The BEST Guide to POLAND
Unanswered  |  Archives 
 
 
User: Guest

Posts by Chipmunk  

Joined: 15 Aug 2009 / Female ♀
Last Post: 6 Jan 2011
Threads: Total: 12 / Live: 7 / Archived: 5
Posts: Total: 61 / Live: 38 / Archived: 23
From: Warsaw this fall
Speaks Polish?: No
Interests: Photography, running, my family

Displayed posts: 45 / page 1 of 2
sort: Oldest first   Latest first   |
Chipmunk   
1 Sep 2009
Life / Orphanages in Poland [82]

We'd love to adopt while there but our time is short and as I experienced here. I feel I can do more and help more when I'm not focused on one child. I'm not sure how great the need may be in Poland compared to what I've experienced here, but I am looking forward to the opportunity to help out where ever I can.

A couple has just arrived here that came from Krakow and they adopted a sister sibling group. Such beautiful girls!
Chipmunk   
9 Sep 2009
Work / Are there any Americans teachers left in Poland? [38]

So as an American will I have any luck landing a job in the accounting field? Or am I limited to teaching english?

I am finishing up my MBA with specialization in accountancy but my undergrad is in Accounting.
Chipmunk   
12 Nov 2009
Life / Do expats living in Poland speak Polish? [233]

I don't... not yet at least. I'm signing up for courses as soon as possible. I feel bad not even knowing how to say hello or thank you... and the rest would be so helpful!
Chipmunk   
17 Nov 2009
Real Estate / Neighbourhoods in Warsaw - how safe? [23]

I live in Mokotow right in the general area you are talking about.

I feel safe. I walk to deli/store on Belska almost daily and after taking the bus with my son in the morning I walk the 2 miles home. I am never bothered, nor do I feel unsafe. I feel safer here (and perhaps I should be more cautious as a general sense) than I did back in the States.

I have no qualms about this area. While still very new to the area I'm very happy with the choice. I'm so close to so much. I get fresh produce daily just down the street and if I am in the mood I can go shopping at Galleria Mokotow.
Chipmunk   
28 Nov 2009
Life / Do expats living in Poland speak Polish? [233]

It's also much more fun if you actually understand what people around you say (are able to read signs, understand something of what they say on the TV or radio etc.).

I enjoy living in Poland much more now when I can have some conversations and understand something about what happens around me. If you live in a country only knowing a few words of the language you miss so much things.

I concur! It's really not fun at all sitting in "silence". Every day I trek on the bus and tram to do my errands and take the boy to school and I feel left out. I'd like to eves drop on a funny story or understand what the old ladies always say when they're dotting on my little boy.

I don't expect to become fluent but I'd like to be able to move about with ease a lot better.

I learned the simple "thank you" and already I feel better. I'm starting slow but hoping to get into some polish classes in January and working on building my circle of friends that will help as well.

erican.
Chipmunk   
28 Nov 2009
Real Estate / Neighbourhoods in Warsaw - how safe? [23]

@sobieski - I guess it's because of all the multinationals that have offices around this area. The company I am going to work for, has it's office just around the corner of Galeria Mokotow. Even if you do have a car, it's preferable to be around 20-30 minutes to work, and not get stuck in traffic..right?

Yes, traffic can be a pain. Not the worst I've seen/experienced but definitely a good share of it.
Chipmunk   
28 Nov 2009
Life / Do expats living in Poland speak Polish? [233]

Other expats I have met in my short time here have said they don't need it. That they can get around just fine without it.

I disagree. I do not feel like I can get around at all without it. Hell, I didn't even know I was suppose to "HAIL" a bus from certain bus stops until it passed me up one to many times. I think it will improve my comfort here tremendously.
Chipmunk   
28 Nov 2009
Life / Lack of Spacial Acuity in Poland [69]

Whoa!! I was just saying this to my husband today! I walk into so many people and that's with me maneuvering around them as best as I can! The buses/trams are the worst, and try doing that with a slow 4 year old on your hand. People have absolutely no regard for the little tyke and many times I have to push to make sure someone doesn't try to just walk between us, while my hand is firmly in his. I can understand if they just don't see him but when there are arms blocking your way don't think I am going to let go of my son in a crowd for you to get on the damn bus. It's NOT going to leave you when there are 6 other people trying to get through the door at the same time!
Chipmunk   
30 Dec 2009
Life / Having a baby in Poland as a US citizen [9]

First things first - you do know that having the baby in Poland will not entitle it to Polish citizenship automatically?

I'm curious how much experience you have personally with parents who come on this board or perhaps Poland in general just to birth their foreign children in Poland for citizenship? Seems like quite a move to come push out a child on Polish land to gain citizenship!? Quite the odd first order of business to handle... unless I'm missing something.

USMomma - I'll send you a PM with some information as soon as I get my son back to bed. We're currently TTC our second child and just recently was seeking a midwife for a home birth who also spoke English. I've found a great midwife who does speak English. However we're in Warsaw and that may be the reason I've been so lucky. Will you have family here in Poland already that you are joining? Are you already pregnant or hoping to conceive? We're also an American family living here in Poland although because of my husbands job.
Chipmunk   
20 Jan 2010
Life / Do expats living in Poland speak Polish? [233]

Speaking of speaking Polish... as an expat.

What the heck can I say not to offend people? I use to ask if people spoke English and that seemed to be quite offensive and I got No's. Then I just started talking/asking in English and they'd talk back or they'd ask someone standing next to them. However, I think this is rude even if they don't.

So I've gone back to asking "Can I get some assistance, or I need some help please" and I'm getting even more rude responses than either of the above mentioned.

I have thank you and hello down but that is the extent of my Polish and my classes don't start until late Feb.
Chipmunk   
20 Jan 2010
Life / Lack of Spacial Acuity in Poland [69]

:-) you live in Warsaw don't be supprised it's the most crude polish city (I read yor threads) BTW Mokotów is my favorite place in Warsaw.

Yeah seems like it. I was hoping being the bigger city they'd be more open to foreigners.

I do love Mokotów. I go running every night in the freezing cold and everyone generously clears the sidewalks, people don't bug me, and no one is in my way. My son's school is right here and then next year the British school is a hope away. Love the corner mom&pop stores. This I love about Poland, still adjusting to everything else. :)

And for whoever says Polish people don't eat American fast food.. holy hell someone is. I've never seen those places more packed. Those are some serious lines!
Chipmunk   
20 Jan 2010
Classifieds / Where to find English - speaking community in Warsaw? [15]

Marine House Parties :)

I as well would love to get together with more people who speak English! I definitely need to make some more friends here and those outside the embassy. Those people are scary. :P
Chipmunk   
21 Jan 2010
Life / Do expats living in Poland speak Polish? [233]

mafketis

Ah ha! Love your response. Thank you!! It really gives me some direction and makes sense. I don't want to offend and be courteous but I never thought that the approach I have is what I would do back in the States, and well definitely not in Kansas anymore :0)

One good aspect about all of this is that I am slowly learning what they are saying even if I can't say a thing back. Definitely want to learn about this culture, part of the fun of living here! Just still rusty for now.

Thank you!
Chipmunk   
1 Feb 2010
Life / Do expats living in Poland speak Polish? [233]

convex

To tell a story about those chimps, a friend recently obtained a US visa from them. She went for the interview, and they couldn't speak Polish - so why on earth should Poland provide English speakers?

I love "those people" type stories. I mean the world is full of "those people stories" from ignorant story tellers.

I think either you enjoy too much Polish Pride or you should get some new friends who do not lie to their friends. Then again perhaps it's just that your friend is made up.

That said, the truth about the consul office is actually quite different from this truth you spout about those "chimps". The officers themselves spend a year in DC learning Polish from 8-5, Monday through Friday.Even their spouses, if applicable, are sent to language training for eight weeks from 8-5. On top of that the entire office is dual employed by both Americans AND Polish employees. So I find it hard to believe that your friend sat there, obtained a Visa, while not a single person to speak to her/him in Polish.

Nice Try.
Chipmunk   
9 Feb 2010
Life / Bilingual kids in Polish schools [30]

My son was a late talker. He's now a little over 4 and attends an English speaking school and we speak English at home. However he knows so much Polish! His school is 25% international students and the rest are Polish so his friends all speak to him in Polish during play etc. The instruction is in English, but even during Christmas plays and so forth they do both English and Polish songs/skits. So while he is not bilingual, he's definitely capable of conversing and interacting with his friends. We've only been here a tad bit over three months and I am just amazed at how quickly he picked it up.

Personally, kids don't need to hold conversations to get their point across. Especially at your son's age. When we first arrived at Poland we would take him to the indoor play areas at some of the malls. He never had a problem playing.

I'd see if he's having more issues with being in school(preschool) and not at home than I would be about his language barriers right now. Maybe try some one on one play dates for him. My son is an only child and he benefits heavily from play dates. Especially before he started school.
Chipmunk   
1 Mar 2010
Law / Scrapping a vehicle in Poland? [21]

So we purchased a used vehicle here. I won't go into the back story but in short it's a lemon. It's an import so it doesn't become clear until July 2011.

I know that we need to have it crushed if we don't sell it to another diplomat. I just wanted to see if there is any option to scrap it to salvage any money out of the loss.

It's a 97 Ford Explorer. Supposedly the timing system is bad and the shop wants 3000zl for the labor and I don't want to put that sort of money into it.

Thanks.
Chipmunk   
1 Mar 2010
Law / Scrapping a vehicle in Poland? [21]

Hah, I'd like to see Ukraine before we leave Europe but not with trying to sell a truck. Thank you for the idea though! :0)

No, it is on CD plates.

We were told today that we can't even scrap it. That because it's still on it's duty free status our only option is to crush it or sell it. If a nondip purchases it there is duty. However she said that is based on blue book. I'm assuming that would be the value of the vehicle now... of course I'm sure they'll say it's on the value of when it entered the country.

I'll send him a wildrover a message and Forfour44 I am emailing you. :)

Thank you!

The parts can be found probably on ebay or somewhere else..

We can get all the parts from the states (we already have $300 of parts coming any day now from the original diagnosis. Basically it needed a tune up etc and it was much easier to get the parts ourselves from the states than to buy them locally.

As it sits they're saying it won't even start now. Although we drove it fine prior and it was running last week when they replaced the two timing tensioners. They said this morning it turned on, and ran for 30 seconds before dying and now it won't turn on (Battery, starter all that is fine supposedly). So now to add to the headache we'll have to tow it out of there or anywhere for a second opinion.

Doesn't 3000zl seem steep for a timing replacement!? Max would be 4 or 5 hours to replace and generally so far in my opinion the cost of labor has been much cheaper here than the States.
Chipmunk   
1 Mar 2010
Law / Scrapping a vehicle in Poland? [21]

Oops, sorry, but yes you're accurate it is the shop/mechanic place telling us it won't start.
Chipmunk   
1 Mar 2010
Law / Scrapping a vehicle in Poland? [21]

I really appreciate all your help and advice. This whole mess has had me so upset and frustrated.

Harry: As far as the mechanic goes, supposedly this is the mechanic that the embassy has used for the past 15 years. There is a third party service we utilized through the embassy, where we pay a fee, and the embassy employes a Polish man who takes care of the appointment, escorting the vehicle and all that. Mainly for the translation issues and I guess for the more routine things like a oil change all you have to do is come into work and it's done when you get off. So on one had I want to believe the mechanic is reliable and trustworthy but after having someone from within our own diplomatic community rip us off why wouldn't anyone else? For what it's worth we're using Overland Motors. I don't have any reason to think they're being shady but...

Dnz : Thank you, I have pm'd and appreciate the pointing in the right direction. Symptoms were a small idle ticking noise in the engine that progressed into a larger ticking noise. I've included to video clips I happen to take for my dad prior to having it serviced.

I don't know if we could swap. Although interested personally, the issue still lies with the stupid tax free/duty fees that need to be paid. Tomorrow my husband is going to find out those figures.

Dasla : I will send you a PM. Interested in your friend. Perhaps I could hire him to come out to the shop and take a look at it before we decide to tow it or something. By chance does he speak Polish and English?

Once again, I really do appreciate the help. I still feel incredible stupid for being in this situation. My husband is just like let it go it's not worth the time. But to me it is a lot of money to just kiss away and I don't feel quite right just letting it be. Hence trying to not walk away empty handed from the mess if I don't have too.
Chipmunk   
1 Mar 2010
Law / Scrapping a vehicle in Poland? [21]

It's about $20 give or take on the exchange for the entire service. Like a fee on top of the charges the mechanic would also charge us.

Out of curiosity how much is a tow truck typically? We were told about 250zl
Chipmunk   
1 Mar 2010
Law / Scrapping a vehicle in Poland? [21]

Dnz: I'll definitely send you the information. The sparks definitely need to be changed. I have the wires in the mail and shop was going to get the sparks as I didn't know what sparks exactly to get and they were going to cost the same per spark as I could get online.

Other than the noise, I felt it ran great. The noise just got considerably louder so I figured we'd get it looked at. We had some issues starting it in the real cold weather but as soon as we started parking it in the garage it started right up no problem. There were a few times when we'd put it into reverse after starting it up that it'd die don't know what that could mean.

The general consensus seems to be that we are getting taken. At least on the labor part. Since we already told them we'd get the parts ourselves. So I'll definitely take recommendations for mechanics!

Thanks again!
Chipmunk   
6 Mar 2010
Life / BEFORE Poland.. what did you do then and what are your plans now? [29]

If you studied, where and what?

BS in Accountancy now finishing my MBA this spring!!!

Where did you live?

Washington State (born and bred...)
After I married the hub,
29 Palms, California
Jacksonville, Florida
San Diego California
Lusaka, Zambia (Africa)...

Going back to San Diego after Warsaw!

What job(s) did you have?

Bean counter

Why did you choose Poland and not somewhere else?

My husband is one of Uncle Sammy's Misguided Children... :0)

Do you plan to stay forever?

Tempting, seriously..... but San Diego is far more fun.

Could you speak any Polish before you came?

No
Chipmunk   
21 Apr 2010
Life / Is it hard for a foreigner to give birth in Poland? [15]

You'll be fine, probably better off here in Poland than the US.

In the US they'll let you labor for 45 minutes before they start telling you it's time to think about a cesarean section. Kidding... but personally I'd much rather have my kid here at a private hospital or with a midwife, than back in the States and plan on it. :)
Chipmunk   
22 Apr 2010
Life / Any place like a "Goodwill" in Warsaw? [10]

In the States you can take your boxes of used items to places like Goodwill to donate. Is there a similar places like this here? I have a box of clothes and then another box of odds and ends with some toys etc.
Chipmunk   
18 May 2010
Food / Coffee Syrup - like 1883 and Torani? [11]

I'm hoping to find coffee syrup for my coffee making at home. I've tried Coffee Heavens selection that they offer for sale and it's not that great. I'm hoping to find 1883 or Torani or any other suggestions you may have?

Or perhaps know where I can start looking for it? Thank you!!
Chipmunk   
20 May 2010
Travel / Indian or Mexican food in Warsaw. [60]

Buddha Bar on Nowy Swiat looks interesting - has anyone been there?

We went a few weeks ago. It was alright but definitely on the mild side, even after I specifically asked for spicy. Some reason it just tasted bland but the service was great and that is always a perk in my opinion for Warsaw! Beautiful restaurant and if you're homesick for a Starbucks there is one right now the road. But Coffee Heaven is better (a once Starbuck addict too!)

We've tried Tandoor Palace and Maharaja. Both a few times and we never had good luck. The last time Tandoor was the best we've had, but holy spicy and once again I love the spicy part but this was overkill. I was only able to eat a few bites before I gave up, even after it was mixed with some yogurt and rice. I wanted to like it because it's close to the embassy and the walk back is nice after Indian! I'd probably give Tandoor Palace another try on a whim before Maharaja's though.

I'm going to have to try Arti, La Bono and Namaste. Because honestly I have just about given up on Indian food here and it has definitely become one of my favorites!!!!

Now.. mexican... I'm a snob when it comes to Mexican food as it's my absolute favorite cuisine and I was spoiled for three years living in San Diego with the best mexican food EVER! Anyway...Tortilla factory IMO and I see it is of the minority, but it is crap. Blue Cactus is definitely the closest I've found to what I consider Mexican flavors. (I'm basing this off San Diego Mexican style/flavors though) It is pricey though and the service is hit or miss. I know it's the American in me but I almost rather pay for the over priced food at Hard Rock for the service than to deal with the lack of service we get at a lot of other places.

Now don't bash me on the service comment. I see that Americans definitely have a different spin on their food service for sit down restaurants and that's okay. I'm getting better and more accustomed but it's taking time.

Now.. I'll go try and google for the above mentioned Indian restaurants but addresses would be great! Thank you!