Wild Nights and Wicked Days in Warsaw
Trip Start
Apr 20, 2011
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31
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Trip End
Jul 21, 2011
Warsaw, Central Poland, Poland
Sunday, May 22, 2011
As soon as both sisters walked in I knew they were going to be awesome. We were introduced and decided to go outside, away from the loud music, so that we could talk. Dorota bought us all a round and we drank and talked and got to know each other for a few hours. With all of us being pretty much the same age we all got along quite well. These sisters are the sweetest – and cutest – two Polish girls I have ever met. I was more than glad to be in their company on our first night in Warsaw. On a bus ride back home (one that brought them way too far from their stop and it turns out prompted them to go on an adventure to find Zapiekanka *an awesome Polish snack, like a cross between a sub and a pizza*) we agreed to meet the next day at our campsite around noon.
At 12:15pm the next day both girls showed up with radiant smiles to show us around town. We hopped into Ania’s company car and made our way through the center to the old town. Old town and new town are literally right next to each other. When we arrived we realised that there was some sort of art nouveau festival in new town and thought we should check it our first. There wasn’t too too much going on. Dan groped a naked mannequin’s breasts and then showed us some of his old graffiti tags from back in the day on a fake wall put up expressly for this purpose. Ania and Dorota walked us close to the new stadium they are building in preparation for EuroCup 2012 – which was huge. We ended up at some museum that at first didn’t look like too much and required us to pay so we were about to ditch – but then around the side we noticed that there was a free outdoor museum containing WW1 and WW11 military planes, tanks, vehicles, etc. Needless to say Dan was pretty impressed and looked like a kid in a candy store as we walked through. It was pretty crazy being so close to weapons of that magnitude. I’m not sure I 'enjoyed it’ per say, but it was definitely something to see.
It was a really hot day (above 30 c) so Dorota made us walk on the shady side of the street all the way to Coffee Heaven where, by the way, they don’t serve any iced chocolate drinks, to my dismay. I settled for some frozen fruit drink while they all sipped their iced coffees to cool off before we were on our way to the old town. Again, nothing crazy to report back about here but it was a very nice city. What I can say is that I noticed that people here enjoy two things: balloons and street performers pretending to be statues. One of these ‘statue men’ scared a little kid which Dan found hilarious and managed to get a picture of.
We walked down to Warsaw’s new fountain which is magnificent. Naked children everywhere prancing in their makeshift waterpark means good times. Dan got jealous of them and jumped in too – after unloading the contents of his pockets on me. I wanted to go in as well to cool off because it was a crazy hot day and I do not do well in the heat but I knew we were going out for dinner soon and decided against it. So Dan waded among the children for a few minutes until the fountain started misting again so he jumped out. He got himself pretty wet regardless but dried off quickly in the sun on our way to dinner.
Ania and Dorota wanted us to experience a truly Polish meal and new of a great restaurant to bring us to. So when we took our seats at the local McDonald’s we were confused.
I’m kidding. This was actually one of Ania’s running jokes throughout the day. Funny girl.
They took us to this big restaurant which I really don’t remember the name of. They were playing traditional Polish music and the patrons were all eating these gigantic plates of meat. We ordered the pig’s knuckle and the plate of meats and ate the biggest and best tasting meal I have had the pleasure of consuming while in Europe. Dan’s mom says that she can get drunk off food – well she’s absolutely right and you better believe it. We were all wasted on the amazing assortment of fatty meats. There was grilled chicken, sausages, blood sausage, a type of bacon, rice, potatoes, coleslaw, sauerkraut, cabbage, pickles, bread as far as the eye can see, and of course the famous, fattiest and tastiest pork knuckle ever. Man did we ever eat…by the end of the meal none of us could move or speak we were all so full. Dan and I insisted on paying though Ania and Dorota kept saying we were their guests, they were our hosts and had already shown us an amazing time. When the bill finally came Dan and I tried to conceal our shock. Two gigantic dishes that could feed an entire army and multiple drinks only came up to 150 zlotys. That’s like 50 Canadian dollars for a meal that could easily cost 250 in Canada. We happily paid and wobbled our way back out into the world and made jokes about how none of us will need to or be able to eat for another week.
They drove us around the rest of the city pointing out sights as we went along. They showed us some old buildings that remained standing after the way and are still in use despite the many bullet holes that are apparent. For them it was normal to see, they pass by such buildings every day without giving it much thought. For us this was shocking to see – bullet holes in buildings? And this all over the city. We most certainly are not used to that. *Note that after doing a little bit more research we went back alone the next day to check out the remaining buildings that had been in the Warsaw ghetto during the war (and part of the famous uprising) to take pictures on the way out of the city.
We eventually ended up at their apartment building, which is actually more like a condo than anything. The outside looked like a regular building, nothing spectacular…but inside the place is incredible. Everything was so modern and we were clearly in awe and maybe a little jealous. Now I love my place very much but I wouldn’t have to hesitate if we were able to trade. This place was spectacularly decorated en plus. I was loving it. We spent a good amount of time on their balcony that seemed to be built for us four. We digested and people watched for over an hour until we went back inside and collapsed on their couch, also built for four it seems, to watch Polish X Factor. This is essentially American Idol but Polish. The old woman was voted off this week. Don’t underestimate how much fun this can be. Just making fun of the silly commercials and making up English dialogue to Polish sitcoms was a great time. When you’re in the presence of great company you can do just about anything and have a good time.
Around 11pm we decided it would be best to head off as they both had work the next morning – so Ania generously drove us back to our campsite but not before a million goodbyes and attempts to take pictures with all four of us in them (Dan finally used their mirror to do this). We had an awesome time and were sad to go but hopefully we’ll be able to meet up again in the future. They were truly awesome people and we cannot thank them enough for showing us such a great time.
I have decided that I am literally off meat for a long while. Seriously.
xxx
Love Lilly
Comments
Your posts continue to make me salivate hahaha... I am looking forward to ever getting a chance to eat so well!!! Keep posting!