Bytom - town less than 100km from Krakow in the west direction.

Surname Bik is far more popular - 1132 people have that name in Poland.
Other names like Byk, Bikowski also exist in Poland
Rare Polish surname beside Bić is Bic - but it's presented either on the list of surnames in Poland:


Probably. It happened often that Polish emigrants in America changed their names and surname "Bić" could be a good example - no "ć" in American alphabet, and very difficult pronunciation for Americans.

Life / Medical / Healthcare Questions in smaller towns in Poland [10]

Alpine air conditions are very beneficial for asthmatics, so maybe Zakopane would be a smart choice. Moreover in this town is Specialist Respiratory Hospital (lung disease care).

Of course in Gdansk are located hospitals (children care also) which accept and cure patients with pneumonia and asthma flares.
So the choice is yours.

Law / Damaged documents. Poland VISA and Work permit information [8]


You need to replace it. The damage of documents may affect the decision.



It's yet another circumstance why you should replace it.


The length of visa applications processing varies. It depends on the country, whose citizens apply for such a document. I don't know nothing about speeding up, but a number of things can slow down the processing of your application. But if everything is fine you may get your Visa quicker than the estimated time frame which you provided.


If all requirements are met, you should be fine. Specific circumstances about Visa denial were presented, check my link above. In case if it happen you may re-apply for the Visa again.


Ask people who are working in the same business or call directly your employer.

Law / How do you get your Polish passport if you live in Poland? [17]

Most likely there:

Małopolski Urząd Wojewódzki
Wydział Spraw Obywatelskich i Cudzoziemców
Oddział Paszportowy
Kraków, Przy Rondzie 6
(sala obsługi paszportowej - passports department, ground floor)

Life / Which is the best mobile network in Poland? [29]

It depends how much you'll be using internet, # landline/ cellular calls, abroad talk, etc... You can buy SIM card from 5-10PLN up to even 500PLN value.

Life / E-Payment to mobile phone service in Poland? Anything like 'Paym'? [5]

Several banks in Poland already offering that type of payments - for example PKO, BZWBK, mBank and Millenium.
There is also MPay - mpay.pl

Life / E-Payment to mobile phone service in Poland? Anything like 'Paym'? [5]

If you're talking about mPay service - it works as you said. But the Bank's mobile services allow transfers to phone number even if the holder don't have account in this Bank. The person will be informed by SMS, how can access of transferred funds.

PKO's service:

BZWBK (read transfer to cell paragraph)

News / Polish Doctor Burzynski finds a cure for incurable cancer [22]

Definitely. Thanks for the video - it's "must watch" document. My mind boggles at this all - what kind of world are we living in??

Law / Polish temporary card (I'm a student and my visa expires) [8]

Maybe they talked about the temporary residence permit regulations applicable from 1st may 2014?

Travel / Recommendations for guide books about Poland's Masurian Lakes? [3]


I've found this guide with English version:

issuu.com/fabrykautu/docs/przewodnik_09www

Check this out yet:

infinitelegroom.com/2013/05/23/how-to-sail-through-masuria-in-poland/
I had it at home (nice album):

kormoran.sklep.pl/wielkie-jeziora-mazurskie-jerzy-baranowski,id10022.html

Other (Polish) guide books about Great Mazurian Lakes:

rewasz.com.pl

Genealogy / Vintage Photos of Polish ancestors [144]


My English isn't fluent and it's not easy to read this, so I can be somewhat mistaken...

Dear Lolek(?)
We are also sending you best birthday wishes. Good health and lot of happiness for your family.
With love ... (the name hard to recognize)
... (somebody's name) not signed this because he is at work and (different name) wants to sent it today. Lolek - I would like so much to know if you received our 2 letters full of photographs sended in the middle of July. If not it would be really a bad luck cause yet one letter which we sent to you at December 1956 came back to us from Canada. We are asking you heartily - write couple of words if you received those letters from July.

Love and kisses for whole of family.
Yours Jolcia(?)
This scenery is from Stara Wies.

Life / Help with Xbox website in Polish ( I need to know how to change language back to English ) [3]

Maybe this helps:


support.xbox.com/en-US/xbox-360/system/dashboard-or-hub-in-another-language

Study / Where in Poland can I obtain Certified Copies of foreign Educational certificates? [3]


As far I know a Certified Copy is provided by every public notary (notariusz) - you'll need the original certificate and you'll get legal confirmation of the copy.

Law / Selling a car without putting it in your name - Multiple Umowas - what's the deal? [25]


To me it's totally illegal - I wouldn't buy a car when a seller on Umowa is not a proper (legal) owner of that car.


According to law car is not their since they are not registered at Umowa - tax is paid by the buyer - new owner - and he is required to register it with own name within 30 days from the date of purchase.

Travel / Getting from Wrocław airport to Książ Castle, near Wałbrzych [6]

Taxi would be of course most convenient - but the cost may be approximately 250PLN.
Another option would be train from PKP Main Station to Walbrzych Miasto, and then bus #8 (from Armii Krajowej Street) directly to Ksiaz Castle.
You may also go to Swiebodzice town from Wrocław (Bus or train) and take a walk to the Ksiaz...
Several other options yet - more or less acceptable.

UK, Ireland / Polish people in the UK using the English version of their name? [56]

Mieczysław is a name of Slavic origin, can mean: the one who gain fame with a sword (miecz). Also: a man with the strength of a bear; or to batter, fight gloriously

Possible English equivalents: Mecislaus, Mitchel, Mitch

Law / Can you examine goods before paying courier in Poland? [4]


Of course - it is always recommended - in case if something gets wrong. But opening the original Item box may not be welcomed by the seller in case of a return. Polish law however allows to return Items purchased online (even opened - in working order) up to 10 days after buy - without providing any reason.

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

Did you try send him a text message?

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


Maybe narrow your search down to the south-east area of Poland .moikrewni.pl/mapa/kompletny/jasion.html

This is the map of Jasion Surname in Poland. You may chat up with Jasion's from Sanok, Krosno, Ustrzyki, Jasło... and ask if somebody knows a Jerzy..

Law / How Can I Get a Polish Driving Licence? (Non-EU citizen living in Poland ) - required documents [8]

What you need are the following: a (filled out) application, proof that you have been here in Poland for at least 185 days, 1 photo 3.5/4.5cm, proof of payment for examination, a medical exam documentation, and a certificate of theory test completion.

Law / How Can I Get a Polish Driving Licence? (Non-EU citizen living in Poland ) - required documents [8]

The first one I found:

OES - Nauka jazdy - Warszawa
Office:
Długa 44/50 lok. 14 (Metro Ratusz Arsenał)
00-241 Warszawa
phone: 791 792 322
open at thursdays 17.30- 20.00
(or after phone registration)

The prices: warszawa.szkola-oes.pl/oferta

The Basic Course in English (B Category) is 1789 PLN

You may find also something interesting at this thread:
https://polishforums.com/life/driving-test-english-speaking-school-20101/

Genealogy / Visit to Suwalki - Maximowicz, Ziezulewicz, Siemak, Jablowska, Gorka, and other surnames [3]

The search results for Nasza Klasa (you must be registered user to view this search)


- Maksimowicz (no Maximowicz surnames in Poland):
nk.pl/#szukaj/profile?q=maksimowicz&city=suwa%C5%82ki&gender=&min_age=&max_age=&referer=sch_a


No results.. - it is a proper surname? No such names in Poland found


- search for Jabłowska (female) or Jabłowski (male form of this surname) - none from Suwałki in NK


- probably Górka:
nk.pl/#szukaj/profile?q=g%C3%B3rka&city=suwa%C5%82ki&gender=&min_age=&max_age=&referer=sch_a

Try also Facebook..

Life / Anybody know of a decent, fairly priced wireless modem compatible with Orange/Neostrada in Poland? [9]

Some of popular routers are attack-prone so if you don't want to play with firmware upgrades or so rather avoid these:

TD-W8901G
TD-8816
TD-8840T
TD-W8951ND
TD-W8961ND
D-Link DSL-2640R
ADSL Modem
AirLive WT-2000ARM
Pentagram Cerberus P 6331-42
ZTE ZXV10 W300

I have 3 different routers for neostrada in my home and everyone is working fine. One of those is just the Pentagram router - it was enough to change some setting in configuration to avoid this:



I use the one who has the best range.

Life / How can I get Canal+? Will I need a satellite dish? [2]

You have two options:

The easiest way would be to have cable tv witch canal + premium channels - but cable isn't available everywhere - it depends on the area.

Satellite dish - online purchase here: ncplus.pl/sklep/oferta/comfortplus-sport - you get promo dish for just 1PLN when buying online,
purchase in one of the NC+ providers in the country: ncplus.pl/oferta/jak-kupic


If it's your first time mounting/installing satellite dish it may be little trouble, but it's doable. You may ask a neighbor who owns a satellite to give you a hand. You need window from south side to mount it. Details are provided here: ncplus.pl/pomoc/instalacja/instalacja-anteny

Life / Best / cheapest PAYG sim card for data and calls in Poland? [19]

Lycamobile is one of the best options - check out their offer - lycamobile.pl/en/bundle