Visiting Poland in May - what should I bring?

Hello everyone! First of all I want to introduce myself. My name is Gonzalo I was born in Mexico but live in Chicago for the last 14yrs. As you might now Chicago has the largest polish population outside of Warsaw! Which is very nice! I consider myself very lucky to be married to a beautiful Polish, sometime people can't believe she's my wife and I get complements all the time. Guys would come up to me and say "she's beutiful, you the man" I'm just glad I'm not the jealous type ; )

Anyway, we are going to Poland in May and since she hasn't been there for 10 yrs, well she can't answer when I ask what item should I bring to Poland. She has a lot of family ther and I would love to bring something special for them.

So, what should I bring? Thanks for any advice!

You can buy practically everything in Poland, try to find out what her family is into and go from there.

In my opinion the best thing to do, when you are in Poland, arrange a mexican evening and cook the food and make drinks for them. Mexican food is quite expensive in Pl for the average Pole. Bring all the mixes and spices from the states, the quality is better. Most importantly though bring their daughter home safe and well.

What you can't get for sure in Poland is the Mexican art made by the indigenous people. I mean the pictures or objects decorated by gluing the wool threads or beads with wax to the boards or objects. They are so beautiful.

Thank you all! I knew I would find the answer here.

Well, my family owns a Mex. restaurant in Chicago so cooking for them is an excelent idea, and I'm sure they will enjoy it! The tequila ofcourse can't be forgotten, and my dad is flying back from Mexico on Sat. I'll be sure to ask for some art.

This is great! I didn't even think about cooking for them...

Thank you again and if you have any other sugestions I'm all ears. I been told coffe and gum would be nice too. What coffee? Colombian coffee? Sturbucks? Grain? Or instant?

Plenty of both in Poland, and Starbucks too. Some art is a good idea. Maybe Mexican sweets and chocolates too?

Stop it !
You,re making my mouth water, the thought of some good Mexican nosh. Lucky for your in-laws.

Just an idea as you are in Chicago, can you still get things from Mexico ?
I think some Mexican folk craft would make good gifts too. Like those corn dolly type things etc.

Good luck Gonzalo, hope your visit turns out positive.

Gonzalo, while you are in Poland, please do me a favor: I am looking for the best Krupnik (Polish honey vodka) for a special occasion later this year. Unfortunately, I do not have a brand name for you - but the Polish people will know the best. If you can find the name of one, I would greatly appreciate it. I'll work on my end to find a distributor in USA that can deliver.

I just talked to my cousin in Mex. he will buy "Talavera" hand made pottery which is very popular from the region I'm from. He's also sending me some small leather hand made suveniers.

I had second toughts about gum too! it would have been akward if out of all things I show up with gum! uh! thanks for the heads up!

HITMAN I know exactly what you are talking about! I'll be sure to get some traditional candy.

SAR you have a PM

Make it interesting...skip the tequila, and bring a bottle of mezcal :)

How about one of those colorful hand woven blankets?

Yes! I told my cousin about mezcal even thou I can get it here I want the bottle with the tax stamp from Mexico. I wanted to include that in my last post but for some reason it didnt let me edit it. Glad we are on the same page! lol I wonder what they'll say when I tell then they have to eat the worm. = )

Yes! blanket is a good idea too! and it won't use a lot of space in the louge. We sent a 68lb package to Poland with some stuff but nothing like that.

bring them Tecate or Dos Equis... :)

I heard Corona is really expensive in Poland! could someone provide with a link where I can find more info on items I'm allowed to bring? I know some countries don't allow fruits or seeds. If i'm right, the limit for alcohol is 3 1.5lt bottles. Correct?

yes, Corona is expensive in Poland, but also, you don't want to bring some watery drink to the Poles... sorry! Poles like stronger beer... :)

for spirits, it's 1L, beer and wine 2L


Pretty much the only thing consumed here is watery drink. All the best selling beers are pale lagers.

You mean chewing gum?Great idea,don't forget oranges and banannas.


Yes, VERY expensive,the whole 5 PLN/bottle which I agree is expensive compared to european beer but not that expensive to haul it across the ocean.

oh forget coffee gum oranges bananas ... we're up to our ears in them.
when i came to poland for the first time in the early 90s - sure, jars of coffee were prized enough to be placed around the lounge like ornaments.

but those days are gone.
supermarkets are large and well supplied (in the most case - sometimes there are missing things but I would say it's supply chain incompetence/indifference, rather than a real shortage)

i'd go for that nice mexican meal idea -- with a few small souvenirs on the side. don't play the "food aid" game -- it's a matter of sharing culture.

oh - and it was -7C here last night, up in the sunny north

If you bring food, then bring lots of corn tortillas. They are not available in Poland (and freeze and defrost well). Flour tortillas are easily available (though not cheap).

Tequila is available already (though expensive).

Some of the spices can be hard to find (esp in smaller towns). You might take ground cumin with you. You might bring some fresh chili peppers but most Polish people cannot handle them (spicy food isn't that popular, people prefer milder tastes).

Also maybe mexican limes (generally limes here are from brazil and are hard without much juice).

IOk this is what I have so far:

Cholula hot sauce even though label is in english it is imported from mexico and is milder than Tabasco sauce. I probably take 2 or 3 bottles of 360ml

Lawry's seasoned salt. My personal fave for stakes and poltry its what we use @ the restaurant. Bottle of one Lb.

Don Julio Reposado 750Ml bottle my favorite tequila. One at least

Talavera shot glasses

I asked what the deal is with chewing gum since some say yes some no. Apparently Wriglie's brand is hard to find or expensive. I guess I can bring some, but I'm also looking for some unique gum, like organic or all natural gum.

I'm just getting started I still have long way to go but enough time to obtain more items.

My father arrives Saturday from Mexico I'm sure he's bringing some goodies

Sounds great. Don't forget Mexican chocolate or other sweets, if you can get them. They will go down very well. Forget chewing gum - every shop sells seveal brands and flavours.

Forget the gum. Along with everything else gum chewing is kind of looked down upon by Poles. They used to call Americans 'gum chewers' (not meant kindly).

Once more, fresh corn tortillas. The Poles I've known who've had them really liked them and they're not available (there's something called corn tortillas but they're not and they're awful).

Mexican chocolate! (the less processed the better!)

You could also try making a mango shake (mangos can be found though they're not cheap) with a raw egg in it (but don't tell them about that ahead of time).

Black beans (sometimes available but Poles don't know what to do with them).

He is right,Gonzo don't bother with gum.I was just messing with you.In 1987 you would probably made some kids happy with chewing gum but it's 2011 and I guess you don't want feel like an idiot.I think some Peyote would make a great gift.

Here is a link to two of the better Mexican restaurants in Warsaw

bluecactus.pl/cactus-obecnezalozenia.php
warsawtortillafactory.pl

You can see what's on offer

Haha. Bring some to Jersey on your way to Poland ;)


Too bad. I love pilsners.


You're blowing my mind!


YES. So true.

Simply not true.Wrigley's has a chewing gum factory in Poznań Poland.

/moodily peers at the packet of chewing gum on her desk/

yup - Orbit ... produced by Wrigley Poland.

it's even "NEW! SPEARMINT"

/cjj

It's standard stuff, but from a curious little shop in the depths of Wrzeszcz that sells 'Rolo's and Terry's Chocolate Oranges from time to time .... maybe they have a little wrinkle in the space time continuum somewhere in the back behind the beer ... I wish they would bring in some creme eggs.

I made tacos when visiting Poland once and when I left, the people I styed with were licking the juices from the pan and would eat the leftover tacos one a day so it lasts longer. Poles love that stuff and it's a good idea to make some.

Hello GonjoRR...

According tome first of all make lsit of the family members you are visiting there....And then according to the age factor decide what to give to them...Or if you want to take a combined gift then you have to consult the gift shop owners for this,as they can suggest you better than anyone else...

Justin Loe.
----------------