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Posts by BLS  

Joined: 14 Feb 2008 / Male ♂ 		Last Post: 18 Jun 2014
Threads: Total: 65 / Live: 40 / Archived: 25
Posts: Total: 188 / Live: 114 / Archived: 74 		From: Poland, Krakow
Speaks Polish?: Mowię trochę po polsku, but I want to learn more

Displayed posts: 154 / page 5 of 6
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BLS   
7 Sep 2010
Work / Quiet Place to teach English in Krakow ? [24]

Merged: Word language school in Krakow. The pluses and minuses of working there.

Does anyone have any knowledge about or experience with Word language school in Krakow? It's never been on my radar, but I have an opportunity to work there - I'd like to know what the pluses and minuses are. Thanks!
BLS   
5 Sep 2010
Polonia / Accommodations in Kiev, finding a suitable place to stay [7]

I am planning a trip to Kiev and am having difficulties finding a suitable place to stay - does anyone have any suggestions? I prefer staying in flats which are owned by individuals - I try to steer clear of hotels as well as the companies advertising dozens of properties. Any constructive input would be greatly appreciated - thanks!
BLS   
30 Aug 2010
Law / Urząd Skarbowy, I paid too little on my last PIT? [26]

I have never underpaid, but I overpaid once - I was seriously worried that they would come after me for that! Another time, I waited until the 21st to pay - needless to say, I was worried about this as well. However, my accountant told me that they would allow me a couple of late payments...I hope she's right.
BLS   
21 Jul 2010
Work / Resignation fee in Poland - any way to avoid it? [21]

Imagine it was your company trying to break the contract - I don't think you would be too happy if they tried to find a way to get out of paying you what they owed you.

Perhaps your choices are 1) pay the fee, or 2) honor your contract and stay the whole year. I'm assuming you agreed to these terms when you signed the contract...
BLS   
13 Jul 2010
Life / Children in Krakow Apartment Playgrounds [21]

Plastic Pole:

Maybe your apartment shouldn't be so close by.

Now there's an astute observation - thank you so very much...

vndunne:

its one things, kids running around playing...its another thing when they are given 'aids. to make even more noise....

You see - this member actually took the time to read what was written and offer advice. Thank you vndunne for providing some constructive input instead of mindless criticism...
BLS   
9 Jul 2010
Life / Children in Krakow Apartment Playgrounds [21]

I live in a complex of flats in Krakow that has a playground for the children of the tenants - my flat happens to overlook this area. My god - the noise is simply atrocious tonight! These parents allow their children to run around with horns and bells with absolutely no regard for their neighbors. I understand the need to exercise and wear down their children, but can't these parents do it without giving their little snot machines the added noisemakers? How can these people be so dense?

I used to live about 2 km from a busy airport in America - tonight, I truly miss the sound of jets going overhead every 2-3 minutes...
BLS   
9 May 2010
Travel / Dinner place suggestion in Krakow [17]

I recently enjoyed a wonderful meal at C.K. Browar near Teatr Bagatela. Many of my colleagues are surprised by this, but it was absolutely the best restaurant meal I have had in my two years in Kraków. The wheat beer, however, was not very tasty.
BLS   
25 Apr 2010
Life / Smoking vs. Grilling on Balconies / High Rises in Poland [66]

In America, apartment buildings, balconies, etc. are generally built with wood...in Poland, they all seem to be built with brick or stone. It seems ironic that grills are largely allowed on American balconies but not on Polish ones...
BLS   
31 Mar 2010
Food / Bratwurst in Kraków? [15]

You should buy sausage ( in every supermarket you can find )

I have never seen bratwurst in a shop in Kraków - only Polish sausages. If they are in the shops, are they called a different name here?
BLS   
31 Mar 2010
Food / Bratwurst in Kraków? [15]

I just went on a short trip to Vienna and was re-introduced to a wonderful taste sensation - bratwurst! It is plentiful in Austria (as well as in America), but I have not come across it in Poland - is there anyplace in Kraków that sells it or offers it on a menu? Please help hook me up...thanks a million!
BLS   
9 Feb 2010
Travel / Poland to Romania (and back!) [18]

Convex

I'm flying to Iasi later this month if you want to catch a ride. Will then go down to Bucharest for a couple of days and then head back to Poland.

I might definitely be interested in that trip, depending on timing, cost, etc. - let me know the particulars and I'll check my calendar...
BLS   
7 Feb 2010
Food / Pumpkin and Rhubarb in Kraków [15]

I know it's a long shot, but does anyone know where to buy pumpkins or rhubarb in Kraków? I want to make some winter pies, but apple and lemon are starting to get old. Thanks!
BLS   
27 Jan 2010
Life / Lack of Spacial Acuity in Poland [69]

i've nearly creamed babcias (albeit at about 30km/h) in this place because more often than not they don't even pause for a wheeze at the edge ... on they go.

and so i look fixedly ahead hoping to goodness i've accounted for all the moving furballs (wintertime) in my peripheral vision ...

Pause for a wheeze...moving furballs...classic! Your humor is greatly appreciated by this observer...
BLS   
21 Jan 2010
Law / Staying in Schengen - are American exempt from the 90-days-in/90-days-out rule? [23]

I know a colleague who has been staying here illegally for over a year. He returned to the States for Christmas...but when he came back to Poland, he was allowed re-entry. I thought for sure he would be busted, but nothing happened.

It kinda irks me since I am trying to stay here the legal way. For those of you who have gone through the residency process, you can understand how frustrating and time-consuming it can be. If the Polish (Schengen?) border patrol won't uphold the law, why the hell am I busting my hump to stay in this country legally?
BLS   
2 Dec 2009
Law / Value of Computer in Poland [8]

I am knee-deep in my taxes and am trying to figure out the value of a computer that I 'donated' to my business. My accountant told me that the value is determined by the going rate in December of the previous year - does anyone know where to find this information?

Also, I need to find a website that lists the daily exchange rates between the złoty and dollar over the past year - any ideas here? Thanks!
BLS   
28 Nov 2009
Life / Lack of Spacial Acuity in Poland [69]

Since moving to Kraków 18 months ago, I have noticed something about some Poles - they seem to lack spacial acuity when it comes to negotiating crowds. I notice it mostly in the large markets - especially during the weekends. And it's people of all ages - not just the older ones.

What do I mean? They seem to shop or walk with little to no regard for those around them. Many times a day, I find myself having to move out of the path of an oncoming shopper or pedestrian who seems unaware that there are others in his/her vicinity. Sometimes I feel I am the only one making any effort to avoid bumping into others.

During the weekends, Tesco and Carrefour are packed with such people - many times I feel a bit like the ball in a pinball machine! The people who bump into me are always polite and say "przepraszam" afterwards, but I would prefer they expend the energy it takes to apologize towards fine-tuning their radar.

Does anyone else sense this or is it just me? Thanks!
BLS   
3 Oct 2009
Food / Polish Pizza !! The best in the world? [329]

I am from America and will readily admit that pizza was not invented there, but I do believe it was perfected in Chicago. I have been to many pizza joints in Italy - not one of them could hold a candle to Lou Malnati's!!!
BLS   
23 Jul 2009
Travel / Best method of transport to get from Warsaw to Kaunas? [14]

Sean -

We are returning from Vilnius on August 31 or September 1 (after spending time in Tallinn and Riga). Any suggestions on the best method of returning to Kraków?

As of now, we are planning to take a train or bus to Białystok, stay overnight, and take the train to Kraków the next day. However, the bus and train schedules out of Lithuania seem spotty - any input would be greatly appreciated.

Also - any suggestions for our brief time in Vilnius would be gladly accepted...
BLS   
2 Jul 2009
Life / Smoking vs. Grilling on Balconies / High Rises in Poland [66]

My girlfriend says that people in Kraków view grilling on a balcony as being done only by villagers, not 'sophisticated' city folk such as us. It's nice to see that she might be exaggerating the issue a wee bit...
BLS   
1 Jul 2009
Life / Smoking vs. Grilling on Balconies / High Rises in Poland [66]

I have a question about balcony etiquette in Poland: why is it OK to smoke on a balcony but it is not OK to grill there? I understand that the smell of grilling in my Polish neighbors' homes is largely viewed (or smelled) as offensive, but why isn't cigarette smoking seen in the same light?

Being from America, I love to grill - and it is absolutely cool to do it on a balcony over there. I wanted to grill on my balcony here in Kraków, but my girlfriend alerted me that it is not acceptable behavior, so I refrained out of respect to my new society and neighbors. However, these same neighbors smoke on their balcony 6-8 times a day - the smoke flows through our flat and stinks up our whole place (worse than the smell of grilling, IMO).

Is there a happy medium here? I try to be a good resident of Poland and protect my neighbors' rights, but they seem impervious to mine - I am tempted to go ahead an buy the grill, but I probably won't. Has anyone faced such a situation here? Thanks!
BLS   
23 Jun 2009
Life / Are foreigners welcome in Poland? [267]

While speaking on my mobile phone in Przemysl, the locals (even teenagers) walked by and stared in amazement as English poured out of my mouth. It was like they had never heard a native speaker.

I am an American who has been in Kraków for nearly a year - I feel completely at home here. However, I tend to shut the hell up when I am around 3 or more young males on the street (but I did that when I lived in Chicago as well). As a foreigner, I worry about the day I meet up with some of the aforementioned hooligans...
BLS   
19 Jun 2009
Food / Where can I buy Fresh Trout (Pstrąg) in or around Kraków? [6]

I recently visited Ojców - the trout farm there brought back memories of eating fresh trout when I was a boy in America, so I have a yearning for the fish now. Can anyone suggest where I can buy fresh trout in or around Kraków? If not, perhaps a restaurant that offers tasty trout dishes? Thanks!
BLS   
16 Jun 2009
Life / Reliable Weather Service In Poland? [25]

Maybe for the US but it's crap for Poland as I used to use this and it was always wrong

I agree - Wunderground was accurate in Chicago but not in Kraków. Is weather forecasting inherently more difficult in Europe than it is in America?