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Tags: Pictures, Poland

Poland

August 26th, 2004, by Rich.

Poland

I (we) visited Poland last week and must confess that I knew nothing about the place before I went, apart from the fact that it’s just become an EU member, which meant there were no visas needed.

Warsaw

The first three nights were in Warsaw, an interesting place where you can get some very nice food and beer, however, due to repeated bombing and shelling in WW2 there’s not much of a historical nature to see. In terms of the atmosphere and facilities Warsaw is much like London, only smaller.

Em, up the top of the tallest building in Poland.Looking west to our hotel.Rich stands quite close to The President's residence.Rich & Em near The Royal Palace.The Barbikan.Near he main square.Em in the BarbikanEm in the BarbikanA street. This is widely considered to be the nicest street in Warsaw. The fact that such a thing has even been discussed may lead you to think that most of the rest of the streets are quite lacklustre, but in fact, many are similar to this.Em & Rich in WarsawThe University is a strange place.The University roof is open to the public.The University Buy your Komputer's here.Missiles.Missiles.Soyuz return capsule.Soyuz return capsule.Soyuz return capsule.Beer is called Piwo, pronounced Pee-vo. This beer is Zyviec (pronounced Jur-vee-ets - the Z is the same sound as the s in Leisure).We had nice food in Warsaw.After the Nazi´s razed the Warsaw ghetto, and most of the rest of Warsaw, very few original buiding survived. This is the only street to remain intact.After the Nazi´s razed the Warsaw ghetto, and most of the rest of Warsaw, very few original buiding survived. This is the only street to remain intact.

Krakow

The second four nights were spent in Krakow, a total shift to real old-time Poland. but the price of this originality is the tourist factor. Where warsaw was full of urban chic and locals living the life, Krakow is brimming with non-locals.

That said, it was just outside Krakow that we saw a farmer ploughing his field with only a horse and a wooden plough, so although you get the tourist tat, you’re closer to the real Poland.
The Hotel Pollera - our room, top right.Rich on Wawel HillEm on Wawel Hill.Rich & Em in the royal CourtyardAlef - Jewish restaurant in the Kazimierch district - lovely food.The WawelEm and The Wawel, from the viewpoint of a river cruise.Rich & Em in Krakow square.Salt Cathederal - this is waaay underground in the salt mines.The crystals in this chandalier are made of salt.Lena, Mike, Emma, Rich & DrewEm in Krakow airport.

Oświęcim / Auschwitz

We also visited three sites related to The Holocaust. Those pictures are available separately here.

We also took a car over to Auschwitz (about two hours from Krakow). If you think you can handle it, or if you’re unsure, go; and pay for the guide. The tour takes around 3-4 hours and is very, very, well presented - it appropriately covers the timeline of the camps, how the purpose of the camps changed over time, and importantly, what the evidence is to support the assertions of mass murder. I cannot quite comprehend what I saw, and I dont’ think I ever can take it all in fully.

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