We're in Poland...finally. After stolen peanut butter, lost/damaged luggage, a lack of sleep and getting settled in...the fun and new experiences have begun. My first thoughts of Poland were varied. I was thoroughly surprised by amount of greenery in the city. Most cities back home that I've visited don't have as many trees and grass. I really liked this about Warsaw. I was also surprised by the amount of graffiti in the city. It apparently is one of the biggest crimes youth commit in Poland today. I saw several homeless people on street corners. This surprised me as well. Although there are very apparent differences between an American city and Warsaw, Poland, Warsaw seems like a typical city.
I wasn't expecting such a communication barrier. Without our amazing guide to help me translate, I'd be lost in the city. It was hard today when me and everyone were walking around by ourselves. No one understood us. The people who asked us questions, we could only answer "We don't speak Polish." It's odd, but I guess I should have expected it. I wish I had more knowledge of the language. I'm afraid to to use a little bit of Polish, too. I'm afraid that people will think that I know more Polish than I do. I really only know a few words.
I am jealous of the amount of history that Poland has. Our tour guide allowed us to visit his home yesterday. He told us about the young girl and her Jewish fiance who hid in his house's loft during World War II. I don't know any American's who have interesting stories like that about their homes.
I won't lie, I was up late last night. The girls and I hit up the sauna at the hotel. It was great. Then Jessica and I talked late into the night. I was not looking forward to today's activity. I was very tired. It turned out to be an amazing day. The Sejm buildings were gorgeous. Wide open spaces with elegant trim and marble floors and staircases everywhere. It was breath-taking. The guide wasn't too bad either... :)
We then were allowed to tour the Old Town. It's so colorful; I love it. We visited St. Anne's and St. Joseph's Cathedrals. They were....heavenly. For serious, I told Jess that I am moving to Poland and joining one of the parishes just so I can get married in one of these churches. I think the religious parts of our trip are definitely going to have the most impact on me.
We took a tour of the Royal Castle, which was equally as gorgeous. I think the theme for today was definitely breath-taking spaces.
Breath taking spaces...and new friends.
Today was spent a lot with my new friends. We toured the Old Town together, taking lots and lots of silly pictures (I'm sure someone will post some of them). During our free time we visited the Wedding Cake building and did some shopping. Now, we're all just sitting around and talking...celebrating Sarah's 20th Birthday (don't worry Mrs. Keesom, I think she had a great birthday). These kids are great. Parents: you raised pretty cool kids. They are making this trip so much more enjoyable.
So, here's to New Friends...New Experiences.
xoxo
Manda
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
Yak sie masc from Dr. B! It is wonderful to be back in Poland! Aside from a mild trauma (my luggage got lost in Frankfurt but was returned later the night we checked in--oy!), we're off to a really good start. We've seen a great deal of Warsaw and have been fed to the point of bursting (that is how I know I am actually in Poland, by the way). And, unlike the last time I was here, I'm getting a chance to discover new things about the capital city. I was really enchanted by Lazienki Park, which I had only seen at a glance. Having walked throught the park, the lush grounds early in the morning were a soothing oasis. And touring the Sejm, or the seat of Polish government, was really interesting; Polish democracy came into clearer focus. But on a more personal note, going to these places and many others, I have developed a new understanding and appreciation of freedom to the Poles. And further, I now better understand the enormous spirit and perseverance of the Poles, who have experienced adversity the likes of which are unknown to so many of us in the West. It makes me all the more proud of my Polish heritage. Yes, it is definitely good to be back in Poland! Do widzenie!
Last day in Warsaw (Donna)
IT'S SARAH'S BIRTHDAY. WOO.
Today was a leisurely day, and I throughly enjoyed it.
The morning started off a little bit later than yesterday, which was nice, and after breakfast, we headed to the Polish Parliament.
Once we got there, it was a bit confusing to try and figure out where we had to go to, but once we got everything straightened out, we met our tour guide, who surprisingly, spoke very good English.
He gave us a tour of the Parliament, the chamber where the Sejm (kind of like the US House of Representatives) meets, the Senat (just like our Senate) chamber, a media press room and a couple of other rooms. It was really interesting to make comparisons between the US government and the Polish government. Apparently it's not much different because the guide said the Senate basically did nothing (haha) and that the Christian Right had much influence on the government there as well, in fact, the Prime Minister has his own chair in the Sejm chamber.
Then, we got back on the bus and went to the Old Town (which is conveniently located about a mile away from our hotel, well, walking distance anyway). When we got there we had about two hours of free time to wander around before we had to meet at the Royal Castle (where everyone past Sigmund lived, which is why there's a statue of him in front of it). So, we mostly just wandered around. There was a big giant defense wall thing that I forgot the name of, and it was accessible, so we climbed on that for about a half an hour. Then we wandered around the old town and basically covered it all for the next two hours. We ended up feeding some birds and having them swarm all over us before we decided to move in order to avoid being excreted on.
Later, we met the rest of our group and toured the castle. It was amazing. I enjoyed it much more than the palace we visited yesterday. Basically all of the rooms were draped in gold and there were really cool pictures and our guide was really nice. I had two favorite rooms. One was the Ballroom, which was basically all gold and gold marble with really nice chandeliers. The second was the king's room with black marble and portraits of all of the kings of Poland, plus influential Polish people.
Unfortunately, I did not get any pictures of any of the rooms in the palace (as my camera was in Jeremy's bag) but several other people did and I am sure that they will be posted.
After the castle, we had a very nice lunch (with so much food I don't want to eat for three days) and this very interesting chocolate mango ice cream combination.
Then we came back to the Hotel and we have the rest of the day to do whatever we like.
Tonight we're celebrating Sarah's birthday.
Tomorrow we get to sleep in even more (Until 9!) and then we pack up and move on to our next location, which I'm not sure of right now because I don't have my itinerary =(.
That's all for now =D
-Donna.
Today was a leisurely day, and I throughly enjoyed it.
The morning started off a little bit later than yesterday, which was nice, and after breakfast, we headed to the Polish Parliament.
Once we got there, it was a bit confusing to try and figure out where we had to go to, but once we got everything straightened out, we met our tour guide, who surprisingly, spoke very good English.
He gave us a tour of the Parliament, the chamber where the Sejm (kind of like the US House of Representatives) meets, the Senat (just like our Senate) chamber, a media press room and a couple of other rooms. It was really interesting to make comparisons between the US government and the Polish government. Apparently it's not much different because the guide said the Senate basically did nothing (haha) and that the Christian Right had much influence on the government there as well, in fact, the Prime Minister has his own chair in the Sejm chamber.
Then, we got back on the bus and went to the Old Town (which is conveniently located about a mile away from our hotel, well, walking distance anyway). When we got there we had about two hours of free time to wander around before we had to meet at the Royal Castle (where everyone past Sigmund lived, which is why there's a statue of him in front of it). So, we mostly just wandered around. There was a big giant defense wall thing that I forgot the name of, and it was accessible, so we climbed on that for about a half an hour. Then we wandered around the old town and basically covered it all for the next two hours. We ended up feeding some birds and having them swarm all over us before we decided to move in order to avoid being excreted on.
Later, we met the rest of our group and toured the castle. It was amazing. I enjoyed it much more than the palace we visited yesterday. Basically all of the rooms were draped in gold and there were really cool pictures and our guide was really nice. I had two favorite rooms. One was the Ballroom, which was basically all gold and gold marble with really nice chandeliers. The second was the king's room with black marble and portraits of all of the kings of Poland, plus influential Polish people.
Unfortunately, I did not get any pictures of any of the rooms in the palace (as my camera was in Jeremy's bag) but several other people did and I am sure that they will be posted.
After the castle, we had a very nice lunch (with so much food I don't want to eat for three days) and this very interesting chocolate mango ice cream combination.
Then we came back to the Hotel and we have the rest of the day to do whatever we like.
Tonight we're celebrating Sarah's birthday.
Tomorrow we get to sleep in even more (Until 9!) and then we pack up and move on to our next location, which I'm not sure of right now because I don't have my itinerary =(.
That's all for now =D
-Donna.
Monday, May 5, 2008
New Buildings, Old Buildings
As you have heard we are here!!
I was really surprised when we got here because I was expecting an older city. I knew that most of the city had been distroyed by the war but I did not realize it was so much. Many of the building are post war or have been recontructed to the orginal facade. These building are really pretty. This city much have really been something before the war, but even now it is quite an interesting city. There is a lot of people walking here and there, most chatting and just stolling down the street. The city is very different from other European cities, but I am growing acustom to seeing the communist style building next to the prewar buildings.
The walk Kate, Maggie and I took was georgious. There were small cafes along the street with locals sitting sipping coffee and just chatting. The whole atmosphere was friendly and leisurly as though calling one to sit and just watch the people. It was tempting but we decided to head back and catch some rest.
Chelsea
I was really surprised when we got here because I was expecting an older city. I knew that most of the city had been distroyed by the war but I did not realize it was so much. Many of the building are post war or have been recontructed to the orginal facade. These building are really pretty. This city much have really been something before the war, but even now it is quite an interesting city. There is a lot of people walking here and there, most chatting and just stolling down the street. The city is very different from other European cities, but I am growing acustom to seeing the communist style building next to the prewar buildings.
The walk Kate, Maggie and I took was georgious. There were small cafes along the street with locals sitting sipping coffee and just chatting. The whole atmosphere was friendly and leisurly as though calling one to sit and just watch the people. It was tempting but we decided to head back and catch some rest.
Chelsea
Our first full day in Warsaw
Welcome to Poland! I can't believe that we are here... it hardly seems possible. Warsaw is kind of what I expected, after looking at pictures online, and after previous times of being in Europe. Obviously, it is not exactly the same as Western Europe, but it has many attributes that are. There's the mineral water, of course, which we all know is NOT water, and should not be masqueraded as such, because that can be kind of disappointing when one is very thirsty. One big different is the Soviet style buildings (obviously built by... you guessed it... the Soviets!). They are as lifeless as the buildings of the Old Town are full of life! They have no ornamentation, not anything unique. Just flat concrete walls, and almost prison-like, in my opinion. I can't imagine how depressing a whole city of these buildings would be like.
Today was a busy day, but, as it has already been described, I would just like to add in a few things. First, a picture of one of the red squirrels that had been so praised already. Aw... isn't he cute? I love the little ear tufts! I just wonder how some of the locals must have been laughing at us... oh well!
Here is a BEAUTIFUL male peacock that decided to show off his tail feathers. There were quite a few of the males calling (sounding slightly like a mix between a meow and someone saying hello), which is not the most peaceful song, in the park. We saw these pretty boys in Lazienki Park (which is pronounced "Wash-i-ayn-key" or something close to that). I found it amusing that our first stop in Warsaw, Poland's capital, was a park, where we were taking pictures of the wildlife. It was definitely a peaceful way to start the day.
Here we are listening to our tour guide tell us about this Romanesque amphitheater, still in Lazienki Park. Note the peacocks on the stage, and the fact that the stage is across the water.
While we were at the museum for the Warsaw uprising, our tour guide found some of us, and brought us to the bottom floor, where we were able to go through a reconstructed sewer system, where is how the members of the Warsaw uprising got around the city, without the Germans finding out. It was pretty narrow and rounded at the bottom, so it was hard to walk through it. Difficult as it was, we didn't have to deal with what is normally found in sewers, and other things left as products of the war. Still, it gave me a new appreciation for what the Poles did to fight for their freedom.
Our last stop for the day was at Wilanow Palace, where we got a very detailed tour of the Palace. At first, I was disappointed, because I was expecting something like Versailles, but the whole top floor contained a lot of portraits of the royalty and other relations. I was pleasantly surprised, when we got to the first floor, and it was beautifully decorated and furnished, with gold accents everywhere, and murals on the ceiling, with sculptured corners.
Well, that's all from me for today!
-Sarah
Today was a busy day, but, as it has already been described, I would just like to add in a few things. First, a picture of one of the red squirrels that had been so praised already. Aw... isn't he cute? I love the little ear tufts! I just wonder how some of the locals must have been laughing at us... oh well!
Here is a BEAUTIFUL male peacock that decided to show off his tail feathers. There were quite a few of the males calling (sounding slightly like a mix between a meow and someone saying hello), which is not the most peaceful song, in the park. We saw these pretty boys in Lazienki Park (which is pronounced "Wash-i-ayn-key" or something close to that). I found it amusing that our first stop in Warsaw, Poland's capital, was a park, where we were taking pictures of the wildlife. It was definitely a peaceful way to start the day.
Here we are listening to our tour guide tell us about this Romanesque amphitheater, still in Lazienki Park. Note the peacocks on the stage, and the fact that the stage is across the water.
While we were at the museum for the Warsaw uprising, our tour guide found some of us, and brought us to the bottom floor, where we were able to go through a reconstructed sewer system, where is how the members of the Warsaw uprising got around the city, without the Germans finding out. It was pretty narrow and rounded at the bottom, so it was hard to walk through it. Difficult as it was, we didn't have to deal with what is normally found in sewers, and other things left as products of the war. Still, it gave me a new appreciation for what the Poles did to fight for their freedom.
Our last stop for the day was at Wilanow Palace, where we got a very detailed tour of the Palace. At first, I was disappointed, because I was expecting something like Versailles, but the whole top floor contained a lot of portraits of the royalty and other relations. I was pleasantly surprised, when we got to the first floor, and it was beautifully decorated and furnished, with gold accents everywhere, and murals on the ceiling, with sculptured corners.Well, that's all from me for today!
-Sarah
"Oh Susannah" and mutant red squirrels
We're heeeeeere . . . and it's awesome!! Things went pretty well yesterday and we are settled in at our hotel which is basically right in the center of the city. We have a great view of a large building that was a "gift" from Stalin (he made them an offer they couldn't refuse) and thus has been nicknamed after a certain part of his anatomy. Our tour guide is pretty awesome; he knows what he's talking about and is really cool. Last night we went to dinner at a restaurant that served us what Dr. Bizub termed "Polish soul food." It was five courses, starting with mincemeat pierogies, including a rather interesting soup that contained strips of kielbasa and an entire hard-boiled egg, some salad, pork (which was rather delicious) with a side of . . . well I wouldn't know how to really describe them - kind of like chewy gummies but potato flavored?, and ending with fruit crepes (which I, in my uncultured, non-"Bon Apetit" reading ignorance thought were just flimsy tortillas before being hastily corrected). There were people playing music there . . . the oddest assortment of music any of us had ever heard. They started out with Latino or something, and then moved into the most interesting montage of songs you could imagine, including but not limited to "Jingle Bells," "Spanish Eyes," "Rock Around The Clock," "Oh Susannah," "Yankee Doodle," and another Christmas song that I can't remember the name of. It was quite an experience.
Today we did a tour of Warsaw and picked up a second guide, one who just does Warsaw, especially for this. It was really weird doing it by bus, though, since I've only ever walked cities. It was so odd to be looking at stuff just going by in a bus. I really do think that the only way to really see a city is by walking it, but we do have a limited amount of time and we did get to see more stuff this way. It's just so great to be walking around these quaint, beautiful streets. This morning we saw Lazienki Part which was lovely. They have peacocks just roaming around, and a few of them did the complete tailfeather display for us, which was very cool. We also saw giant red squirrels with huge ears - here we are, standing in front of this incredibly historically important statue of Chopin, and we're taking pictures of the squirrels. Apparently Polish squirrels come in the red and black varieties. We walked around the Old Town a little bit - very neat, and just had a cool feeling about it. It reminded me a lot of Bremen, actually. We also went to the museum for the Warsaw Uprising of 1944, which was really fascinating, although you'd need practically an entire day to see everything in there properly. Our Warsaw guide also took us to his parents' house to show us a 20 minute documentary - it was slightly odd to just be sitting in their living room like that, but it turns out that his aunt hid 3 Jews and the one guy's Gentile fiancee in that house during the Ghetto Uprising. For me that had a lot of significance, so that was really neat to find out.
Anywho, I shall leave off here . . . tonight we're eating somewhere in the Old Town and then Chels and I are going to explore Nowy Swiata Street 'cause it's really pretty and we just drove through it today. Take care, all.
Kate
Today we did a tour of Warsaw and picked up a second guide, one who just does Warsaw, especially for this. It was really weird doing it by bus, though, since I've only ever walked cities. It was so odd to be looking at stuff just going by in a bus. I really do think that the only way to really see a city is by walking it, but we do have a limited amount of time and we did get to see more stuff this way. It's just so great to be walking around these quaint, beautiful streets. This morning we saw Lazienki Part which was lovely. They have peacocks just roaming around, and a few of them did the complete tailfeather display for us, which was very cool. We also saw giant red squirrels with huge ears - here we are, standing in front of this incredibly historically important statue of Chopin, and we're taking pictures of the squirrels. Apparently Polish squirrels come in the red and black varieties. We walked around the Old Town a little bit - very neat, and just had a cool feeling about it. It reminded me a lot of Bremen, actually. We also went to the museum for the Warsaw Uprising of 1944, which was really fascinating, although you'd need practically an entire day to see everything in there properly. Our Warsaw guide also took us to his parents' house to show us a 20 minute documentary - it was slightly odd to just be sitting in their living room like that, but it turns out that his aunt hid 3 Jews and the one guy's Gentile fiancee in that house during the Ghetto Uprising. For me that had a lot of significance, so that was really neat to find out.
Anywho, I shall leave off here . . . tonight we're eating somewhere in the Old Town and then Chels and I are going to explore Nowy Swiata Street 'cause it's really pretty and we just drove through it today. Take care, all.
Kate
So far...
So, I did not get much sleep last night. I felt exhausted when I went to bed, but then I woke up around 3AM our time. And now, at 6 AM I am just beginning to feel tired again. Oh yes, I see great coffee in my future.
Lets see, what else is there to say about this trip so far? Jeremy had good points about the planes, it was a pretty smooth ride here, at least as far as I assume, I personally am afraid of heights, and was able to settle in pretty comfortably on the big plane, so that was dandy.
Okay, so that is pretty much all for now. Except this awesome picture from our hotel window that I told my Dad I would post. It is of the Palace of Culture and Science. From what I hear it is known by a totally different name here, but i am going to go ahead and make the executive decision that such a name is not appropriate for an EC Blog :)
My tummy is growling...
Kristin
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