Travel / Częstochowa - could give me some good info on the place? [14]

Nightlife is mainly this place: polish-blog.com/poland-nightclub-review-don-kichot-in-czestochowa/

There is also a Cinema City which is as modern as any cinema I've seen in the west, it was built about 5/6 years ago, shows some Polish films as well as Hollywood type films in English with Polish subtitles and has the usual vastly overpriced beverages and popcorn.

There are a few decent restaurants as well as a few chain places like Sphinx. Just don't go to the Chinese place, its very expensive and I'm pretty sure an Uncle Bens microwave rice far exceeds anything the kitchen there can produce. Cafe Consonni does great ice cream, cakes, coffee and plenty of students go in there.

To be honest there is not a whole load of things to do compared to somewhere like Krakow, the trip will be what you make it though, find some new friends, be open to doing anything and your experience will be vastly improved.

Travel / Finding a place to stay in Krakow for a month! Couch surfing. [14]

Zombie,

I've just taken up a lease for a 2 bedroom place 5 minutes away from the old town. Give me a shout nearer the time if you want a room for a month. I've got family and friends coming for weekends over the summer but it will be free for September.

All mod cons plus internet, LCD TV etc.

Work / Advice on Teaching English in Poland [709]

It seems like an lifetime ago that I started this thread but I thought I'd give a brief update on how I progressed.

I managed to find a part time position teaching English in a private nursery and it was one of the most rewarding jobs I've ever had. The kids were aged between 3-6 and I taught basic English with the help of the nursery owner.

The children progressed quickly and were soon rattling off the alphabet, numbers and the usual greetings (even the 3 year olds). I got involved in other aspects of the nursery including going out on day trips, helping parents with business English, private lessons with the older siblings of the kids to help them pass the matura exam.

The culmination of my 6 months at the nursery was a Christmas concert including a rendition of Jingle Bells (in English), now someone must have been cutting onions nearby as I had a tear in my eye watching the kids I'd taught sing their hearts out.

There are going to be people considering a move to Poland and yes teaching English is one of the main options, but it does open other doors. Through contacts made at the nursery I got involved in importing goods from China to Poland, internet marketing and a number of other ventures.

Poland is quite a tough place to manage in, many turn up not knowing the language or any people but for those seeking a bit of adventure and are prepared to make the most of it I'd recommend giving it a shot.

I used to have a boring job in the UK, I'm sure some of you can relate to this... stuck in a rut, doing the same old thing etc. Because of my experiences in Poland I now have my own business, can speak Polish and divide my time between the UK, Poland and Ukraine.

Best of luck for those giving it a go! :)

Work / Teaching English in Zakopane, is it safe? [45]


I can confirm this.

I've just come back from Zakopane and I wouldn't suggest it as a place to conduct business unless you have some solid contacts there. The local police are also quite keen to top up their salaries.

Travel / VISITING POZNAN, can anyone suggest places to visit including good bars/clubs? [16]

HaHa... I decapitated myself as a certain someone wouldn't be very happy to see my arm around a Rooster Girl. We once dined nearby and she looked on in utter disgust.

I was of course equally disgusted... and went back the next day with a mate for a 3 hour dinner, vodka shots, dancing on the bar and many photos.

Travel / VISITING POZNAN, can anyone suggest places to visit including good bars/clubs? [16]

HaHa Gorzow... I was fortunate enough to live there for 8 months

So... to Poznan.

I'd recommend a few things:

1) Visit the Lech Brewery. Call them up and say you would like a tour, try give them 24 hours notice. They give you a really interesting private tour lasting about 2 hours, you get to see the process from start to finish and finally end up in the bar where you usually get a couple of free pints of Lech Pilsner.

It's about a 25zl taxi ride from the Town Square, take a bit of cash with you as you can get nice Lech branded T-shirts for about 12zl.

2) The War Cemetery is worth a visit, there is a huge park about a 20 minute walk from the town square with a war museum and some cemetery quite close to it. Graves of fallen soldiers/airforce from Poland/Russia/UK

I'm shy:

3) Rooster's - No more explanation needed (think Hooters in the US)

4) Other Stuff: The new shopping place in the old Lech Brewery is amazing, really nice bars on the top floor, good cinema etc. Bars in the Town Square are very chilled out, some great places on the side streets also.

I've travelled all over Poland and in my opinion nothing beats Poznan. Much prefer it to Krakow, Gdansk, Wroclaw and yes... EVEN Gorzow WP.

Admins... There seems to be a problem with images, trying again on new post:

Lech Brewery:

War Cemetary:

Roosters:

Work / Belgian applying for a financial job in Poland with question [7]

Olivier,

I've had some experience working in the financial sector in Poland, I worked in the finance markets in London for a few years and had the opportunity to work on some projects for one of our subsidiaries based in Poland.

I was already dating a Polish girl at the time so this tied in quite nicely to our plans.

You might find some positions within the companies who have taken over ABN Amro such as Fortis (own Polska SA) and Santander who have a number of Polish branches, I've previously worked for Santander and have contacts there if you want me to enquire on current positions available.

Some finance skills such as mathematics, accounting, project management can be transfered to other roles if you struggle to find banking jobs. I ended up leaving banking and starting an internet company which I continue to do now.

What you say is correct, whilst you can have the perfect relationship you need a balanced life which involves a career. Best of luck with it!

Life / How Safe Are the Polish Cities? [179]

Czestochowa is pretty safe, never had a problem.

Life / Popular Polish blog and chat sites [65]

.polish-blog.

Food / What's your favorite Polish beer? [870]

I've seen some 18% beer in the local supermarket... scary stuff

Someone is posting Polish beers here:

beersofpoland.blogspot.com

Work / Advice on Teaching English in Poland [709]


*No one liked me in Poland, In fact anywhere I've been.


*I didn't make any friends, pehaps me telling everyone "how it is" all the time had something to do with it


*I'm a socially inept


*I'm 40 years old, single, have never been to Poland and get kicks from making up crap on a message board

Work / Advice on Teaching English in Poland [709]

They are private languague schools.

Where would I find stressful? teaching younger than highschool age?

Travel / Need information about Czestochowa! Hostels / Hotels? [24]

nightlife is ok, there is a disco called Don Kichot which plays mainly latin dance stuff. it's free to get in for ladies and about 10zl for guys.

Some nice countryside a short drive away but I'd have to agree the place is a bit grey.

Life / Popular Polish blog and chat sites [65]

kinuk.co.uk/blog

some more Polish blogs in her links

Travel / Photos from Poland [258]

£agów yesterday - it was hot! 36+ degrees
Dinner at a lakeside place - 13zl

More £agów

Travel / Photos from Poland [258]

Lubniewice from the 2nd of May

Witnica (Gorzow Wlkp) 4th May 2007

Krzyż Train Station 30th April 2007

Travel / Photos from Poland [258]

Our Lady of Czestochowa - Jasna Gora monastery, Czestochowa
Next week I'll be in Poznan, Gorzow and Witnica so will have more to add :)

Krakow

Off-Topic / An English Version of Gadu-Gadu? [105]

I use an English version of GG called JaduJadu.

It's exactly the same but the instructions and the app are all in English. it works great, I've never had one problem with it and I'm often talking with people in Poland who use GG.

javujavu.com

When your at the page click the "Messenger" tab and then just click on the link titled "JavuSetup3.0.3.exe" beneath the title "Installer for Windows".

If you get stuck with it and need a hand just let me know.

:)