16 years which shaked my country and my life
by matcrazy1
The fact that I could afford and pay myself for a 5-star hotel in Warsaw in January, 2006 is for me a symbol of unbelievable changes for better for me and generally for my country during the last 16 years (since 1990).
Le Royal Meridien Hotel in Warsaw reminds me Carlton Hotel (open my next picture) along upclass La Croisette boulevard in Cannes, France I saw in 1994 and can't forget. To stay at such hotel seemed absolutely impossible for me in 1994, that tume, later and ever. In Monte Carlo we saw luxury limousines picking up "rich and famous" to the Grand Casino and costumed boys opening doors for them. We thought that time that it's much better world which would never come to us or something like this. And in Warsaw 12 years later the boys opened doors for me haha. Unbelievable!
Keep in mind that by 1990 average Pole earned some 50 (fifty, not five!) times less than, average citizen of, say France or Germany. Thus buying even a small bottle of Coca-Cola in the West was a financial problem as it cost one day work in Poland. So, we traveled to the West to work (illegally) not for pleasure, mostly by funny, small, old-fashioned Eastern European cars full of... food and drinks onboard. The money earned hard (in my case in Greece and Italy) was spent for my next, much better (Japanese) car and first travels to the West for leisure. But anyway, with a short budget we didn't spend money for any hotels in 1994, we slept on a beach or in a car, we even liked it and enjoyed the trip a lot haha. But we surely dreamed about travelling in more "civilized" way, similar to our western friends... sleeping in cheap hostels, eating in cheap restaurants etc. etc. Very soon later those dreams came true.
Well, the last 10-15 years really totally changed my life and my country for better. It's still difficult to believe. But now it is more and more difficult to believe that we could travel and live in such uncomfortable conditions in not so old past.
You absolutely must see Palac...
by pattyx
You absolutely must see Palac in town of Wilanow. It has a baroque style, and is very beutiful. The town is only a few kilometers from Warsaw and it's easily accessible by bus. It's a popular museum right now so you shouldn't have any problems finding it. Also, there is a wonderful park in the heart of the city called 'Lazienki' it has a more romantic look with relaxing lake and a lovely, small palace.It's a popular spot for a first date. I had an incredible experience in the market square of the city when an old painter gave me his nicest painting, and wanted nothing for it only a smile.
The Warsaw Mermaid Statue in the Old Town Square
by Cool-123
In the summer the Square is crowded with beautiful cafes where you can sit under the parasols. Painter's ateliers and spendid tenements in which you can find exclusive restaurants, clubs and some galleries or museums surround the Square. At this place you can hire a horse drawn carriage and have a short trip around the Old Town.
The day
by matcrazy1
In OKidoki hostel we met the rest of the VT-caravan, had some beers and first nice and amusing talks. Brad, surely was continuing hugging Urszula :-).
A few days before I made a reservation for the folks and us in Le Meridien Bristol hotel getting a large discount but check in was at 2 pm. So, we decided to wait and walk to the nearby hotel on time. At the hotel we met Ali (sachara) who had just come from Emmen, the Netherlands. Brad picked up Agnieszka (Aggie_K) from the Central Railway Station and despite unbelievable cold weather as for Warsaw (some - 20 C) we all together took a longer walk to Domowy Okruszek.
Well, this place offered some probably very good home-made Polish food but was too small for us all (a few micro tables) and they didn't offer any beer haha. So, we decided to look for something better for us close by. Someone discovered Turkish bar/restaurant at Bracka Street but we wanted a Polish one. Some of us used its toilet/restroom only (for free :-). We followed the suggestion of young woman (more expensive food but not bad) we met while walking and ended up in Batida restaurant right around the corner. We had some good and bad meals there and surely beer :-). But first of all we had next both amusing and interesting talks.
Urszula, my wife, who started to learn English in October, could speak slowly and practice her English with Ali (sachara). Wow, she was very happy to be able to communicate in English :-) and thankful to Ali for her patience haha. Well, we both, were lucky to meet Ali before, during the first official European VT-meeting in Valeggio sul Mincio, Italy in May 2005 and we liked her a lot.
See some Great Tributes to the Great & Good
by scottishvisitor
. Stefan Wyszynski was born in Poland in 1901. He became Bishop of Warsaw on 12th. November 1948. He was latter imprisoned by the Communist Regime from 1953 to 1956. Stefan Wyszynski died on 28th. May 1981 and is buried in the Metropolitan Cathedral Warsaw. Given his long life through very turbulant times in Poland he must have witnessed and endured a lot for the love of his Church.
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In the shadow of Popieluszko
Wilanow Palace
Cool Bars to Drink
Monument to the World War II Warsaw uprising
