dhrynio
16 Oct 2016
dhrynio
23 Jun 2016
Life / Poland after one year of living here [105]
I agree with Paulina about watching what you wish for. I started chatting with Polish people and it tok a bit but once they open up they really open up and can keep you for a while. But in the end I love it.
Atch, that was a great story! What an excellent gesture to take the couple a gift, I find gifts and food are excellent ways to open doors and hearts. I got to know my new neighbors by bringing them pies, cookies and other American baked goods. If you can cook or bake at all do it and share.
I think the advice from above that you may have to expand your horizons and open your "nope" category to allow for more opportunities to socialize. I will be honest, I am not much of a drinker. But in being social having a drink does help and also loosens people up a bit. I will have a glass of wine while the group have a bottle.
I agree with Paulina about watching what you wish for. I started chatting with Polish people and it tok a bit but once they open up they really open up and can keep you for a while. But in the end I love it.
Atch, that was a great story! What an excellent gesture to take the couple a gift, I find gifts and food are excellent ways to open doors and hearts. I got to know my new neighbors by bringing them pies, cookies and other American baked goods. If you can cook or bake at all do it and share.
I think the advice from above that you may have to expand your horizons and open your "nope" category to allow for more opportunities to socialize. I will be honest, I am not much of a drinker. But in being social having a drink does help and also loosens people up a bit. I will have a glass of wine while the group have a bottle.
dhrynio
21 Jun 2016
Life / Poland after one year of living here [105]
Man Luke, your post sounds so much like me my first few years here. I am now here for 12 years and could not be happier. Year after year it got easier. I learned to adapt and stopped expecting things to be like it was at home. I started to make a few friends, I started riding my bike by myself and with my family and it is my thing. Have you looked around at localish language shools to try and find other English native speakers? Maybe figure out an interest an find a way to join others in doing that. Fishing, biking, other sports, camping, book club, cars? Something in there and start finding ways to connect with people with your interests.
How is your Polish/
Man Luke, your post sounds so much like me my first few years here. I am now here for 12 years and could not be happier. Year after year it got easier. I learned to adapt and stopped expecting things to be like it was at home. I started to make a few friends, I started riding my bike by myself and with my family and it is my thing. Have you looked around at localish language shools to try and find other English native speakers? Maybe figure out an interest an find a way to join others in doing that. Fishing, biking, other sports, camping, book club, cars? Something in there and start finding ways to connect with people with your interests.
How is your Polish/
dhrynio
9 Feb 2016
News / British teacher stabbed in Poland [116]
Here you go, thenews.pl/1/9/Artykul/239512,Manhunt-underway-after-Warsaw-beheading
And why was this merged? This is a totally different news story. Mods here are merge crazy.
Here you go, thenews.pl/1/9/Artykul/239512,Manhunt-underway-after-Warsaw-beheading
And why was this merged? This is a totally different news story. Mods here are merge crazy.
dhrynio
14 Nov 2015
USA, Canada / American Father raising a boy in Poland - or maybe USA would be the better place? [12]
I am American and my husband is Polish and I think raising a child here in Poland is a much better choice. But that is a personal choice rooted in finding traditional value and lifestyle to be of high value to me. Can you give a bit more info. Hvae you been together long, do you love eahc other, where would you be living here in Poland?
I am American and my husband is Polish and I think raising a child here in Poland is a much better choice. But that is a personal choice rooted in finding traditional value and lifestyle to be of high value to me. Can you give a bit more info. Hvae you been together long, do you love eahc other, where would you be living here in Poland?
dhrynio
10 Oct 2015
Travel / Bialystok or... some other place in Poland. [8]
I can weigh in on this. I don't live in Bialystok but I in Lomza, so not too far away. I love Bialystok. I just am not a big city preson, so Bialystok has all of the city stuff but not the huge city feel. You have culture and tradition, modern life and all necessary conveniences. You are still fairly close to Mazury and Bialowieza. And in the next few years the highway will be completed and the trip form Bialystok to Warsaw will be less than two hours.
The other areas are beauitful and you can go to see them on vacations and trips. But if you love Bialystok, have friends there already I say stay! It is a great city!
I can weigh in on this. I don't live in Bialystok but I in Lomza, so not too far away. I love Bialystok. I just am not a big city preson, so Bialystok has all of the city stuff but not the huge city feel. You have culture and tradition, modern life and all necessary conveniences. You are still fairly close to Mazury and Bialowieza. And in the next few years the highway will be completed and the trip form Bialystok to Warsaw will be less than two hours.
The other areas are beauitful and you can go to see them on vacations and trips. But if you love Bialystok, have friends there already I say stay! It is a great city!
dhrynio
12 Feb 2014
Food / Where to buy British mature Cheddar Cheese and salted butter in Poland? [289]
I bought gorgeous Kerrygold cheddar at a Real in Poznan and it was heaven!! My husband family are in love and wanted to know where to get it!
I bought gorgeous Kerrygold cheddar at a Real in Poznan and it was heaven!! My husband family are in love and wanted to know where to get it!
dhrynio
23 Jan 2014
Life / Online Shopping in Poland - Any websites where I can get brand names for a discount online? [7]
mydeal.pl/podroze/deale/
cuppon.pl
sweetdeal.pl
limango.pl
citeam.pl
mydeal.pl/podroze/deale/
cuppon.pl
sweetdeal.pl
limango.pl
citeam.pl
dhrynio
16 Jan 2014
Law / Immigration police visits. Any change in law regarding my stay in Poland? [5]
They are required to check on you and make sure you are who you are and live where you say you live. They local police have been here to my house before.
They are required to check on you and make sure you are who you are and live where you say you live. They local police have been here to my house before.
dhrynio
15 Jan 2014
UK, Ireland / Calling all Brits! Travel in England advice [32]
Thank Harry! The biggest plus for us in London is that we have family we will stay with, so no hotel fees and we will probably only eat out a bit. I will check out the museums, the kids would love them!
Thank Harry! The biggest plus for us in London is that we have family we will stay with, so no hotel fees and we will probably only eat out a bit. I will check out the museums, the kids would love them!
dhrynio
15 Jan 2014
UK, Ireland / Calling all Brits! Travel in England advice [32]
Thank you everyone! So many good ideas!
We do have two children so that will affect what we choose. right now I am gathering options and then will go over it all with my husband. We will probably stay in London for 4 ish days then have about a week elsewhere.
Thank you everyone! So many good ideas!
We do have two children so that will affect what we choose. right now I am gathering options and then will go over it all with my husband. We will probably stay in London for 4 ish days then have about a week elsewhere.
dhrynio
13 Jan 2014
dhrynio
13 Jan 2014
UK, Ireland / Calling all Brits! Travel in England advice [32]
Thank you for your response! We had originally talked about driving from here but it would be cheaper to fly and give up more time to travel. So we could also take a train somewhere, which could open up further destinations. Heck we could take a train to Scotland I suppose!
As for what we like, we are just starting to talk about this idea so I can only go on what I would like from it. I wouldn't mind a sweet village maybe coastal so we could take the kids to rockpools! Or a place with natural type things to do. Like I said cities are ok for a few days but Hubby and I am both nature, history, slower life types.
Thank you for your response! We had originally talked about driving from here but it would be cheaper to fly and give up more time to travel. So we could also take a train somewhere, which could open up further destinations. Heck we could take a train to Scotland I suppose!
As for what we like, we are just starting to talk about this idea so I can only go on what I would like from it. I wouldn't mind a sweet village maybe coastal so we could take the kids to rockpools! Or a place with natural type things to do. Like I said cities are ok for a few days but Hubby and I am both nature, history, slower life types.
dhrynio
13 Jan 2014
dhrynio
13 Jan 2014
UK, Ireland / Calling all Brits! Travel in England advice [32]
So we are contemplating a trip to England this summer (mostly to see hubby's distant aunt in London who is quite old and we want to see one more time) so we will spend a few days in London, but we also want to spend several days elsewhere.
Where do you suggest? We are not really the city loving type, a few days in London will be enough for us. So maybe a quiet place, lovely village, beautiful natural area type place! Thank for the help!
And I don't know why after reading the thread title that it seems like Brits is not a proper way to refer to people from the UK. Maybe it is, if not I am sorry please forgive me and enlighten me on more proper terms.
So we are contemplating a trip to England this summer (mostly to see hubby's distant aunt in London who is quite old and we want to see one more time) so we will spend a few days in London, but we also want to spend several days elsewhere.
Where do you suggest? We are not really the city loving type, a few days in London will be enough for us. So maybe a quiet place, lovely village, beautiful natural area type place! Thank for the help!
And I don't know why after reading the thread title that it seems like Brits is not a proper way to refer to people from the UK. Maybe it is, if not I am sorry please forgive me and enlighten me on more proper terms.
dhrynio
12 Jan 2014
Australia / Australian citizen wanting to go to Poland for as long as possible - needs Polish Visa [49]
First of all where are you and your lady planning to settle? Are you set on one place or are you open? I know of a school here in £omża who just yesterday asked me if I know any native speakers willing to move here and teach, they are opening a new school in Zambrów soon and need more people. I do know that some of what Dominic mentioned above is true but his tale is very dread and woe, not true all the time and in all places. If you are willing to look outside of the major cities you can find work for very good money and still have plenty to live and travel.
You can PM me and I can set you up to talk with him if you like.
First of all where are you and your lady planning to settle? Are you set on one place or are you open? I know of a school here in £omża who just yesterday asked me if I know any native speakers willing to move here and teach, they are opening a new school in Zambrów soon and need more people. I do know that some of what Dominic mentioned above is true but his tale is very dread and woe, not true all the time and in all places. If you are willing to look outside of the major cities you can find work for very good money and still have plenty to live and travel.
You can PM me and I can set you up to talk with him if you like.
dhrynio
6 Jan 2014
Love / Is it considered rude to stare ( especially at women ) in Poland? [12]
The staring bugs the **** out of me. I try really hard to not let Polish-isms get to me but that one makes me insane. I finally started staring back or when people walk really close and listen in on my English conversation while walking with another American friend I stop and let them walk past. I know it is because we live in a small city with very few expats so English conversation is quite an oddity here but it is still annoying to be started at and followed like the circus freak.
The staring bugs the **** out of me. I try really hard to not let Polish-isms get to me but that one makes me insane. I finally started staring back or when people walk really close and listen in on my English conversation while walking with another American friend I stop and let them walk past. I know it is because we live in a small city with very few expats so English conversation is quite an oddity here but it is still annoying to be started at and followed like the circus freak.
dhrynio
6 Jan 2014
Life / Life in Lomza - Is it a cheap place to live? [9]
And even more has been done in the last year. We now have a real galeria, small but nice! But better is the port on the river. It is really nice. There is a lovely pub, playground for kids, outdoor exercise equipment, a lovely river walk with plenty of benches and of course the port itself. Sidewalks are being renewed like crazy with bike paths as well!
Related: Private schools in Łomża - which one is the best?
I live some 35 km from £omża and AFAK there is this school called EDUCO. I think I can recommend them. All the best!
And even more has been done in the last year. We now have a real galeria, small but nice! But better is the port on the river. It is really nice. There is a lovely pub, playground for kids, outdoor exercise equipment, a lovely river walk with plenty of benches and of course the port itself. Sidewalks are being renewed like crazy with bike paths as well!
Related: Private schools in Łomża - which one is the best?
I have a 2 boys leaving in Lomza 7 (1st grade) and 9 (3rd grade).
I would like they can get better education and speak better English.
What is the best private school in Lomza and what is the cost about private schools in there.
I would like they can get better education and speak better English.
What is the best private school in Lomza and what is the cost about private schools in there.
I live some 35 km from £omża and AFAK there is this school called EDUCO. I think I can recommend them. All the best!
dhrynio
6 Jan 2014
Love / Is it considered rude to stare ( especially at women ) in Poland? [12]
Not sure if it is considered rude but in my experience Polish people have a serious staring problem.
Not sure if it is considered rude but in my experience Polish people have a serious staring problem.
dhrynio
18 Dec 2013
Food / Where to buy British mature Cheddar Cheese and salted butter in Poland? [289]
They do as well. Every Sunday I look online at the Lidl specials for Monday and during the week I also check Biedronka, Kaufland and Rossman. I used to check Tesco but they are so darned expensive and I rarely find things that are worth buying.
Kaufland has good sales on cleaning products, paper and personal hygiene stuff as well as many food items (even wine and alcohol). And when they advertise that something is 48% off that week it really is, not a jacked up price then marked down and call it a special like Tesco. I buy a a lot of stuff from Kaufland when it is on sale and buy several at one time...much like those 6 lovely chunks of cheddar sitting in my fridge right now!
They do as well. Every Sunday I look online at the Lidl specials for Monday and during the week I also check Biedronka, Kaufland and Rossman. I used to check Tesco but they are so darned expensive and I rarely find things that are worth buying.
Kaufland has good sales on cleaning products, paper and personal hygiene stuff as well as many food items (even wine and alcohol). And when they advertise that something is 48% off that week it really is, not a jacked up price then marked down and call it a special like Tesco. I buy a a lot of stuff from Kaufland when it is on sale and buy several at one time...much like those 6 lovely chunks of cheddar sitting in my fridge right now!
dhrynio
18 Dec 2013
Food / Where to buy British mature Cheddar Cheese and salted butter in Poland? [289]
I am what you would call a bargain hunter, I know a good price when I see one here. Lidl often has very good prices on non food items. It is actually the non food items that take me there. We don't have a Tchibo here in Lomza but I have been to one in Bialystok and yeah they are similar. You just have to price check and know the market for suck things. Lidl's line of electronics, Silver Crest, is actually quite good. I have a hand mixer, blender and food scale from them and they are all going strong for 3-5 years and the prices were great!
The food scale has been replaced (again bought at Lidl) but it's demise was of user misuse and not product failure (yeah... don't let water get into the battery compartment). The new one I got was a flat glass digital one that I bought for 35zl. Similar ones in local stores were a minimum of 50+zl. The handmixer was only 30zl and their things have a 2 year guarantee. I also buy a lot of kids pajamas and long sleeve shirts. Kids go through clothes like made and they have packs of long sleeve shirts 2 for 24zl very often. You just can't beat it!
I am what you would call a bargain hunter, I know a good price when I see one here. Lidl often has very good prices on non food items. It is actually the non food items that take me there. We don't have a Tchibo here in Lomza but I have been to one in Bialystok and yeah they are similar. You just have to price check and know the market for suck things. Lidl's line of electronics, Silver Crest, is actually quite good. I have a hand mixer, blender and food scale from them and they are all going strong for 3-5 years and the prices were great!
The food scale has been replaced (again bought at Lidl) but it's demise was of user misuse and not product failure (yeah... don't let water get into the battery compartment). The new one I got was a flat glass digital one that I bought for 35zl. Similar ones in local stores were a minimum of 50+zl. The handmixer was only 30zl and their things have a 2 year guarantee. I also buy a lot of kids pajamas and long sleeve shirts. Kids go through clothes like made and they have packs of long sleeve shirts 2 for 24zl very often. You just can't beat it!
dhrynio
17 Dec 2013
Food / Where to buy British mature Cheddar Cheese and salted butter in Poland? [289]
You guys should consider getting there right when they open on the day they will start the feature product. Also it helps to go to ones in smaller cities. Here in Lomza we have two and you can always get the best things if you are at the door at 8am.
You guys should consider getting there right when they open on the day they will start the feature product. Also it helps to go to ones in smaller cities. Here in Lomza we have two and you can always get the best things if you are at the door at 8am.
dhrynio
14 Dec 2013
Food / Where to buy British mature Cheddar Cheese and salted butter in Poland? [289]
If you check Lidl's webpage by Sunday you will see what is going to be featured starting Monday morning. So next Monday will again be the Deluxe white and orange cheddar, they are both really good. I go after dropping off my kids to school at 8am right when they open and snag as many as I want, but the next day they are pretty much gone. And they only have them a few times a year, so I stock up and freeze it as well!
Here: lidl.pl/cps/rde/SID-15ADFC32-06E142A9/www_lidl_pl/hs.xsl/oferta.htm?id=141
If you check Lidl's webpage by Sunday you will see what is going to be featured starting Monday morning. So next Monday will again be the Deluxe white and orange cheddar, they are both really good. I go after dropping off my kids to school at 8am right when they open and snag as many as I want, but the next day they are pretty much gone. And they only have them a few times a year, so I stock up and freeze it as well!
Here: lidl.pl/cps/rde/SID-15ADFC32-06E142A9/www_lidl_pl/hs.xsl/oferta.htm?id=141
dhrynio
9 Dec 2013
Food / Are eggs in Poland refrigerated/not refrigerated? [33]
It really depends, mass produced eggs are often in refridgerated, but farm fresh eggs are usually kept at room temp.
It really depends, mass produced eggs are often in refridgerated, but farm fresh eggs are usually kept at room temp.
dhrynio
21 Nov 2013
Travel / A traditional Thanksgiving Dinner in Wroclaw? [16]
Thank you! I have looked into making my own but was under the impession that I had to use a press. I will try this! I wonder if I could can it, or freeze it?
Thank you! I have looked into making my own but was under the impession that I had to use a press. I will try this! I wonder if I could can it, or freeze it?
dhrynio
20 Nov 2013
Travel / A traditional Thanksgiving Dinner in Wroclaw? [16]
DominicB
Please share this magical cider connection!
I too am making full blown t-giving dinner, but for the first time in a while for only a handful of people. 3 years ago I made it for 27 people, it was hell.
Turkey, stuffing, gravy, green bean casserole, cream cheese mashed potatoes, cranberry relish, pumpkin pie, dutch apple pie, pecan pie and a crustless cranberry pie. But I am waiting until next month to do it.
DominicB
Please share this magical cider connection!
I too am making full blown t-giving dinner, but for the first time in a while for only a handful of people. 3 years ago I made it for 27 people, it was hell.
Turkey, stuffing, gravy, green bean casserole, cream cheese mashed potatoes, cranberry relish, pumpkin pie, dutch apple pie, pecan pie and a crustless cranberry pie. But I am waiting until next month to do it.
dhrynio
27 Oct 2013
dhrynio
27 Oct 2013
Language / Is Polish an easy language to learn and is there a way of learning it easily? [105]
Polish is very difficult. With time it can be picked up. I doubt I will ever master it but I don't really care to. I have lived here for 11 years and took a few courses in Warsaw in the first few years but the rest is just daily speaking, a lot of "please forgive me I speak Polish poorly" and just trying. My in laws don't speak English and my husband just could not be with me every minute. So I HAD to just do my best. Most people are very understanding. Hell they are usually nicer to me that they are to other Poles.
Polish is very difficult. With time it can be picked up. I doubt I will ever master it but I don't really care to. I have lived here for 11 years and took a few courses in Warsaw in the first few years but the rest is just daily speaking, a lot of "please forgive me I speak Polish poorly" and just trying. My in laws don't speak English and my husband just could not be with me every minute. So I HAD to just do my best. Most people are very understanding. Hell they are usually nicer to me that they are to other Poles.
dhrynio
11 Oct 2013
Work / Moving to Poland from Iceland (salary of 6500 pln a month) - can I build a house? [25]
Hi Rabbi,
We live near Mazury and have built a house here. I would highly suggest moving here and waiting a few years to make sure you like it and also use that time to buckle down and save as much as you can, go to a bank and have your wife begin to ask how much you would qualify for.
Which area of Mazury are you looking at?
Hi Rabbi,
We live near Mazury and have built a house here. I would highly suggest moving here and waiting a few years to make sure you like it and also use that time to buckle down and save as much as you can, go to a bank and have your wife begin to ask how much you would qualify for.
Which area of Mazury are you looking at?
dhrynio
11 Oct 2013
Life / Cyfrowy Polsat... NC+ - which channels can you watch in English? [25]
So we have NC+ right now. When it was just N it was great. I could take that dumb butt lektor off of tons of channels. But now that they merged with equally dumb butt Canal+ they suck. You can technically switch many channels to original however most of the time the lektor just keeps on talking. Most kids channels have totally done away with the ability to change the language, when before you could change it on all American channels like Disney, Disney jr, Nick, Nick jr etc, now only one.
So we are considering Polsat, they have the same channels as NC+, but can anyone tell me which channels you can ditch the lektor and watch it in English?
Thanks all!
So we have NC+ right now. When it was just N it was great. I could take that dumb butt lektor off of tons of channels. But now that they merged with equally dumb butt Canal+ they suck. You can technically switch many channels to original however most of the time the lektor just keeps on talking. Most kids channels have totally done away with the ability to change the language, when before you could change it on all American channels like Disney, Disney jr, Nick, Nick jr etc, now only one.
So we are considering Polsat, they have the same channels as NC+, but can anyone tell me which channels you can ditch the lektor and watch it in English?
Thanks all!