Travel / Jazz in Poland [27]

Heh, I didn't look closely at the date ;-/ anyway, Mozdzer still rules ;-)

Travel / Jazz in Poland [27]

In August? Hm... if I remember corectly August is usually quite uneventful in Wroclaw in regards to music events. You know, everybody is just before/during/short after vacations...


Yeap, Mozdzer rules:
youtube.com/watch?v=qEx739dYw40

Language / Polish was chosen the HARDEST LANGUAGE in the world to learn... :D [1558]


Speaking in the name of a nation is always tricky thing, but well, we not used to it so sometimes reactions can be like surprise, astonishment, sometimes one just cann't help it and burst out laughing... But don't worry about that and go for it...

PS.
Welcome in the polish speaking community ;-)

Life / Fat People in Poland? [161]

World obesity prevalence among males:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:World_map_of_Male_Obesity,_2008.svg

World obesity prevalence among females:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:World_map_of_Female_Obesity,_2008.svg

Life / Poczta Polska Is Killing ME! Transit time. [28]

I know it will not cheer you up, but PP monopoly will probably end in 2013... PP is one of the last dinosaurs of PRL standing. PP is postosaur, PKP is trainosaur, m...f...rs just don't want to die... We had also shipyardsaurs but they luckily became extinct. Hm... there are also minesaurs but they seems to evolving in some kind of crocodiles.

Life / 3 reasons why you hate Poland. [1049]


OMG it must be a joke! How old is that video? 2008? Japanese are strange people, I suppose in Poland most of the time such "pushers" would end under the train, pushed there by angry mob... :-) Unimaginable, though I have to say that in my youth I traveled in such packed train in Poland too, but it was train full of youth headed toward music event (of course PKP and event organizers didn't foresee unusual influx of people...).


Believe me, I have much more against them :-) They are complex problem. They are like dinozaur from previous era. They survived because PKP was one of the biggest employer in PRL, influential labor unions etc., nobody dared to touch them. Yes, they are changing... with a speed of tanker.

Life / 3 reasons why you hate Poland. [1049]


I was on vacation there with Euro train ticket, so I was travelling whenever I wanted whereever I wanted and it was great :-)

I've never used the Japanese too, so I can't compare it either. But I wonder isn't Japan a little overcrowded, especially in public transport?

Well, ok it is an offtop... sorry :-)

Life / 3 reasons why you hate Poland. [1049]


I agree. Switzerland public transport is second to none. Polish is not even near but at least a lot cheaper :-) With exception of some trains, in general is reliable and functional too.

Travel / 5 days in Poland [19]

It is hard to give more advices without specific questions :-)
Typical problem for me in foreign city is: "What to do in the evening and where to look for proper info":
So, in order to find out about cultural events during your stay in Wroclaw:
1. try this about two/three weeks before your trip, should be updated then (in polish):

mobiwroclaw.nazwa.pl/kultura/wyszukiwarka_wydarzen.html

2. eventim.pl/portal/en/?

Here, internet radio in English from Wroclaw:

radiowroclove.com

They tend to have useful info on their website too.

PS. If you are Belgian, then maybe some recomendation from Belgian living in Wroclaw?: wroclaw4foreigners.wordpress.com/forum/arboretum-wojslawice/

Travel / 5 days in Poland [19]

I think there is no easy way by train. I don't know if there is direct bus.
If I were you I would try something like that:
1. rent a car
2. go to Rogoźnica early in the morning - 1h drive - (easy way partly by highway - 67km)
3. then go to Książ castle - 50min drive - 36km (it is within the city of Wałbrzych borders)
4. then if you have time go to Walim (Riese is there) - 25 min drive - 17 km
5. then back to Wrocław via Świdnica - 90min drive - 77km (if you have time Świdnica has nice city center).

This site is useful for routes determination, in Polish:

zumi.pl/trasa.html?loc1=wroc%B3aw&loc2=woj.+Dolno%B6l%B1skie%2C+Rogo%BCnica+1&byCar=on&cId1=&sId1=&cId2=69756676a4f5ab3b0700c84000000f007c1e00db79efb5db&sId2=&x=0&y=0

PS.

Rogoźnica site: gross-rosen.pl

Książ site: ksiaz.walbrzych.pl/en/godziny_otwarcia.html

Walim Museum site: sztolnie.pl

last entry in april is at 4 p.m.

I wasn't in Rogoźnica, but if I remember correctly my visit in Walim, then prisoners from Gross Rosen were used in Riese project.

PS2. I think that these people: wrota.wroclaw.pl/w/Main/main_eng.htm

can organize such trip for you :-)

Travel / 5 days in Poland [19]

You are welcome :-)

If your cousin is so interested in WWII history, then maybe he would like to learn about this:

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Festung_Breslau

It explains a lot why modern Wroclaw is so architecturally patchy.

If I remember correctly, there is some permanent exibition regarding Siege of Breslau
in The City Museum of Wroclaw - The Historical Museum: mmw.pl/english/museum/history.php

but not sure about that...

Anyway, have fun :-)

Travel / 5 days in Poland [19]

Quite charming palace in Krobielowice (about 15 km from Wroclaw):
skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=45254099&postcount=88

they supposedly have golf field over there... Another one fine castle near Wroclaw is in Wojnowice.

Here you will find Palaces and castles of Lower Silesia:
skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=238384
(quite old thread so you should first check if there is no reconstruction going on when you visit...)

If you like WWII history then Riese - underground military facilities may interest you:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Project_Riese

is near Książ castle anyway...

Here, lower silessia smaller towns (in polish but with nice pictures, maybe to nice sometimes...):
skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=985226&highlight=dolno+347+261+skie

Travel / 5 days in Poland [19]

Some advert of my friends in Wroclaw (city guides) : wrota.wroclaw.pl/w/Main/main_eng.htm

I second gumishu, Książ castle is interesting (you will have some spring hills in one package).
But if you weren't in Poznan it is quite enjoyable city too.

News / Do Poles in Poland really feel betrayed because there won't be any US Shield? [288]


You right, F-16 deal shows that they are costly. Maybe at least this Patriots deal could be used as "pressure factor" for domestic producers. I to prefer our producers if they made good quality stuff. Recent proposition made by Bumar is interesting. They made decent radar systems, they cooperate with French missile producer. So it seems they have most things in place...

News / Do Poles in Poland really feel betrayed because there won't be any US Shield? [288]

It seems to me that some Americans on this forum do not understand one simple thing:
This shield wasn't for Poland protection it was for USA (and maybe western Europe). Poland would be ON the shield NOT under. So it was Poland doing a favour to USA not the other way around. Deal was simple: Poland will let USA build long-range missile site, and USA instead will give Poland short and medium-range missiles.

Do I feel betrayed? No, because being an american shield wasn't my dream... But, the fact is that Poland by signing this agrement took political risk. It doesn't pay off. Turned out that USA is not reliable bussiness partner. I'm glad that part of polish politcal estabilishment has to swallow up that lesson.

PS. but I've to give some credit to polish politics. Long range and short range were two different deals, and in the end Poland still can get some lower priced Patriots which are important for our defence system :-)

USA, Canada / To move back to Poland from the USA or not to move back....that is the question [119]

Sometimes I wonder, who are all this people posting on PF... I have to tell you that this HUGE amount of whining, grumbling and complaing confirms myself in the conviction that most of you have polish origin :-) Or is it just the weather? :-)


The most important are people not place. Give it a try, if you'll find friends in Poland you will stay if not you will move on. You can always come back. But try to avoid whiners, they can spoil your life..

Food / BREAD IN POLAND IS DETERIORATING [90]

Very true. Unfortunately.
In commie times food processing technology was in much worse shape so paradoxically bread was better. Currently most of it don't deserve to be called bread, at least everything under 2,5 zł for 0,5 kg. And, for the record it is not only the problem of price, at least not straigtforward. You see, most folks buy this cheap "bread", so bread which was typical in commie times is now kind of luxury, because is not mass produced = is expensive :-(

It is like Copernicus said "bad money displace good" :-(

Life / Are foreigners welcome in Poland? [275]


When in the late 80' some black man came to my small hometown in central Poland, then for some time he was like tourist attraction... :-) It still is quite uncommon to see foreigners in polish provinces (exept tourist places)...

News / Is NORD STREAM dangerous for Poland's natural enviroment? [540]

Gas deal signed, gas flows again, till next winter I suppose... :
gospodarka.gazeta.pl/gospodarka/1,33181,6676383,Gaz_z_Rosji_plynie_do_Polski.html

News / Is NORD STREAM dangerous for Poland's natural enviroment? [540]

Some important info, which I think wasn't posted here:
- gas is only about 12% in total energetic balance of Poland
- in these 12%, about 67% is from Russia, so even if from some unknown reason Poland will lose Russia as a gas supplier, it will be only 8% of total energetic needs...

- Poland has no such problem with oil because of naftoport, currently plans for LPG port are in motion, so it is reasonable to assume that in next 5 to 10 years dependence on one gas supplier will disappear...

To sum up, even if this north stream is some threat for Polish energetic safety it is not death threat... There is no reason to panic...

News / Is NORD STREAM dangerous for Poland's natural enviroment? [540]


Yeap. Good one :-) Are this military choruses still so popular in Russia ?

News / Is NORD STREAM dangerous for Poland's natural enviroment? [540]


Yes, it is true, in a way. Poland don't get part of it which should be supplied by RosUkrEnergo. RosUkrEnergo is out of bussiness. It is not very big problem because it is only part of total supply, Poland get difference from reserves and besides there is an economy slow down. As far as I know currently technical agreement between Poland and Gasprom regarding this part of delivery was reached, and is waiting for political decision.

News / Is NORD STREAM dangerous for Poland's natural enviroment? [540]

second month in a row Gasprom is cutting mining by 13% due to falling demand in Russia.
For example production in chemistry sector failed by 30%. As I said before production in Poland is failing too. It seems to me that Russians unintentionally made own goal.

RosUkrEnergo failed? Unnecessarily gas not delivered? we don't have to pay.
Maybe paradoxically one good news in this crisis mess.

PS. Don't forget that now gas is cheaper. I suppose that this gas from RUE was contracted with bigger price.

News / Is NORD STREAM dangerous for Poland's natural enviroment? [540]


That is wrong. This 50% is owned by "private businessmans" from Ukraine.


Heh, guys, you need to read more. Gasprom decided to cut off this "private businessmans" probably because at least one of them is donator of president Yushchenko. After last agreement between Naftogas and Gasprom, Naftogas took over all RosUkrEnergo gas which was stored in Ukraine. Of course now Gasprom says that it wasn't part of a deal... Anyway, legally RosUkrEnergo is responsible, and has no gas.

Of course Gasprom is behind it, but isn't responsible legally. So what can we do?

Again, important question: there is world wide crisis, now in Poland too, production is falling. Maybe after all it is not so bad that we didn't get this 24% of our contracted gas?

I think we didn't pay for it yet. Why do you think there is no alarming articles about it in Polish press? Why there is no alarming posts on internet forums? Why we didn't see directors from Azoty in the media telling as that they could have problems with production?

My hypothesis: we don't need this 24% now.

News / Is NORD STREAM dangerous for Poland's natural enviroment? [540]

Ryszard, Sasha, it is not about "nice attitude". German is the biggest market for Gasprom, that is all.

Marco, if this pdf tells true:

sgc.se/nyheter/resources/IBP1160_08_final24apr08.pdf

"The unique situation of a high share of renewable and nuclear power in the Swedish energy mix has created a situation where the natural gas market share is weak compared to the rest of Europe, 2% compared to 24%, respectively."

then there is no danger for monopol in Sweden... Because gas is small part of energy sources. The EE countries have problem because gas segment is huge. Maybe because this small Sweden reliance on gas you don't fully understand EE problems.

PS.
No monopol is good for the market. It is not good for monopolist as well, what can be seen in recent Gasprom problems with output level.

News / Is NORD STREAM dangerous for Poland's natural enviroment? [540]

As my previous post shows I'm somehow in forced favour this plan, but:


The fact is, that the biggest obstacle is Sweden and their goverment. Eastern Europeans can only chat about it. Sweden has legal right and power to block this pipeline...

Secondly, just because we (Eastern Europeans) have some interests in blocking this pipeline doesn't mean that our ecological arguments aren't right.


This thing is a little more complicated. Legally it isn't Gasprom but RusUkrEnergo fault. It is joint venture between Gasprom and some Ukrainians. Obviously Gasprom decideded to get rid of them. So with Mrs Tymoshenko help they've block this firm reserves in Ukraine.

Of course Gasprom pulls strings here, but leggaly Poland cann't blame them. Currently Poland is renegotiating original contract with Gasprom... As usual Gasprom is in better position, but not so good as it could be half year ago... Of course, as usual they want some strange stuff beside simple cash, but so what? The baltic pipe isn't there yet, so they can wish for something more, but they want get it.

One more important thing: Worldwide Crisis... There is slowdown in Poland to. Winter is not very hard. So, maybe, just maybe it is not so bad, that we cann't get all the gas we have contracted for this year? And we can even get some reparations instead?

PS.


Man, if you don't see logic in those conflicts then you have some homework to do...
Just simple stuff for start:
- Gasprom (yes, Gasprom) heats up those "conflicts" accidentaly before some important negotiations, this give them better position (because they have monopol in this part of Europe, so it isn't important how bad is their image)

- google for last year Gasprom victories, they've get pipelines in Serbia, actually they own Serbia..., they have some shares in Hungary I think and in Slovakia. Way? Because they want to have monopo, they want to block Nabucco... It is all about their monopol. Of course we don't want any kind of monopol. How logic is that?

News / Is NORD STREAM dangerous for Poland's natural enviroment? [540]

Yes, it is, because when Russia stops pumping through Jamal and stops selling gas for Poland, then we will have to burn all the coal we've got...

But seriously, dear fellow citizens of Poland, please kindly
1. look at this:


2. try to google a few minutes for info regarding Russia position in Arctic sea dispute
3. find out about amount of gas which could be under this sea
4. once more look at 1.

Simple enough? This pipeline will be build whether we like it or not. And it will be full of gas for a long time. The only thing we can do is to swallow it and join them.

PS. I'm not some Russia lover. I'm just rational.