Warsaw
Trip Start
Jun 27, 2006
1
31
60
Trip End
Mar 28, 2007
Warsaw, Poland
Monday, October 9, 2006
By the time Paul arrived, I was able to pick him up at the airport by bus, take the short cut from the bus stop to the hostel. I was also proud to point out the Chopin Museum across the street from the hostel. The only problem is that I pronounced it "chop-ping," and I know I will not hear the end of it.
Paul was a good sport about staying at a hostel (we stayed in a private room instead of bunk beds). Hostels these days are a lot better and cleaner than they used to be. For one thing, there are now computers with internet access at every hostel that I have stayed at. We no longer get assigned chores in the morning. Most hostels do not have curfews any more - both during the day time and at night.
I was also thrilled to get all kinds of goodies from Paul. The single most important item was my smaller backpack, or a good size daypack. It was the perfect size for a day hike in fall in New England - food and drinks, Gortex raingear, gloves, extra socks, first aid kit, and even a compact sleeping bag. I was tired of lugging my obnoxiously huge backpack around. It has hindered my catching local buses (especially mini buses). It was also heavy. Having travelled a few months, I now have a pretty good idea of the things I need versus the things I might need.
In Warsaw, we went to the Jewish ghetto, cathedrals, Gestapo headquarter and the old town. The latter was not as impressive/expansive as the ones in the capital cities of the Baltic countries.
We met a local guy in a church. He is a waiter on Royal Caribbean cruise line. He was our tour guide for the next few hours. We decided to go to a cafe to take a brief rest. I was thinking of coffee and dessert, but he ordered beer for all of us. As usual, I turned red. It wasn't even noon yet. His ship was scheduled to dock in Boston the day after Paul returns. Paul will not doubt reciprocate the role of a guide.
A landmark that can be seen everywhere in the city is the Palace of Culture and Science, which houses, among other things, a huge congress hall, three theatres and a cinema. The building, built in the early 50's, was a 'gift of friendship' from Stalin to the Polish nation. At 234m tall, it is still the tallest building in the city. Poles do not like the building at all. They seriously want to use a dynamite to blow up "the d***head in the middle of the city," as our new friend put it. They joke that the best views of Warsaw can be seen from the observation terrace of the building, since you cannot see the ugly building itself. I personally think that the building is quite good looking.
We spent a leisurely afternoon at the Lazienki Park and Palace. The Chopin Monument is one of the very few sights that I remember from my previous visit (my photo album has a picture of it). The Palace on the Water is very tranquil.
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