Belated New year

This is what happens when the hotel you are in can't provide a reliable internet service! You end up being days late in blogging!

We went to Poznan for the last 5 days and had a ball! It is a lovely city and we saw heaps of things. Heartfelt thanks to Agnieska for being the best tourist guide Poznan ever had! We saw the city at night, had fantastic food as ever, and enjoyed all the history again.

New Year's Eve is taken seriously here. Heaps of fireworks on sale and cheeky kids letting them off in alleys and the square! As that day went on we began to think we were in a mini war zone with all the loud explosions - quite took us back to our days in Germany! It was a pleasure to be in a place that didn't nanny people -they are still allowed to be responsible for their own actions here - hurrah!!

The noise reached an amazing crescendo as midnight arrived and the whole city was lit up with the light. Brilliant. Meanwhile we were lulled to sleep by the crashes and shouts of local revellers.


January 1st 2007

On New Year's Day we walked to the Citadel. This is a park, once an old military area, which was totally occupied by the German army in WW2, and the whole area is covered with tunnels, bunkers and old militray 'stuff'. It is now a wonderful park with heaps of paths and lots to see, including a Commonwealth cemetery. We walked around it for ages.

One or two restaurants were open so we had obiad and then went back to the hotel to shower and get ready to go out. Our last night in Poland! Very sad but in the end it was wonderful. We had been invited to A's apartment and we had the best 'last night of the hols' possible. And somehow we managed to have a touch too much wodka - well....... it was purely to drown our sorrows at leaving!

Finally....the 2nd January 2007 and off we went on the fast express train to Warsaw and then to the airport and off.........................

Next and last blog will give you a summary of travel tips and comments; and more pics since the program won't let me do that this time.

... the saga continues...

So, who thought that Christmas was only one day? Come on, own up! Well, kiddies -here in Poland with my family it seems to have lasted from 24/12 - 27/12! We have eaten, drunk, talked, laughed, and generally had the best Christmas we could ever have.

Our latest adventure took us east from Lodz to stay overnight with Monika and Jacek and their two daughters. The roads were fairly empty and we only made one error - we set off west instead of east! Luckily, one SMS later we did a U-turn and were heading in the right direction. Thanks to Jacek and my trusty mapa!

We first met Jacek and Monika last year and were very pleased to see them again as they live in a little village, which in English terms might be said to have 'charm'. Godzianow lies fairly close to Lodz (see map) and it was lovely to get out of the city again and into the countryside.

http://mapa.szukacz.pl/?x=552022&y=437118&m=Brzeziny&w=%b3%f3dzkie&p=brzezi%f1ski&g=Brzeziny&z=3

Despite the freezing weather (and it is getting colder) we had a wonderful obiad, and just imbibed far too much wodka - as usual - and excellent food of course. All the young disappeared and left us to it so we put the world to right and finally fell into bed sometime after midnight.

I was wakened by two things - first the cat wanted in and then I heard that lovely country sound - crowing of cockerels! Breakfast was rather leisurely and we then had a lovely walk around the village and through fields.

Weather report - VERY cold, iced-up puddles, perfect for stomping in! Cold enough to freeze chins and noses. Excellent! Unfortunately we had to get back to Lodz to hand in our hire=car so we left our friends and headed back.

All in all this has been another excellent block. First in Krakow and now in Lodz. And tomorrow we head of again to Poznan to be tourists. Again we have a friend there - Agnieska - who has very kindly offered to meet us tomorrow night and show us Poznan Rynek at night. Fantastic'ne!!

My Poznan report will follow in a couple of days. For those of you who are reading this don't forget that comments are welcome, as are questions! And still NO SNOW!!!!

The Unfamous Five spend Christmas with family.

Not sure what happened to the last 4 days really. We seem to have been incredibly busy and then we had wigilia and Christmas Day, so here's an attempted update on all our activities.

On the 23rd we spent a rather dull time on a train from Krakow to Lodz. We had been looking forward to the travel 'cos we love train travel. But... the best aid plans. I think the train was on a pre Christmas go-slow! The trip should have taken about 4 hours, from 07.43 (such precision!) to 12.08 (ditto). Yes, we had the train which went slower and slower then stopped in the middle of fields and finally was over an hour late due to a broken rail. Ironically this was just outside Lodz! In addition there was NO buffet car or even a trolley so if David hadn't made some sandwiches then we would have been forced into cannibalism!

Anyway we finally got off the train and staggered under the weight of cases, bags and accumulated junk to the taxi rank. [There is a law which states "All luggage taken on holiday will, by its own method expand by at least 50% for each day travelled" The second law states "People called Chris will collect souvenirs such as tickets and these will occupy a disproportionate amount of space in luggage"]

Thanks to Andzrej and Kasia for coming to meet us! It was great to see them and in addition it helped immensely and we got into our hotel 'Qubus" with much less effort then we anticipated.

Travellers' note: the hotel is split new with very comfortable rooms - but is mainly for single businessmen. However, it is only 10 minutes walk from Galeria and from ul. Piotrowska, a very attractive street to walk along.

Lodz itself is not an attractive city but with investment has promise (NO! I'm not an estate agent!!) For more info see the website. Anyway, we had a wander, did some shopping and then finally found a decent restaurant in which to indulge our hunger!

http://www.uml.lodz.pl/wersja_angielska/indeksik.php3

So, we come to wigilia!!!! 24/12. WE started our day very slowly and since all shops were shut here a[art from Galeria, we simply strolled along. After a snack we went back to the hotel to wrap presents, and then got organised for the evening.

Our warm thanks to Agnieska and Ludek (sorry if that's wrong!!!) for the best ever wigilia! Sitting around the table there were 11 of us. I had been brought up with the custom of laying the extra place at the table in case someone came - in fact my father told me it was also to represent the Christ Child - and there it was.

We had the traditional 12 dishes which were just amazing. I'm not sure which I liked best - too difficult. We had not eaten Karp before and it is actually very tasty - but beware the bones!! Cakes with poppy seeds, herrings, pierogi, the tastiest mushrooms from the fields, fruit compote from home grown fruit at the family farm.... and lovely biscuits baked by Agatka (aged 7).
Overall our hosts could not have done more to make us welcome - there's no doubt that this is a time for family and mine is amazing.

But wait! What was that? Did we hear bells ringing? Sleigh bells? Wow! Mikolaj! Santa Claus!! He does exist! Santa came and delivered presents to all of us. Now that was something we were not expecting. I'll even forgive him for trying to give away my gloves which had somehow ended up in his sack!! After all, he has a very busy and tiring time on wigilia.

After a wonderful evening we went to Andrzej and Czesia's house for a drink. There we had a hilarious time with our beginner Polish - but ay least this year we do have some language! And A. very kindly drew a map for us to get to Uniejow for Christmas Day.

And so to bed at about 01.00!

Christmas Day....

WE had to be at the cemetery for 10.30 so it was a rather early start! The roads were empty and our hire car, Opel went smoothly. We visited the family graves to show the boys another part of their heritage. It is very important that they see where they come from.

But after that it was on to Zosia's house for obiad (11.30). It was wonderful to see Zosia and family again and we managed to understand so much more of what was said this year. Our thanks also to Anja who came to act as interpreter. Just like last year, my cousin Zosia and all her family offered us the most amazing dishes, including home made hams and kielbasa form the family pigs and chicken and ...and.... And the wodka simply flowed................. Markus, Will and Alisa were welcomed and Alisa was able to use her Russian skills just like wigilia. Then obiad simply flowed into kolatsja, so more food and drink.

The lads were invited to a party by the men of the house (ahem!) but we had to move on as we wanted to see my late cousin Bogdan's family. So at about 5.30pm we were off to Krystyna's house where we met Adam, Eva, Amelia; and Anna,as well renewing acquaintance with Agnieska (diff. one) and her parents. It was sad that Bogdan was not with us but he was there in spirit. We have been offered the chance to spend time staying in the village to earn Polish so who knows....

But we were not finished at all. We still had one place to go - to Wojtek's family. It as not about 7.30pm. Another short drive and we had no chance of leaving without eating some of Wojtek's home made kielbasa - simple delicious. Woolies and Coles - eat your heart out! By this time we were simply full to the brim but could not resist just a smackeral as Winnie the Pooh might say. So much food and so little time!! Wojtek has 3 daughters - my sincere apologies for no names here!! All speak excellent English and a fair to large bit of Russian. What a wonderful ending to the day.

So when did we get back to the hotel? Well, about 11.00pm! What an amazing day! No pics as yet but hope to get some on here soon!

It's not possible to thank my family enough as words cannot explain our gratitude. The best present this year has been just to be with all my family- something that we will never forget.

"Bardzo dzenkuje".

Auschwitz I and II

This is a long day but well worth the travel. We walked to the bus station, which like most in Poland is right beside/under the main railway station. We caught the 08.40 bus to Osweciem -7 zlotych each and then sat back for the next hour and a half. Eventually we were let off about 100 meters fr0m the camp.

Auschwitz I was originally a Polish barracks which was taken over by the Germans. There are many things to see and it is NOT for the faint hearted. You really do see the suitcases, spectacles, clothing, brushes, and hair. Although we had been there last year we still found it all extremely thought provoking. You can also see punishment cells, the execution wall and there are many pictures and descriptions of the horrors that took place.

We needed a break before going to Auschwitz II-Birkenau, so we had some lunch and then caught a taxi driven by a crazy man. He told us stories about living and working in the area during the war. Birkenau was the liquidation camp where thousands were shot or gassed. The camp was huge and we took over an hour to walk around. Although most of the barracks were destroyed as they were wooden, the brick ones remain and are being preserved. The gas chambers and crematoria were badly damaged in an attempt to blow them up but you can see the layout. Unless you are a person of absolutely no sensitivity you cannot help but feel repulsion for what was done there.

Our taxi driver met us at his church which was the Commandants HQ and drove us to the station. We just made the 3.45 train which was obviously on a go-slow as it took us 2 hours to get back!!

Our time in Krakow is nearly over - we've one day left so will take snaps and do some Christmas shopping. On Saturday we go to Lodz to spend wigilia with my family and then do the rounds of the cousins, which will be great as this time we just might be able to speak in sentences - unlike last year!!

where does time go?

Well, it's Tuesday evening and I am wondering where time has gone. We have finished school and can honestly say that we had a brilliant time. Our last lesson with our second teacher was such a lot of fun and we are now determined to keep up the good work. With this in mind I have been able albeit with mistakes to 'chat' or czat to one of my cousins. This is something I could not do a year ago.

We now have much more confidence in regular situations and the majority of people are very helpful. They smile and then ask simple questions where needed. However, what else has happened?

Well, our elder son and his girlfriend arrived on Tuesday morning after something of a mega-journey from Korea. They were to join us in our apartment (No 2) but Jerzy, owner of the set has given us a separate apartment for them ------- FREE OF CHARGE!!!!!! Obviously we recommend him! http://www.sodispar.pl/en/prices.html (we are now in 'Dublin')

Yesterday after our last class we went to see the 1939-1945 Museum. This included the detention cells that the Gestapo used for interrogation and torture, as well as a permanent exhibition of pictures, documents and explanations of the general government under Hans Frank. Whilst it is not a 'touristy' experience it is worth seeing if you are at all interested in history. An added plus is that all cases and posters have very clear English language explanations.

Today we went to Wieliczka Salt Mine. Although we had visited a year ago we really enjoyed it a second time and saw things we missed first time around. We went on an organised tour which we don't normally do but this was just fine for convenience.

As you can see, St Kinga's Chapel is quite amazing - no picture can do it justice. Everything is mad from salt -the floor, ceiling, walls, ALL carvings etc etc. And at this time of year the local children enter a competition to make the best Nativity scene. There are some wonderful entries and of course going through all the passages was very interesting as you can lick the floor or walls or ceiling if you so choose.

Personally I stick to a cup of disgusting Nescafe afterwards in the cafe - 400 meters underground!

There are so many figures both religious and secular. Pope John Paul II as well as Josef Pilsudski and all the saints bit especially St Barbara, patron saint of miners. Highly recommended. Even the trips down and up - steps and lift are fun. It's over 800 steps down then a lift trip of 40 seconds up at the end!! Yahoo!

Tomorrow we turn to a more serious time in Poland and the world's history. We are going to Oswiecim -a little village which became better known for a barracks which was a Polish Army Barracks until the Germans turned it into Auschwitz I and Auschwitz II Birkenau. We were there last year but go again to take our sons and girlfriend. This is no joyride. We know. However, many Poles, Gypsies, political and religious persons and Jews were murdered there and frankly, no visit to Poland especially the south, is made without going to this place. Report follows. Till then, if you are interested look here:

http://www.auschwitz.org.pl/new/index.php?language=EN&tryb=stale&id=445#2