Showing posts with label Poland. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Poland. Show all posts
Sunday, January 2, 2011
11:48 PM | 
Posted by
Ryś |
Shots from morning's walk to the Warsaw Uprising Museum. It's not a secret that I am not a fan of museums, about my "love" to Warsaw I wrote many times... But this one was, is and will be very special place for me. Amen. And Happy New Year! ;)
Saturday, April 10, 2010
"Oszczędźmy słów, niech pozostanie wielkie milczenie." - Jan Paweł IIThe catastrophy in Smolensk, Russia has paralised not only the Polish nation, but also astonished people around the World. I would like to thank all my friends who wrote good words during this hard time. The old Polish proverb says, that the real friends can known in trouble - your support has proven, that Poland and Poles can rely on their friends.
World media about the catastrophe: link
Za: salon24.plWorld media about the catastrophe: link
Wrocławski Marsz Katyński
Uczcijmy pamięć ofiar Zbrodni Katyńskiej oraz sobotniej tragedii.
Przyjdźmy na Wrocławski Marsz KATYŃSKI, by oddać hołd. Weźmy ze sobą minimum po dwa znicze.
Zbiórka we wtorek 13 kwietnia, godz. 17:45, wyruszamy o godz. 18.00 – Plac Grunwaldzki (Rondo Reagana) pod Pasażem Grunwaldzkim.
Przejście ulicami:
Przyjdźmy na Wrocławski Marsz KATYŃSKI, by oddać hołd. Weźmy ze sobą minimum po dwa znicze.
Zbiórka we wtorek 13 kwietnia, godz. 17:45, wyruszamy o godz. 18.00 – Plac Grunwaldzki (Rondo Reagana) pod Pasażem Grunwaldzkim.
Przejście ulicami:
Oś Placu Grunwaldzkiego, Most Grunwaldzki, koło Pomnika Katyńskiego w Parku Słowackiego (zapalamy znicze), ul. Oławska, ul. Kazimierza Wielkiego, ul. Świdnicka i Rynek.
Wrocławianie
Wrocławianie
_________________________________________________________________________
Wroclaw March for Katyn
Let's commemorate the victims of Katyń massacre and the deceased in Saturday's tragedy in Smolensk.
Come to Wroclaw March for KATYN, to honour them. Take at least two candles.
Gathering on Tuesday, April 13, at 5:45 PM, start at 6 PM - Plac Grunwaldzki - Rondo Reagana (Grunwaldzki Square) by the Pasaż Grunwaldzki.
March on the streets: Grunwaldzki Square, Grunwaldzki Bridge, Katyń memorial (Park of Słowacki near the Panorama Racławicka), Oławska, Kazimierza Wielkiego and Rynek
Saturday, November 7, 2009
Polish Radio EURO published the video highlights of the broadcast in which I had honour to participate. It was a great pleasure for me to join Justyna Majchrzak in the studio and to be her guest. I really encourage you all - not only the Polish listeners - to listen to PR EURO, where also foreigners can find from time to time few words in their mother-language :)
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Sunday, November 1, 2009
Over 30 Celsius degrees temperature, 100 % of moistness, almost zero visibility and permanent feeling, that something big is hanging over my head. Where have I recently been? Some equatorial jungle or maybe some sand-mud storm in Asia? None of them. This time my journey had very scientific overtone and was connected to my studies.
Many ask, what I am actually studying and when they hear - "geoengineering", they either try to nod with misunderstanding or congratulate me, assuring, that there will be always need of surveyors in geodesy. Actually the second try is more less accurate, because geoengineers or rather geotechnical engineers have to cooperate quite well with surveyors, however it is still far away from the right job, which I would be able to do after studies.
Geotechnicians are simply responsible for the field studies of rocks and soils, their movements and stability. Every time when you drive your car on motorways, in the tunnels or above the cliff, you can drive calmly unless it was checked by wrong person. However sometimes geotechnicians have to go underground, to the mines and caverns to find out and eventually solve the static problems, which can be hazardous for miners. So do we from time to time with various groups at university.
Last time – thanks to the invitation of the Hard Coal Mine "Piast" – we have gone down to one of the most interesting mines in Poland. You can ask, what can be interesting in that? For majority of people mine is associated with “Triple D” – dirt, dust and darkness. But to be fair, that is just a drop in the ocean of things, occurrences and effects appearing in miners’ working environment.
I must confess, that miners are probably the strongest people, I have ever met. Not only with their physical strength - all the time they have to carry heavy “escaping equipment”, which in case of danger should provide oxygen and save their lives – adding to that high temperatures, moisture and fumes coming from diesel machines – makes the environment very hard and tough. Puny wouldn’t manage to stay there 8 hours to say nothing of working and operating heavy machines. We were just walking about 6 kilometres in the mine for 3 hours and really some of us had enough of this. You have to know, that galleries, leading to the so-called “long wall” are one of the most unpleasant places where man can be. Only all the time changing airflows, moisture, uneven floor, deep ponds and darkness could be difficult for somebody but it gives just a foretaste of what is to come.
Usually in such conditions, man becomes tired and muddle-headed, but they can’t take the liberty of doing that. All the time they must pay very high attention to everything what they do and what happens around them. Small mistake or minute without thinking can end up tragically.
Miners show no fear underground, work hard and confident, but when you meet them after shift in some pub, few beers can sometimes stir up and release their emotions. Every morning when they meet in the elevator, which with speed of 6 m/s takes them underground, you can hear around very characteristic “Szczęść Boże” (God, give us luck). Miners are conscious, that every time when go down, they can die, but 99% of success is in their hands. They have to rely on their workmates, take responsibility not only for their own movements, but also for the others. There is no competition, who will work faster or more efficient, because the most important is safety. Therefore you can feel very strong bond between colleagues from shift, they have big respect to each other and they know that in case of any fatality their families won’t stay alone. And although for people who go there for the very first time, the enormous number of vulgarisms can disheartening – really sometimes the rain of swears and curses can bring you to the knees – miners are good friends, just in some unique way.
Monday, July 20, 2009
Going around Poland, in 3 days is an extraordinary, fabulous, astonishing piece of... crap. Yes, yes I admit that. If you have 3-days weekend and you want to spend it off, don't follow my route this time. I mean it is extremely boring. And if some of you would think "didn't I say that?", my answer is: "you don't have a bloody idea what does it mean boring". You have to try it on your own to get to know that it is one of the most boring countries I've ever been. And although some people at my house, which apparently are called my family, say that I am spreading defetism, I won't change my mind. Going around Poland in 3 days is useless.
For those who are not familliar with geography of Europe I must explain something about the country where I was born. It covers area more less simillar to Spain and is extremely... flat. Whoa! And what about famous "Polish Alps"? I didn't see any. The train to Zakopane crosses 140 km in 4 hours! It means that I would have to spend whole day to go there, eat their stinky cheese and come back to Cracow, because further on South is just the Slovan country of KIA.
This trip was supposed to take place to show you the real, unknown face of Poland. But I have to be honest - if You want to travel around Poland - ok, go. But if you would like to have fun at the same time, then just go to certain places. That is why I created a list of activities to do. And if You want to:
Have fun...
Go to Wroclaw!
Have more fun...
Go to Wroclaw!
Have a great time...
Go to WROCLAW!
All right there are some other places worth to see in Poland and if You really have nothing to do on summer, just go around them.
Cracow
The perfect city for the morning activities. Wherever you go, the coffee and cracknels (called Obwarzanki) taste the same. What's interesting, Cracow, which for ages has been counted as the biggest city of intellectuals in this part of Europe is the most posh city at the same time. And it appears in quite odd way. The snobbery stands for... being from Cracow. And if you are wearing loosefitting cardigan or sweater, glasses in thick frames, carry books or suitcase infraaxillary and edgily look for cigarettes then defenitely, at least your great-great grandmother had to have romance with some soldier from that city.
However Cracow seems to be great place to live and apart from Wroclaw and Trojmiasto (which I will go further), that is the only one city where you can really party till the break of day and safely go back home. But to not pay the price of being too Cracovian, be careful with showing your likeness to the local football clubs - it's easy to get "injured" if You show off the "colours" of a wrong team.
Lublin
Next on my route was Lublin. But to get there I had to take bus and range the most boring region of whole country. Honestly, I know just one so unattractive place in Europe. They call it Lithuania. You are crossing hundreds of kilometeres and see just fields or forrests... unbelievable sight! Lublin itself is very neglected therby colourful. Entering the Old Town You can quickly notice big heritage and the international influences which keep going also today. Surprisingly, I found the town quite charming. But it was not enough to keep me there for longer. Hence Lublin is not worth going there, unless you are a farmer, admiring the scenery of corn-fields.
Warsaw
Some say, that Warsaw is tolerable only by night, because then you can hardly see its ugliness. Tolerable is too big word actually, anyhow at least by night it is not that much eyecatching. I met in Warsaw with Cajbel, who became my guide in this "most-western Asian city". I am sorry , but I won't surprise you, in my words you will not find anything new. The capital is literaly bumpkinly. There is no style and it seems, that people who come there (still it is hard to find real Warsaw-man) do everything just for show. The night life is concentrated around few clubs, which bring nothing new to the city's atmoshpere. And what is the worst, there is no hope for Warsaw, what makes the capital, unwated but compulsory stop during journeys across Poland.
Some say, that Warsaw is tolerable only by night, because then you can hardly see its ugliness. Tolerable is too big word actually, anyhow at least by night it is not that much eyecatching. I met in Warsaw with Cajbel, who became my guide in this "most-western Asian city". I am sorry , but I won't surprise you, in my words you will not find anything new. The capital is literaly bumpkinly. There is no style and it seems, that people who come there (still it is hard to find real Warsaw-man) do everything just for show. The night life is concentrated around few clubs, which bring nothing new to the city's atmoshpere. And what is the worst, there is no hope for Warsaw, what makes the capital, unwated but compulsory stop during journeys across Poland.
Toruń
The city well known as the place of life of Nicolas Copernicus (Mikołaj Kopernik), yes yes... he was Pole. And like this I could finish the description of that town. I went there because I thought I would get some inspiration, as the famous astronomist got, but nothing. The Earth will be still going around Sun and nothing seems to be changed in this matter. At least I didn't discover anything yet. However Torun - rich with very "German" Old Town is famous with one more hero. The controversial priest, who has built there his own media centre - radio, press, tv with mobile network ending (so far) - can be proud with 4 mln audience. What is not that noticable on the streets.
Trójmiasto (Tri-city)
Gdańsk
There are 3 cities in Poland, where I could live. Wroclaw, Cracow and Gdansk. And it is not only because they are beautiful, you just feel that in these cities, you will feel like at home. And they all are living cities, although with Gdansk things look a bit different. Crowds of tourists, millions of ambers and dozens of artists performing on the streets. That is the Old Town. Streets coming from the harbour to the main Street "Dlugi Targ" seem to look as hundreds years ago. And as few centuries in the past, they are very international. I think, the proportions of foreign and domestic tourists are equal. But what does it mean domestic in the city which for some time has been a separate republic? Gdansk is very special. Not by accident, in this city communism has been - the first time in Europe - overthrown and also before - here started the 2nd World War. Germans knew very well, where to hit, to knock Poland cold. But coming back to kem, wrong is the person, who thinks, that as in Wroclaw or Cracow, Gdansk has its nightlife. Pubs are open till late, but at 9-10 pm all the party life moves to Sopot. 
Sopot
The favourite town of Adolf Hitler, efervesces in Summer. All the hotels, apartments and private rooms are booked with 3 months of notice. Not only because of the beautiful beach and monumental mole (where by the way everyone is flirting with newly met "summer loves", and whereabout many people have began their prenatal lives), but mainly by reason of 3 big festivals taking place in the Forest Opera. In the past there was just one - international pop music festival. Nowadays all the big tv-networks decided to have their very own and very one of kind festivals. And as result every year, the same artists performs the same songs in front of the same audience, three times during summer and as you can conclude, it must be very exceptional experience. There is however very one and very special event taking place in Tricity on Summer. It's called Heineken Open'er Festival and by many people from all the world it is higher rated than Glastonbury.
To not to bore with praises to Tri-city just one last notice. In that region lives minority of Kaszubians. It's widely spread among Pomeranian Voivodeship and interestingly, quite popular. To Kaszubian origins claim among the others - Polish Prime Minister - Donald Tusk, or Nobel-prize winning German - Gunter Grass.
Szczecin
Unfortunatelly I came to Szczecin one week after the Tall Ship Races event. City changes then unrecognizable. But everyday's Szczecin, although a harbour, seems to be very quiet and polite. Again I must use this term - the city is very "German". I got to know Szczecin from academic point of view. Surprisingly many intellectuals from wide range of science settled there down and perhaps that is the main reason, why Szczecin is hosting the best high school in whole country. To not to get bored with noisy city, I reccomend to go for a cruise to the most Northern-West town in Poland - Swinoujscie where apart from the beach, you can see the dead U-boots basin.
Sleeps in the night. Nothing to tell. During the day festivals, concerts, etc. But time was running, hence I couldn't enjoy.
But to not to throw down your arms, there is a solution for a summer trip in Poland. Just get to Cracow, take the soonest bus to Zakopane, enjoy the majestic sight of Polish mountains and crowds on the routes. Next, when you get bored with sheep's cheese (thank's God there is the E.U., which told shephards the proper way of doing that, while for ages their fore fathers were apparently producing Oscypki badly...) take the "cinema train" to Sopot, watch for the upteenth time Juno and go to the seaside, where Polish youth won't let you fall asleep easily.
Mazury
The other solution can be Mazurian Lake region - this time I skipped it on purpose, because honestly crossing that region I wouldn't be able to hurry. You can not just pass by Mazury. This is one of the very few regions in Europe, where you can chill out. I am going to write about Mazury an individual article, so be patient.
The other solution can be Mazurian Lake region - this time I skipped it on purpose, because honestly crossing that region I wouldn't be able to hurry. You can not just pass by Mazury. This is one of the very few regions in Europe, where you can chill out. I am going to write about Mazury an individual article, so be patient.
An in the very end one more notice - in Poland there are really working mobile sweat boxes! They call them public transport and let you feel massive discomfort when it's summer. And to be clear. It's not a complain, it's an observation.
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Thursday, July 9, 2009
Dear readers!The ticket is bought, the rough routes choosen, just packing and booking hostels left. Suddenly appeared a problem, because there was a ground slide on the rail track which apparently I was going to take, so small changes had to be introduced. And if we are about changes, then Torun - the Copernicus city has been eliminated, because of lack of convinient connection. Actually it's still not sure which way I will take on first night - East or Northern-West. Just follow the blog and everything will clear up ;)
UPDATE! 2009-07-10, 20:31
It is decided, at 1:40am I am leaving to Cracow, where train should arrive about 7am. From Cracow around 12 I am leaving to Lublin and after couple of hours to Warsaw, where I am going to meet with "C.". Next in the morning - either Bialystok or straight to Torun- yes, yes that's still an option. Everything depends on our night-life in the capital of that country between Western Bug river and Odra river.
to be continued...
Saturday, June 20, 2009
Wroclaw is a living city - who was here, can just confirm that. Rynek's townhouses are pulsating for 24 hours a day with beats from the parties. But what happens in Wroclaw, when comes the day of the city? That's what you have to undergo on your own! And such opportunity has just appeared. Since 17th June untill 28th the city will be living with double force. And the culminating point of whole holiday will come on 24th June, the day of Wroclaw!
The exhibitions, open doors, the Night of Theatres, St John's night, Viva Wroclaw! - these are just few events of dozens which this year are waiting for those, who will celebrate the Festival with us! The detailed schedule of the events is available here: wroclaw.pl
WrocLoveFest
Ojos de Brujo, Psio Crew, Natural Dread Killaz, Micromusic and Oszibarack - they all are going to perform on the Wroc Love Fest which will take place on 27th June 2009, on the Slodowa Island. Find out more at: wrockfest.pl/
Fountain
The newest child of Wroclaw is gonna to charm you with new special shows, prepared just for the Wroclaw Festival. A pinch of that you can watch on youtube.
In addition I have a duty to announce that on 1st June started broadcasting the new radio - radio Wroclove. All the auditions are practiced in English, hence all the more you should check it out! radiowroclove.com
LET'S MEET IN WROCLOVE!
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
As I promised in the last post, I am going to follow by Sir Phileas Fogg and Michael Palin and go around... no, not around the World this time. I am going to travel around - and this should be surprising for majority of readers - around Poland. That's nothing special actually, unless we know, that after the example of those two great travellers, I am going to complete my journey in 3 days and nights.
Actually it's the first part of project which I am going to realize in the following 2 years and travel around Poland, Baltic States, Scandinavia, Moravia, Hungary and Romania and in the end Balkans. But that will come with time and money ;)
Where? Evidently you do not share this honour to live in Poland, hence all the more I am going to show the main cities of Poland to you and illustrate the articles with the most typical for Poles, but not that obvious and perceptile attitudes of all cities/regions.
When I am going to leave? Good question. Apparently just after the exam session, what's gonna to be... on my birthday! The other condition is determined by Polish Railways, whether the summer traveler ticket booklet is going to be offered.
By the way, there is the other rule, that I didn't mention so far - I am pledging to not to use other means of transport, than: train, coach, ferry, bicycle and hitch-hike.
Participators: anyone who is not afraid of adventure.
Route: as presented underneath - with circles are marked cities, which I am going to visit, with full circles - these, where I am going to roost. Of course the journey will be verified by life, anyhow I am going to travel around my country in 3 days, join me! :)
Thursday, May 7, 2009
I can just not like that country, leave it with the nearest opportunity and never come back.. But one thing is unavoidable.. I have to admitt, there are beautiful places in Poland..
Beauty of Poland - album
Beauty of Poland - album
Sunday, May 3, 2009
It's not that common to wake up at 4:30 am, while you have day off.. hence I will publish this post.We did it! Yes, impossible is nothing! I woke up so early..and the reason wasn't a hangover.. no no.. the night before was bloody sober! I got prepared in 35 minutes and with el Pablo moved to the train station to reach transport to Jelenia Góra.. Trip has passed fast - protected by Morpheus - we arrived to our aim at 10 am. Next - bus to Karpacz - actually we were the only one-sex couple what made us confused (actually we regret, that we let those two teens to get out in Walbrzych :P). Anyhow we came to Karpacz.
We purchased a useless map and went on the route.. hundreds, thousands of lazy Polish "weekend tourists" were on the way... to the chair lift.
No no.. don't even think, that we were one of those.. equiped with "explorer's" clothes and nordic walking sticks (actually one of us..the better one used that:)) and backpacks with food and something to make us brave.. (Kinder Bueno in fact) we went to the track.. black track.
How naive we were, thinking, that the hardest track would be left just for the best ones.. Ech, the nightmare of all the travelers is that all the time you have to confrontate your plans and ambitions with stupidity. Nevermind, I won't say a bad word about my fellow-citizens, while there are national days running :P
We reached Sniezka - we scorred the Czech Republic and we came in one piece home.. and that wouldn't be anything amazing, there wouldn't be that post on the blog.. unless You wouldn't stay in front of TV or BBQ :P
But don't worry.. You will have chance to make your drawbacks up! Next weekend "Skalne mesto" and in the begining of June Lvov. Get ready! :)
We purchased a useless map and went on the route.. hundreds, thousands of lazy Polish "weekend tourists" were on the way... to the chair lift.
No no.. don't even think, that we were one of those.. equiped with "explorer's" clothes and nordic walking sticks (actually one of us..the better one used that:)) and backpacks with food and something to make us brave.. (Kinder Bueno in fact) we went to the track.. black track.
How naive we were, thinking, that the hardest track would be left just for the best ones.. Ech, the nightmare of all the travelers is that all the time you have to confrontate your plans and ambitions with stupidity. Nevermind, I won't say a bad word about my fellow-citizens, while there are national days running :PWe reached Sniezka - we scorred the Czech Republic and we came in one piece home.. and that wouldn't be anything amazing, there wouldn't be that post on the blog.. unless You wouldn't stay in front of TV or BBQ :P
But don't worry.. You will have chance to make your drawbacks up! Next weekend "Skalne mesto" and in the begining of June Lvov. Get ready! :)
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