Chris introduced his youngsters and his mother and father to expertise the nation the place his household got here from. Chris did an summary of the nation on a bus tour.
Chris began in Warsaw with the Saxon Gardens and the historic middle of town. A lot of town was rebuilt after the bitter combating on the finish of World Warfare II and the Warsaw rebellion destroyed 90% of town. Chris’s tour visited the tomb of the unknown soldier. You might go away your coronary heart in Warsaw (at Holy Cross church) just like the composer Chopin did, though hopefully much less actually.
On the best way to Częstochowa, they stopped on the pilgrimage web site of Jasna Góra Monastery to see the black madonna. The monastery additionally holds objects from Pope John Paul.
“In my view, Krakow was probably the most lovely locations in Poland. I completely beloved it. I in all probability may have spent two weeks simply in Krakow. The previous city sq. is a UNESCO world heritage web site.” At St Mary’s Basilica, there’s a trumpet participant that performs a tune, however the tune ends abruptly to recollect the trumpet participant who warned of an assault within the thirteenth century however was killed for his troubles. Additionally they visited the Wawel Fortress on the hill overlooking town which was the normal residence of Polish Kings. They visited the previous Jewish neighborhood of Kazimierz the place Schindler’s manufacturing facility was positioned. Additionally they visited the Wieliczka Salt Mine which is a UNESCO web site and contains a complete cathedral carved from salt.
Chris additionally visited Zakopane which is the winter capital of Poland and the house to the Polish highlander tradition and the supply for lots of Polish folks music.
Auschwitz (one other UNESCO web site) left a giant impression on Chris in addition to his son. Seeing all of the deserted objects of a few of the victims helped personalize the horror of the place. The location has a taped tour in order that guests can take it in at their very own tempo.
Their tour additionally included the hometown of Pope John Paul. They noticed extra UNESCO websites in Wadowice, Świdnica, and Toruń, and in addition visited the Baltic coast city of Gdańsk (previously Danzig).
Cowl picture by Gary Arndt of Every part-All over the place.com.
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Present Notes
Journey to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania – Episode 259
Poland Journey
Chopin Excursions
Warsaw
Saxon Backyard
Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
Warsaw Outdated City
Warsaw Rebellion Monument
Holy Cross Church
Sofitel Warsaw Victoria
Częstochowa
Jasna Góra Monastery
Kraków
St. Mary’s Basilica
Wawel Fortress
Radisson Blu, Krakow
Jagiellonian College
Kazimierz
Wieliczka Salt Mine
Zakopane
Grand Resort Stamary
Dunajec
Wadowice
Auschwitz
Wrocław
Centennial Corridor
St. Elizabeth’s Church
Świdnica
Church buildings of Peace
Toruń
Resort Bulwar
Toruń Gingerbread
Leaning Tower of Toruń
Gdańsk
Westerplatte
Gdańsk Shipyard
Solidarity Motion
Gdyna
Sopot
Oliwa Cathedral
Greatest locations to go to in Poland
Transcript
Chris C: Newbie Traveler Episode 441. In the present day the Newbie Traveler talks about pierogis, klezmer music, cathedrals, synagogues, and sadly focus camps as we go to Poland.
Welcome to the Newbie Traveler, I’m your host Chris Christenson. This episode of the Newbie Traveler is sponsored to you once more by BloggerBridge. In the event you’re an organization trying to join with bloggers take a look at bloggerbridge.com.
Cowl picture by Gary Arndt of Every part-All over the place.com.
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Chris C: I’d prefer to welcome again to the present Chris Bogdon from Pittsburgh, who’s come to speak to us about Poland. Chris, welcome again to the present.
Chris B: Hey, Chris, thanks for having me.
Chris C: I say welcome again, it has been, what, three or 4 years because you had been on the present doing Episode 259 in your hometown of Pittsburgh, however this time we’ve gone a bit additional afield. What introduced you to Poland?
Chris B: Nicely, a pair issues. Primary, I’m half Polish so each my spouse and I are half Polish and we wished to return to the place our household was from, however extra importantly, we wished to take our youngsters and wished our youngsters to child of expertise Europe and we obtained to go along with my youngsters’ grandparents. We wished to go along with them and make it type of a giant household trip to point out that that is the place we got here from.
Chris C: Attention-grabbing. You probably did this on a bus tour so this isn’t impartial journey simply so folks know.
Chris B: Yeah. So we ignored of Toronto. We ignored of a tour firm referred to as Chopin Excursions from Toronto they usually concentrate on principally Polish journey, probably not Japanese European, principally Polish journey. It was a two-week bus tour and we went in 2013 in August, the primary week of August. We had been there for about two weeks.
Chris C: Okay. Then this one goes to be an summary of Poland so we’re not going to enter nice element on any of the cities. We’ve beforehand coated Krakow if persons are inquisitive about extra details about that metropolis and I believe sooner or later we’ll do different episodes focusing in additional particular on a few of these, however what was your itinerary?
Chris B: Okay. We principally noticed the whole nation and the itinerary was we began in Warsaw, that’s the traditional place that somebody would fly into Poland. It has the biggest airport. Sadly we solely spent in the future there and in hindsight I in all probability would have appreciated to have spent extra time in Warsaw. It was a really massive metropolis which actually stunned me and it type of jogged my memory, imagine it or not, of like Washington, D.C., primarily due to the entire capital of the nation and also you noticed a variety of the buildings like that.
Each time we landed, as quickly as we flew from Toronto to Poland, principally the primary day we simply took a strolling tour and the entire bus journey. They dropped us off and we had a tour information and we principally walked round regular sights in Warsaw that principally had been the highest websites to see.
The very first thing that actually stunned me about it that they advised us was that Warsaw was actually the Metropolis of Gardens and what they stated is 1 / 4 of town was really crammed with parks and gardens. It was very lovely from that perspective, and one of many gardens that we went to that I might in all probability say could be a superb place to start out could be referred to as Saxon Backyard. It was really the place they’ve there in Poland the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, so it’s similar to what we now have in the USA however actually there’s a Tomb of the Unknown Soldier proper in the course of the backyard.
After we went in 2013 it was below development. They had been renovating the park, however nonetheless we obtained to expertise it and it was undoubtedly a really good technique to begin the journey.
Chris C: Now whenever you speak about touring, I assume you’re touring the historic middle of town principally because it’s a big metropolis. You’re clearly not strolling the entire width and breadth of town. However the one factor I ponder is I do know that there was a complete lot of combating in Warsaw throughout World Warfare II due to the rebellion for example, and so it was pretty flattened. How a lot of the historic middle is left, or rebuilt, I ought to ask you?
Chris B: Nicely, the humorous factor about it’s it was fully rebuilt and each time we went on the tour, clearly each time in Poland we went to the historic city, that’s simply the everyday European factor.
Chris C: Positive. Proper.
Chris B: Each time we went via there they had been telling us histories. They supposedly stated that 90% of Warsaw was destroyed inside World Warfare II and it was fully rebuilt, so actually you couldn’t inform. Clearly you continue to see bullet-holes on some buildings and issues like that however they stated actually the whole city was rebuilt.
What was actually fascinating is the Warsaw Rebellion was just like the well-known rebellion in Warsaw and it was a tremendous type of a monument that we obtained to stroll to. It wasn’t removed from the Outdated City, type of the middle of Warsaw, nevertheless it was principally a monument that type of symbolized that complete Warsaw rebellion. If persons are not conscious of it, principally what it did is each time Germany or the German troopers and the Russians had been type of converging on Warsaw, a variety of the folks in Warsaw determined to stand up.
Chris C: That is the Germans are about to depart Warsaw . . .
Chris B: Yeah.
Chris C: . . . and the Russians are advancing.
Chris B: Precisely.
Chris C: Yeah.
Chris B: Then I assume what occurred is when the Russians began advancing they stopped in need of Warsaw after which all of the Polish residents needed to struggle for themselves. Supposedly they fought for 63 days and in keeping with what I learn and what they advised us, is it was one of many single largest resistant actions in World Warfare II in Europe. So it undoubtedly was spectacular. They stated 90% of the buildings had been destroyed and what was very fascinating is the week that we had been there they had been filming a film on the Warsaw rebellion and it was very nice since you had folks wearing World Warfare II clothes and it actually put you again into that image of possibly what it type of felt like in World Warfare II.
It was laborious to inform that it was rebuilt nevertheless it undoubtedly was. Like all cities in Poland, the historic Outdated City is completely wonderful. It’s in all probability probably the most well-known photos of Warsaw. Each time I see an image of Warsaw they at all times appear to point out the historic Outdated City and it’s a UNESCO Heritage Website as nicely and that’s one thing that I assume all folks after they go to Warsaw they must go.
Chris C: Okay. Any specific constructing, museum, or web site stand out from that historic middle?
Chris B: No. Sadly we didn’t actually spend a variety of time at museums in Warsaw and, like I stated, if I may do it once more I undoubtedly would.
Chris C: Proper. You stated simply the in the future.
Chris B: However undoubtedly, there’s simply a variety of websites to see, very nice websites round Warsaw. One place we did stroll previous that they advised us to look out for is a spot referred to as the Holy Cross Church. That’s the place Chopin’s coronary heart is definitely in a show. Like you’ll be able to’t see it, however there may be an exhibit outdoors that after Chopin died, principally that is the place his coronary heart resides. In order that’s one thing that’s undoubtedly a vacationer cease in Warsaw as nicely.
Chris C: Okay. The rest we need to speak about Warsaw earlier than you progress on?
Chris B: No. The very last thing is since we had been on this tour, I’m going to type of suggest some inns that we stayed at. We really stayed at a lodge referred to as the Sofitel Victoria in Warsaw. It was included in our journey. It was actually proper throughout from the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. So the Saxon Backyard which I used to be speaking to, it was an awesome location, good lodge, and it was simply in a really central location. It was inside strolling distance of the Outdated City and stuff like that however that was the place we stayed in Warsaw.
Chris C: I consider Sofitel as type of a enterprise class lodge chain in Europe.
Chris B: Sure. Truly the great factor about this tour is each lodge we stayed at was a pleasant enterprise class lodge. All of them had excellent breakfast buffets and issues like that. Such as you stated, if we’d have deliberate the journey ourselves we might have stayed at totally different locations, nevertheless it was all included within the tour and it undoubtedly made the tour extraordinarily good.
Chris C: Okay. Glorious. The place did you go from Warsaw?
Chris B: Warsaw is type of within the japanese middle of Poland. From there we began south on our technique to Krakow. The primary cease on our means was about 221 kilometers south of Warsaw and it was a city referred to as Czestochowa. One of many issues about Poland is there’s a variety of Catholics in Poland, so church buildings, non secular locations are very massive there. Czestochowa principally there’s a monastery there referred to as the Jasna Gora Monastery and it’s in all probability one of many extra well-known pilgrimage areas in Poland. I assume what’s massive there may be there’s the Black Madonna there.
Chris C: Okay.
Chris B: It’s a really well-known monastery, very well-known Madonna, there’s tons of individuals there and it’s undoubtedly one thing that in case you’re into type of seeing the entire non secular pilgrimage kind issues, it’s undoubtedly a spot to go. We undoubtedly loved it. A whole lot of nice photos there and there’s a variety of historic issues additionally.
For instance, everytime you go in and also you see the Black Madonna there, there’s really issues from Pope John Paul II, precise clothes that he wore when there was an assassination try on his life they usually had been there due to all the miracles which occurred. It’s undoubtedly one thing that is essential to Polish folks. There’s a variety of Polish tradition even within the U.S. which might be very massive on the Black Madonna. There’s a variety of the shrines across the U.S. and it’s undoubtedly one thing that in case you’re going previous it, it’s undoubtedly one thing that I’d suggest to cease.
Chris C: Glorious.
Chris B: That was a brief couple of hours we spent there after which we made our technique to Krakow and Krakow is about 142 kilometers south of Czestochowa. That is type of extra within the southern a part of the nation. In my view, Krakow was in all probability probably the most lovely locations in Poland. I completely beloved it and I in all probability may have spent two weeks simply in Krakow. It was only a nice a spot.
As soon as once more, the Outdated City was a UNESCO Heritage Website as nicely and it was simply completely a tremendous place. One of many issues that actually impressed me about being on the previous sq. in Krakow is I’ve been to Italy, I’ve been to Germany, I’ve been to a variety of different nations in Europe, and actually in case you sit within the previous sq. in Krakow and in case you shut your eyes and type of not take heed to the language round you, you’ll really feel such as you’re in every other nation in Europe. It simply has that very same European really feel and it was simply completely superior. We beloved it and the great factor in regards to the previous city sq. in Krakow is it was closed to all site visitors. Solely pedestrian site visitors was allowed round that sq..
Chris C: As I recall, Krakow is a bit totally different from Warsaw in that Krakow was comparatively undamaged in World Warfare II and so these are the unique buildings slightly than reconstructions.
Chris B: Sure, sure. So this was a bit totally different. This wasn’t broken like Warsaw was. All of those buildings had been complete.
The one well-known factor is Saint Mary’s Basilica. It’s a church within the Outdated City sq. and principally it was an fascinating story there. Two towers that they had been constructing the church, they’re totally different sizes and supposedly the story there may be two brothers had been attempting to construct these towers and see which one can construct the towers of the church greater. I assume the older brother was dismayed that his tower was shorter so he really killed his youthful brother. That’s one of many tales as to why this church has two towers of various sizes.
The very well-known a part of these towers is one thing referred to as the Trumpeter of Krakow. What that is is each hour on the hour there’s a trumpet participant that performs a tune and in the course of the tune it’s abruptly stopped in mid-stream and it represents within the thirteenth century the trumpeter was there to warn the city of attackers. What occurred is one time he was taking part in this tune and one of many attackers shot him within the throat with an arrow. It represents that tune and type of that thirteenth century [inaudible 00:12:51]. So that’s superior. It’s one thing that you just simply stand in the course of the sq. and also you take heed to and it’s fairly wonderful from that perspective.
Chris C: Glorious.
Chris B: From there one other well-known factor in Krakow is the Wawel Fortress and it’s type of the house to a variety of the kings of Poland. We obtained to tour that and it was completely wonderful. It’s type of on the hill overlooking Poland and we spent really a variety of time there. There was an excellent artwork museum there so there was a variety of artwork, there was a variety of non secular kind issues there. I assume the one factor about it’s again in 2010 the Poland president really died in a airplane crash in Russia.
Chris C: Proper.
Chris B: His stays are literally buried in that fort. There’s a room for him and his spouse, to speak about him and what he meant to Poland, in order that’s undoubtedly one thing I’d suggest as nicely.
Chris C: Yeah. In truth, conspiracy theorists would say that he died below suspicious circumstances within the airplane crash in Russia however I’ll allow you to be the decide of that.
Chris B: Sure, that’s completely true. The opposite fascinating factor about Krakow is we stayed at a lodge, it was referred to as the Radisson Blu Krakow. Very nice about it’s it actually was two blocks from the Outdated City and it was an awesome location, every part there was was inside strolling distance. Both we may stroll to the Wawel Fortress, we may stroll to the Outdated City, so I undoubtedly suggest that one as nicely.
The opposite factor that did occur in there is likely one of the oldest universities in Poland was the Jagiellonian College in Krakow and it was based in 1364. One of many issues that occurred was when Hitler entered Poland, one of many issues he did was he closed this college and this is likely one of the first universities that he despatched all the professors to the focus camps. In order that was type of the massive well-known factor about this one again in World Warfare II. However it’s there and it’s proper close to the Outdated City sq. as nicely.
Chris C: After we say “entered”, we imply the phrase “invaded”.
Chris B: Precisely. Precisely. Yeah.
Chris C: Wasn’t a well mannered invitation, yeah.
Chris B: No, it was not a well mannered . . . From there the opposite factor we did is we went to the previous district and I’m in all probability not going to pronounce the Polish phrase very nicely, it was referred to as Kazimierz. What this was was principally the place the Jewish inhabitants lived. We really obtained to eat at a Jewish restaurant there, which really was very fascinating. We obtained to listen to a reside klezmer band taking part in Jewish music within the restaurant, however what was actually fascinating about this part is that is the place Schindler’s manufacturing facility was, so if you realize the historical past of Schindler’s manufacturing facility . . .
Sadly, we didn’t get to cease. As soon as once more, the unhealthy factor about being on a tour is typically you don’t get to cease at these museums we need to, however we obtained to drive previous the place Schindler’s manufacturing facility was and there was a reasonably good monument there. If I ever went again I’d undoubtedly wish to cease there.
The opposite factor that was actually fascinating on this a part of city it simply gave you a special really feel as a result of it was very Jewish, all of the writing on the partitions was in Jewish, all the eating places had been. A whole lot of Schindler’s Checklist was really filmed on this spot additionally so there’s a variety of the images you would see from the film of Schindler’s Checklist so I undoubtedly suggest that. That’s a really well-known half and what somebody advised me is that, I assume throughout World Warfare II, 64,000 Jewish folks principally left their properties there for Auschwitz and principally solely 6,000 returned. So it’s undoubtedly a pleasant place to cease from a historic worth in Krakow.
Chris C: Simply to maintain us from getting feedback on the episode he does know that when he talks about Jewish writing on the partitions we’re speaking about Hebrew.
Chris B: Yeah. I knew that, I used to be nearly to say that. I can’t imagine I stated that. I apologize.
Chris C: That’s all proper.
Chris B: So then lastly there we went to a salt mine.
Chris C: Oh, wonderful.
Chris B: Southern a part of Krakow there’s one thing referred to as the Wieliczka Salt Mine and it’s, as soon as once more, one other UNESCO World Heritage web site and it’s one of many world’s oldest salt mines. It’s about 1,000 toes deep and what’s very fascinating, there’s a variety of claims to fame, however one of many issues about this was within the salt mine itself there’s a complete cathedral carved out of salt. The altar, I imply it’s completely wonderful. Footage can’t even describe it nevertheless it was simply wonderful how massive this underground cathedral is carved fully out of salt. Every part, even the chandeliers had been really carved out of salt.
Chris C: Oh, fascinating. Okay.
Chris B: So that is undoubtedly one thing that I feel a variety of vacationers cease at. It’s undoubtedly nicely price it and I must undoubtedly say it’s one thing you undoubtedly ought to see. No, the one factor I used to be going to say is in case you do go there, it’s a must to pay to take photos. You possibly can’t simply stroll in and take photos. There’s a charge for the flexibility to take photos.
Chris C: That’s true in a variety of locations. The one factor I ought to say relative to that salt mine which is a World Heritage Website, I feel you could have talked about.
Chris B: Yep.
Chris C: There may be an fascinating “This Week in Journey” second the place Gary Arndt, my co-host on that present, the second journey podcast that I do, really referred to as us whereas we had been doing an episode of “This Week in Journey” that he wasn’t in a position to make it to from the salt mine, from nonetheless many toes down, and was speaking to us on a video chat and it might have been this nice second. It simply occurred sadly to be one of many solely episodes of “This Week in Journey” that we’d forgotten to press the document button and so we now have no proof of that second.
Chris B: Wow.
Chris C: So I’ve seen the salt mine that you just’re speaking about, however solely on a video chat.
Chris B: Okay, cool. Yeah, no, it undoubtedly was price whereas and at first I wasn’t certain if I’d prefer it however I’ve to confess it was undoubtedly one thing that you just undoubtedly must see.
Chris C: Yeah, no, it’s a really important by way of traditionally. I imply again when salt was very costly, any individual was price their salt, because it was.
Chris B: Yep. One of many issues we actually loved doing, as a result of we had been with the household, is each single night time earlier than the children went to mattress we went into the Outdated City and simply had a beer and dessert on the Outdated City sq. and it was in all probability a few of the most lovely issues that I recall from the journey. Simply sitting there each single night time in Krakow and simply having fun with type of the meals with all of the ambiance round it. It’s undoubtedly one thing that I might suggest.
Chris C: Simply earlier than, I need to get to the meals right here for a second. The one factor we forgot to say, the salt mine you talked about the cathedral however you didn’t point out the carving of the Final Supper out of salt which I feel deserves a point out.
Chris B: Yeah. You’re completely proper.
Chris C: When it comes to Polish meals, I don’t know that I actually know Polish meals that nicely. What sort of issues had been you consuming on the eating places in Poland?
Chris B: Truly, as a result of we had been on a tour, they obtained principally a just about fundamental meal every time. Nothing was loopy as a result of there was clearly a bunch of people who we needed to maintain with their totally different tastes, however what we did is we had been in a position to exit and eat on our personal. That’s after we obtained to attempt various things, several types of pierogis, or several types of fish.
Chris C: Pierogis, all proper.
Chris B: We obtained to eat simply all varieties of meals. The meals was similar to what you get in a typical type of Polish church or a Polish restaurant right here within the U.S. Nothing was loopy, there was nothing on the market.
Chris C: See, I don’t know that I do know what I might get at a Polish Church or a Polish restaurant. That’s why I used to be asking. Pierogi is the one factor I do know.
Chris B: Nicely, pierogis are undoubtedly one factor and we appeared to eat a variety of the pierogis there.
Chris C: Describe what a pierogi is for our listeners.
Chris B: A pierogi is sort of a dumpling, so it’s like a potato dumpling crammed with one thing. I assume the traditional pierogi that you’d get within the U.S. is you’d get potato or cheese type of in a dumpling. The one factor I came upon in Poland is there was much more several types of fillings you would use in pierogis. Within the U.S., you’ll be able to generally get fruit, like round Easter you may get cherries or blueberries or prunes inside a pierogi. However we had been at some eating places the place we had like liver in pierogis and I needed to attempt it. I needed to attempt it, and it undoubtedly was good. So I undoubtedly loved that.
There’s a variety of the soups. We tried a variety of totally different soups in Poland additionally however the meals is, I feel, most individuals would really like the meals as a result of there’s nothing loopy there, there’s nothing very spicy and there’s nothing obscure from that perspective. There’s simply a variety of meats, potatoes, meals like that.
Chris C: After all you’re speaking to somebody who likes it very spicy so . . .
Chris B: Nicely, really that’s the identical factor with me. I like spicy meals so I didn’t discover an excessive amount of scorching sauce in Poland.
Chris C: Glorious. The place to subsequent?
Chris B: From there we went to a city that was principally on the border between Poland and Slovakia. It’s a city referred to as Zakopane and it’s a really small city. There’s solely 28,000 folks however this city may be very important to me and my household in quite a lot of causes. Primary, initially, that is the Winter capital of Poland so that is the place folks go to go snow-skiing issues like that. Though there’s solely 28,000 folks there there’s actually 1 / 4 million guests a 12 months to go to Zakopane.
The explanation why it’s type of necessary to me is on weekends I really play in a Polish polka band within the U.S. and a variety of the music and a variety of the tradition that we play on this band comes from this area of Poland. It’s type of a area referred to as the Polish Highlander tradition. They name them the Goral or the mountaineer folks, it’s only a totally different kind of tradition. It’s the place a variety of the ethnic Polish stuff that we see within the U.S. in Chicago or somewhere else like that, that is the area the place that ethnicity comes from.
Chris C: Now could be that as a result of that specific area tended to immigrate extra, or . . .?
Chris B: I feel so, however the different factor I came upon, studying extra about this tradition, is these are folks which might be very pleased with their tradition.
Chris C: Okay.
Chris B: It’s a really small a part of Poland however it’s so necessary to their tradition. To this present day folks nonetheless gown up in type of the Polish Highlander outfits. The boys put on thick wool pants even in the summertime as a result of that’s simply what their tradition does. They’re very pleased with their heritage and it’s a really lovely a part of Poland additionally. It’s very totally different as a result of it’s within the mountains so every part’s made out of wooden. It’s within the mountains, a variety of the bushes and all the homes are made out of wooden. It type of reminds you of like a typical city, really, for me in Pennsylvania, within the mountains, the ski resort cities, issues like that. However it’s only a very good place to cease and see.
Chris C: Okay.
Chris B: One of many issues we did there, we stayed at a lodge referred to as the Grand Resort Stamary, which is correct downtown in Zakopane and it was as soon as once more inside strolling distance. There isn’t an Outdated City, it’s not like type of an Outdated City in Krakow or Warsaw, however there was a downtown and there was a downtown buying district the place you would stroll round and get a variety of Polish kind issues. Whether or not they be meals, there was a variety of leather-based items that we had been in a position to buy, and really good stuff. Superb place to go and purchase a variety of the souvenirs that you just need to take again.
The one factor we discovered on this area is there’s additionally this nice cheese that I completely love. It’s referred to as Oscypek. What it’s is it’s a cheese made out of salted sheep milk. I simply fell in love with the cheese and I attempted to search out it right here within the U.S., nevertheless it’s a lot tougher to search out. It’s undoubtedly one thing that in case you’re in Zakopane you undoubtedly ought to attempt a few of that.
Chris C: Is {that a} laborious cheese or?
Chris B: It’s a smoked cheese.
Chris C: Oh, fascinating. Okay.
Chris B: So what they do is that they type of make it. While you’re driving as much as Zakopane the humorous factor about Zakopane is it’s like a two-lane highway, it’s only a very small highway you wouldn’t even suppose there’s like a resort city there. However there’s all these homes within the mountains and that’s principally the place they make the cheese. They make the cheese, they smoke the cheese there, they usually promote them in small items. You simply seize them and you retain them in a paper bag and supposedly they’ll keep good for the whole journey. You don’t must refrigerate them.
My spouse didn’t prefer it. My youngsters actually didn’t just like the style. However I simply fell in love with the style. With that and beer, it was simply the proper mixture for me.
The opposite factor we did that, as soon as once more, as a result of Zakopane was close to the Slovak border, or Slovakia, there’s a river that runs between Poland and Slovakia and it was referred to as the Dunajec River. One of many issues we did, as soon as once more, as a result of I play in a band and a variety of the people who had been on this tour had been about type of music and stuff like that, you bought to journey on a ship journey. Mainly they take these flat-style boats and we obtained to go on a two-hour tour of this river between Poland and Slovakia. It was simply superior. It was an awesome expertise.
What we obtained to try this was actually fascinating is we had been there on a Sunday and I introduced my accordion, I play the accordion. We had one other man that performed the saxophone and the whole means down the river all we did was type of play Polish folksongs and everybody was singing, you then’d come round a nook and get to a bunch of individuals on the Slovak aspect so we modified and we performed Slovak music after which all of them began singing. It was only a nice expertise and we had some nice photos of that boat-ride down that river.
Chris C: So that you additionally know Slovak music?
Chris B: We did, sure. The one man I used to be with he additionally knew some Slovak songs, we performed some Slovak songs. He sang after which the gang, the information, the folks on the aspect of the river had been singing with us. It was simply an superior expertise. It was one of many biggest experiences of my life, really.
Chris C: Glorious.
Chris B: So then, like I stated, we spent three days there. In all probability you don’t must spend three days there however we spent three days simply because it was type of our tradition, it was our heritage.
Chris C: Positive.
Chris B: From that perspective.
Chris C: That is sensible and I feel lots of people as they’re going again on I need to say a heritage tour, and that actually is what that is for you, it does make sense to spend extra time in that specific space. For me it might be within the city of Thisted in Denmark, for example.
Chris B: Yeah.
Chris C: Or wherever my German kinfolk are from, proper.
Chris B: Precisely. Nicely, the humorous factor about that’s we really did go to a restaurant. It was referred to as Volucia Goshenko and it was really within the mountains. What it was is that they type of placed on a present for us on this restaurant. Mainly the folks dressed up in type of the Polish Highlander outfits. What was actually fascinating about it’s that they had a reside band there, and since they knew that I performed music, they referred to as me as much as play with them and my spouse and my youngsters and their grandparents obtained to bop and stuff like that.
It was actual festive and what was actually cool about it’s after that they went outdoors they usually constructed an enormous bonfire and we simply stood across the bonfire, performed music, singing songs all night time and it was simply a type of experiences that I do know my youngsters will always remember that. Identical factor for me, from my perspective. I’ll always remember that for so long as I reside.
Chris C: Each time you say “Highlander” I feel “kilt” and I’m clearly getting the flawed psychological image there.
Chris B: Nicely, no it’s really very related. It’s not a kilt nevertheless it’s principally that Polish conventional outfit. That’s type of the Polish tradition. We left there and we stopped at a small city referred to as Wadowice. The explanation why we stopped there, that’s the place Pope John Paul II was really born.
Chris C: Oh. Okay, I knew I acknowledged the identify however I used to be not arising with what that was from. Okay.
Chris B: Yeah. So as soon as once more Pope John Paul was clearly crucial. All over the place you went there was a variety of issues in direction of him since he was the primary Polish pope, however we simply obtained to stroll round and one of many issues that was actually good was there was a restaurant behind the church that bought this pastry. It was referred to as kremowkas. It was simply the pastry that Pope John Paul beloved and clearly it’s probably the most well-known pastries as a result of that’s what he used to eat within the city so we simply needed to cease and get some pastries. It undoubtedly was good, don’t get me flawed, however I feel it was extra the historic indisputable fact that that’s what Pope John Paul did.
Chris C: Okay.
Chris B: From there, since we had been within the southern, the subsequent place we went was in all probability not probably the most thrilling place to go in Poland however we stopped at Auschwitz. We may in all probability discuss a complete day of Auschwitz so I don’t actually need to enter all the main points of Auschwitz. You can really do a complete present on that proper there. However it was about 130 kilometers from Zakopane. So we went to Auschwitz and we principally spent the whole day there. That clearly is one other UNESCO Website and it’s undoubtedly one thing that in case you go to Poland, wherever you might be in Poland, it’s a must to cease there. It’s a historic web site, it was completely wonderful, and it’s laborious to even describe it. I do know that my youngsters had been type of mentally exhausted simply by spending the whole day there.
Chris C: Nicely, and I’m curious, how previous are your youngsters?
Chris B: My daughter’s 13 and my son is 9. I don’t suppose my 9-year-old may grasp what it meant however my 13-year-old did. While you stroll via a few of the barracks, they principally have barracks the place they uncover private objects from the people who had been at Auschwitz.
Chris C: Proper.
Chris B: It places one thing in direction of that. It simply ties it again to, “Hey, this was actual. These folks had been actual.” It’s laborious to explain the sensation you get there. The one fascinating factor about it that I didn’t learn about Auschwitz is Auschwitz is the German identify. The Polish identify is definitely Oswiecim. A whole lot of the Polish folks, from the best way I perceive it, they don’t prefer to name it Auschwitz as a result of Auschwitz was a German identify. They would like to name it Oswiecim. In order that was one thing that I didn’t know earlier than we went to Auschwitz.
The opposite factor I didn’t know is there have been a number of complexes of Auschwitz and a variety of the well-known belongings you see on Schindler’s Checklist or a few of the motion pictures, had been really at Birkenau, which is type of proper down the highway a bit.
Chris C: Proper.
Chris B: It’s a lot larger, there’s not as a lot there now. Just like the gates are there the place the practice went via and stuff like that, nevertheless it’s one thing it’s a must to see. From what we heard on the time we went in 2013, they supposedly had been constructing a joint-museum. Undecided if that’s completed but or not however that’s one thing that could be open now.
Chris C: Nicely, and one of many causes I used to be curious in regards to the age of your youngsters is we now have talked about Auschwitz means again in an episode we did with a household of 4. I feel it was fourintheworld.com was their weblog, who had traveled all over the world for a 12 months. One among their memorable experiences was Auschwitz however that they had 4 youngsters and the older ones went in and the youthful ones, they needed to resolve in some unspecified time in the future, how younger is simply too younger to grasp, to understand, and even to cope with the type of degree of evil that you just’re speaking about that creates one thing like Auschwitz. They type of determined that the 2 youthful youngsters who had been youthful than your son’s age had been nonetheless a bit too younger to cope with this.
Chris B: Yeah.
Chris C: I imply, I don’t suppose there’s a child’s e-book model of Auschwitz as a result of I don’t know how one can speak about it.
Chris B: It’s laborious to explain and it’s just about the place you get to see a variety of it. You get to stroll via a few of the furnaces and a few of the fuel chambers and it has an excellent tape tour. They gave all people type of the tape that described it, the place you’re going as you’re strolling via the totally different buildings. It’s undoubtedly price it.
One of many the very best elements of it’s after we left Auschwitz we went up the highway to Wroclaw, which was the subsequent city we stopped at. However we had been speaking to a girl on her bus on the bus journey, that it seems her mother and father had been really in Auschwitz. She advised us this absolute story about how her father was a shoemaker and he really befriended one of many guards in Auschwitz they usually requested him to make him boots. So this Polish man really made boots for this German soldier and in alternate for that, this man and his spouse obtained to depart Auschwitz.
It was a type of tales that was like, “Wow, that is actual.” There’s an individual right here on this tour that had a private tie right here which really I feel put every part in perspective. However I do must admit after we left there it was a really solemn journey the remainder of the best way to Wroc?aw, which was like 228 kilometers away.
Chris C: Oh certain. Yeah. I’ve to marvel as a tour firm, what do you set after that in your itinerary. It’s like, “And now let’s go to a fiesta.” It’d be a troublesome factor to do.
Chris B: Nicely, I feel the great factor about it’s Auschwitz wasn’t removed from Krakow so I feel if we went again to Krakow, we in all probability wouldn’t have loved it that night time a lot. However being that we had been on a bus for an additional 228 kilometers, by the point you bought to the city, it type of handed.
Chris C: You had a while to course of it.
Chris B: Precisely. It was undoubtedly price it. So principally what we did is the subsequent city, like I stated, we went to a city referred to as Wroclaw, which was I assume in case you have a look at a map it was on the Western middle of Poland. It was a really good city, some fascinating issues about it. It in all probability wasn’t my favourite city in Poland. We spent three days there, there was a pair UNESCO Heritage Websites there.
There’s one thing there referred to as Centennial Corridor which we had a cease at. Mainly what it was was a leisure constructing. It was only a very giant leisure constructing with some wonderful fountains outdoors. I feel the explanation it was an UNESCO Website was due to the development. Not the historic worth, however, “Hey, it is a concrete constructing.” Simply the development methods they used, which is why it was on the UNESCO Heritage Website.
The city of Wroclaw is definitely on a River referred to as the Odra River, O-D-R-A, and there’s 12 islands. The city is comprised of 12 islands there. It, like all different cities in Poland, have a really giant market sq., we spent a variety of the time there. This had a variety of out of doors eating places so the one good factor about Wroclaw is there was a variety of out of doors eating places with a variety of totally different Polish meals. We even ate some Italian meals there. The in the future we simply wished to go eat one thing totally different, so there was a variety of meals round this market sq..
Chris C: Simply because we haven’t been speaking about Polish spelling and understanding issues.
Chris B: Sure.
Chris C: I imagine that the city you’re saying is W-R-O-C-L-A-W.
Chris B: Sure, and I meant to say that’s… I’m not the very best…
Chris C: Though you’re saying “vroat-swaw’.
Chris B: Sure.
Chris C: Their W’s a V, and our C is an S.
Chris B: Sure. So the W is a V, and the L there’s an L with a line via it so it’s like ‘Vroat-swaw’. However yeah, that’s precisely the way you pronounce it.
Chris C: Attention-grabbing, okay.
Chris B: So the opposite fascinating factor about this city after we had been there that may be very well-known, and it’s type of newer however it is extremely well-known, is it began in 2001 however there’s a variety of gnomes. There’s a variety of these gnome statues all through the whole city and it by no means actually dawned on us till we obtained there, nevertheless it began in 2001. The explanation why it began it was in assist for an underground motion in opposition to the opposition of the communist authorities.
It began again within the ’80’s, it was a motion referred to as “The Orange Underground Motion” and what they did was they created a gnome in one of many avenue corners and it simply began spreading. So there’s like 300 of those little statues throughout all the city, my youngsters had been simply completely in love with it as a result of in all places you went there was a special gnome in a special pose and stuff like that. It’s very well-known from that perspective and it’s one of many vacationer websites there additionally.
Chris C: Glorious.
Chris B: The opposite factor there was is there’s a church there that really had among the best views of the city. It was referred to as the St. Elizabeth Church Tower. It’s one of many oldest buildings within the Outdated City and also you get to climb to the highest for simply an unimaginable view of the whole city. So I undoubtedly suggest, there’s like proper off the Outdated City sq. in order that was very nice additionally.
The opposite factor that was close by that I don’t even know why we went there at first, there wasn’t a lot on this city, nevertheless it was a city referred to as Swidnica. What there was, and I feel it’s as a result of there was a UNESCO Heritage Website there additionally, however it’s the largest timber-framed church in all of Europe. It’s this huge church referred to as the Church of Peace. They’re attempting to reconstruct it as a result of it’s type of falling in disrepair. It wasn’t removed from Wroclaw, nevertheless it was simply a tremendous church and you would see they’re actually attempting to recreate it. Every part was in wooden and unsure if it’s price taking the drive to go see, nevertheless it was undoubtedly fascinating whereas we had been there to go see this web site.
Chris C: Okay.
Chris B: As soon as once more, we spent about three days in Wroclaw. We ate at some good eating places and issues like that, nothing actually caught out at me however then after we obtained completed there we drove to Torun. So Torun was principally within the type of Northern or middle of Poland, and it was about 274 kilometers away from Wroclaw. Consider it or not we solely stayed in Torun for in the future, nevertheless it turned out to be one of many cities that I want I may have spent extra time there. It was simply a tremendous city and it’s a UNESCO Heritage Website additionally primarily as a result of it was the beginning place of Copernicus.
Chris C: Oh, okay, okay. Torun, why is that sounding acquainted? Okay.
Chris B: Precisely. So it was the birthplace of Copernicus and there’s a tremendous statue of their Outdated City. It was so much smaller and it was very medieval so it had a totally totally different feeling of every part single city we went there. It was principally the Teutonic Knights, the best way the story is, they really constructed a wall across the complete city so it’s very . . . simply the sensation is totally totally different.
One of many different issues that was very fascinating is it wasn’t even touched in World Warfare II. So this is likely one of the cities that it was nearly like there have been no troopers there as a result of there was no injury from the whole conflict. Like I stated, we stayed there just one night time. We stayed at a stunning lodge type of proper close to the Outdated City referred to as the Resort Bulwar. I want we may have stayed there a number of occasions. I might have beloved to gone and type of see extra of Torun, issues like that. However it’s undoubtedly a city that I undoubtedly suggest to go to.
One of many different issues that stood out about that city was they’re additionally very well-known for gingerbread cookies. They make a kind of gingerbread cookie there referred to as “pierniki” they usually had been completely superior. Simply strolling across the city sq. and buying them proper there was simply completely superior.
Chris C: After all it’s commonplace that Torun had a wall, what’s the bizarre factor given the place it’s is that it stored the wall. So most of the cities that we all know in Europe, after they outgrew the Medieval ages and through the ages of canons, tore down the wall as a result of they weren’t that good a safety anymore anyway.
Chris B: Yep. The one different fascinating factor we stopped at is there’s one thing referred to as the Leaning Tower of Torun.
Chris C: Okay.
Chris B: Truly, I don’t know if that’s the true identify, however that’s what they appear to name it. On one of many elements of the wall there’s a tower that they constructed on an angle and principally there’s all types of tales about it, however I assume the best way the story goes is in case you get up in opposition to the wall they principally say that solely these with out sin can stand in opposition to it and never fall ahead. So my youngsters thought it was actually cool to go and attempt to stand . . .
Chris C: And had been your youngsters in a position to do it? That’s actually the massive query.
Chris B: No. No one was. It’s one thing that you just simply can’t do. So it’s one thing, as soon as once more, it’s on the wall there and it’s undoubtedly worthwhile however I undoubtedly would suggest Torun. Superior city, like I stated, if I had to return I might love to remain there and see extra of that city. Then the opposite well-known factor about me as I used to be speaking earlier than in regards to the pierogis, that was the city the place I had the pierogis crammed with liver.
Chris C: Okay.
Chris B: Then from there we went to the final city and we drove 168 kilometers north of there to Gdansk.
Chris C: Oh, wonderful.
Chris B: Sure. This was, imagine it or not, certainly one of my favourite cities additionally. It was completely unimaginable. It was constructed alongside a river, it type of jogged my memory . . . it was type of laborious to explain however our lodge, we stayed at The Hilton, primarily proper on the river itself. Mainly there was a river stroll there with tons of eating places and tons of issues like that round it. It was only a excellent spot, particularly to finish our trip.
If the listeners usually are not acquainted, Gdansk is principally close to the Baltic Sea. So it’s at all times on the northernmost a part of Poland. It was an important port in Poland additionally. It undoubtedly had a special really feel, the meals was totally different as a result of now you began to eat extra seafood and it was only a full totally different change from all the eating places we really went to.
Chris C: Nicely, and we must always say traditionally it is a Hanseatic League City and so it had an actual Germanic affect and Danzig, is the opposite identify for it.
Chris B: Yeah.
Chris C: However I feel the Germans largely obtained kicked out in some unspecified time in the future, I feel below the Soviets, however don’t maintain me to that. We’ve really completed two episodes of the Newbie Traveler on Gdansk. You’ve simply by no means heard them as a result of sadly they didn’t fairly make it. Not each episode of the Newbie Traveler works.
Chris B: Okay.
Chris C: So sadly we’ve twice tried with the identical visitor to do an episode on Gdansk and sometime we are going to succeed however not up to now.
Chris B: Nicely, it’s undoubtedly one thing that I in all probability would do an episode on as a result of there’s undoubtedly a variety of issues to see. The great factor about it’s after we went there there was a large arts competition in down city so actually each single avenue that we had been strolling on was teeming with native artists and there was nearly even like flea markets there promoting European antiques and stuff like that. It was simply superior to stroll up and down all the streets and see these issues.
Chris C: Nicely, and since it’s a type of previous buying and selling cities, I imply, it jogs my memory of Amsterdam. It has a really totally different look to it . . .
Chris B: Sure, sure.
Chris C: . . . by way of the historic half.
Chris B: Sure. The opposite factor that I didn’t learn about, which is the place a few of the historic issues, is there’s a place north of it referred to as The Westerplatte – I feel that’s the way you pronounce it. However principally what it was was a army depot, a bit north of it proper close to the Baltic Sea. It seems that was the primary conflict between the Polish and German forces in World Warfare II. In order that proper there was really the place the European theater of World Warfare II started.
Chris C: Oh. As a result of there have been German forces in East Prussia.
Chris B: Precisely. Precisely.
Chris C: I used to be attempting to suppose how can or not it’s that far inland in Poland? Okay, after all. As a result of that wasn’t Poland on the time.
Chris B: It was really unusual as a result of after we’re strolling alongside the river stroll there there was like a mock pirate ship and it was the strangest factor on the planet to see a pirate ship there. Lo and behold we leap on this pirate ship and we go up the river and all these items like that, however the place it ended up was type of the place this primary battle of World Warfare II started. There was a large monument there, it principally commemorates that that the place the primary conflict between the Polish and the German forces had been. What was additionally an fascinating factor about it’s as a result of that was principally proper close to the Baltic Sea, we obtained to principally, me, my, spouse, and my youngsters obtained to go and stroll within the Baltic Sea and simply take off our footwear and stroll round and simply take some photos up within the Baltic Sea in order that was undoubtedly worthwhile.
Chris C: Glorious.
Chris B: The opposite factor that was crucial about it that we stopped by to see was clearly the Solidarity Motion. This was the place the entire Lech Walesa began the Solidarity Motion. What it was is it was a social motion in Poland that principally was anti-Soviet. So again when it was a communist nation, Gdansk, in these shipyards, was the place that complete social motion started.
Chris C: Nicely, and I wouldn’t see it fairly as anti-Soviet, at the least to start with. It was pro-labor which needs to be pro-communist, however after all that was the irony there may be that this does develop into the seed that finally results in the autumn of the wall and the collapse of the Soviet Union, however lots of people give actual credit score to that motion as being the spark that began issues.
Chris B: Yeah. It was fascinating as a result of it’s clearly crucial in Poland, however Pope John Paul II was a really highly effective supporter of that motion additionally. So there was a variety of, I feel, Catholics behind it and issues like that. However what we obtained to see is correct the place these shipyards, proper the place that motion, started. They had been within the means of constructing . . . it appeared like they had been constructing a museum there nevertheless it was simply fairly fascinating simply to be there and to type of see that historic worth of what that place meant to the Polish folks.
What we did is we took a pair side-trips and the side-trips had been type of fascinating. We went to a city referred to as Gdynia, G-D-Y-N-I-A, and there wasn’t a lot there, however what’s necessary there may be that’s the place the immigrants that got here to the USA left from this port.
Chris C: Ah, okay.
Chris B: So it’s a port there. That’s the place a variety of the Japanese European folks, after they wished to come back to the U.S., that’s the port that they really left from. So we had a number of folks on our tour that their mother and father they usually themselves got here via this port they usually’re within the means of constructing type of a Polish Emigrant Museum there. It was simply fascinating to see. I attempted to do a little analysis to see the place my grandparents got here from and I may solely surmise that that’s in all probability the place they got here via additionally.
Chris C: It relies upon. Fairly just a few got here really whilst far over as Antwerp. There’s one other museum which we’ve talked about on the present in Antwerp in regards to the Purple Star Line. What they did is that they included with the worth of your passage additionally a practice ticket from as distant because the Urals or Ukraine or wherever. So some went that far and a few went via different ports, so it relies upon.
Chris B: The opposite place we went to is we went to a resort city referred to as Sopot, S-O-P-O-T, and it was a seaside resort. It was simply an infinite pier, I feel it’s one of many largest piers in Poland constructed out into the Baltic Sea. The day we went there there was like a Ferrari automotive present there that was completely superior and simply tons of individuals. It was on the weekend and it simply photos most sea-side resorts you’d see within the U.S. or most nations. That was excellent to see.
Then the very last thing on the best way again to Gdansk we stopped at a spot, it was referred to as the Oliwa Cathedral, O-L-I-W-A. I assume what was very well-known about this cathedral is its one-of-a-kind pipe organ. It was this wonderful pipe organ there designed within the 1700’s. It’s constructed out of 5,000 pipes and it principally takes up the whole church and there’s all these various things and actions that go on because the pipes are going.
Each day there’s a 20-minute concerto that it’s a must to be there earlier than it to go in and take heed to it. It was simply completely superior. To see it and see all of the pipe organs and all of the animations of all of the items was simply completely superior. So in case you wished to go and see one thing like that, it was close by and I might undoubtedly suggest that additionally.
Chris C: Glorious. What stunned you about your go to to Poland?
Chris B: What stunned me, I feel, was a pair issues. Primary, each time we went to Poland, everybody I advised that I used to be going to Poland they’d at all times ask, “Why?” They’re like, “Oh, there’s so many higher locations to go in Europe.” I’d suppose it’s a type of locations. Like whenever you need to go to Europe you need to go to France, otherwise you need to go to Italy, or Germany. Poland’s in all probability not a type of locations however what we came upon, and what actually stunned us, is it’s a nice European vacation spot identical to all these different nations on the market.
It seems like different European nations, it has the identical feeling, and the identical historic worth. After I obtained again, I assume my reply to all of those people who stated, “Why Poland?” My spouse, myself, and my youngsters may simply rattle off tons of the explanation why if you wish to expertise an awesome European nation, Poland is a type of locations.
Chris C: Nicely, and my impression from what you’re saying is that you just don’t must be Polish to take pleasure in Poland in any respect, though I’m a bit fearful about that liver pierogi there, however aside from that every part that you just’re speaking about by way of all, particularly the UNESCO World Heritage Websites which name out to me . . .
Chris B: Precisely.
Chris C: . . . undoubtedly appears like that’s not going to be one thing that, “Oh, gee. You’re not Polish. You’re not going to take pleasure in that.” Though it’s a type of issues that my household, or half my household are German, though the place that city is now I’m unsure which aspect of the Polish-German border it’s on.
Chris B: The opposite factor that stunned me is I communicate simply little or no Polish. Clearly if there’s a Polish particular person listening to this they’re in all probability going to suppose I can’t pronounce the phrases actual nicely, however I feel on the finish of the day it was very straightforward to get across the complete nation. Now, we did have some folks on our tour that spoke fluent Polish, however we by no means felt like if my spouse, myself, and my youngsters would go round, my youngsters would order meals themselves. It gave the impression to be very pleasant from that perspective.
Chris C: The one factor you haven’t stated, which we talked about off-air, is that despite the fact that this was a bus tour you really did have a variety of free time on this.
Chris B: Sure.
Chris C: So it isn’t such as you had been at all times with a tour information each second.
Chris B: No. We principally had a tour information daily that we did a pair issues, possibly three hours after which we’d have the remainder of the day for ourselves. So we obtained to see a variety of stuff as a bunch, however then we obtained to do issues on our personal additionally. The opposite factor that stunned me me, and that is, I feel, another excuse why I say Poland is in comparison with different European nations I’ve been to, it’s very cheap.
Chris C: Positive.
Chris B: Very inexpensive as a result of Poland is a member of the EU, so it’s a European nation or a member of the EU however they’ve their very own foreign money. They’re not on the Euro, so it was very inexpensive. I went again to my Visa yesterday to take a look at all the eating places I went to after I was in Poland, and there wasn’t a meal that I ate, as a household of 4, that we in all probability spent greater than $70 at on the U.S. aspect.
We may spend $70 or extra at a neighborhood chain restaurant again in Pittsburgh, however we’d go we’d get wine, we’d get alcohol, we’d get dessert for a household of 4 and you would spend 70-some bucks, so it’s not too costly from that perspective. I’ve been to Germany, I’ve been to Italy, I’ve been to the U.Ok. Clearly these are very far more costly, so one of many the explanation why I inform lots of people is if you wish to go expertise a overseas nation and if you wish to expertise a European nation far more inexpensive, Poland is a good vacation spot for that.
Chris C: One thing you would like you had recognized earlier than you went.
Chris B: I want I might have completed extra analysis on a few of the museums at a few of these locations.
Chris C: Okay.
Chris B: I do must admit I didn’t do as a lot analysis on a few of the museums. I want I might have gotten to go see some as a result of I might have actually beloved to type of discover a few of the historical past a bit extra, however the good factor about it’s it’s a motive for us to return to Poland.
Chris C: You’re standing within the prettiest spot you noticed in all of Poland. The place are you standing and what are you ?
Chris B: For us it was after we had been in Zakopane, we had been staying on the resort, we’d open up our window each morning and we’d have a look at this lovely mountain vary. It was simply completely unimaginable. The solar could be arising on the mountain vary and it was only a sight that I feel I’ll always remember so long as I reside.
Chris C: Okay. One second whenever you realized Poland is just not Pittsburgh.
Chris B: The one place I may consider that, and it’s type of humorous, I used to be pondering very laborious about this, I feel was Auschwitz. It simply felt so distant to something that I’m aware of or my household or stuff like that. In that place after we went there to expertise it, I simply felt like I used to be in an entire totally different world from that perspective.
Chris C: As we get right here to our ultimate three questions, anything that we must always know earlier than we head out to Poland?
Chris B: The one factor that you just do must know, at all times deliver change with you as a result of it’s good to pay to go to the restrooms.
Chris C: Positive.
Chris B: So whenever you’re strolling round a variety of the little cities it’s a must to pay to make use of a restroom. We discovered that out after the primary day. The opposite factor is the final day after we had been in Gdansk my youngsters had been dying to attempt some sushi and I might not suggest sushi in Poland. That’s all I’ve obtained to say.
Chris C: Yeah. Okay.
Chris B: The meals was nice, belief me I like to recommend the meals, however we tried sushi and it’s not what I might suggest.
Chris B: Nicely, and also you had talked about the meals that you just had been consuming with the group didn’t stand out as a lot as those you probably did by yourself and I discover that’s fairly typical. I imply a part of the factor with a bus tour is that you just’re restricted simply to eating places, for example, for one factor, that may maintain 40 folks dropping by or by bus or two.
Chris B: That’s proper.
Chris C: We’ve completed a pair bus excursions and I’ve discovered that to be one of many issues that you just surrender, sadly.
Chris B: Yep.
Chris C: You surrender that little tiny little fascinating restaurant.
Chris B: Yep.
Chris C: As you realize my model is just not bus excursions however the extra free-time is certainly one thing that may make that extra palatable to me than the death-march method to bus excursions.
Chris B: Precisely. Precisely.
Chris C: One factor that makes you chuckle and say, “Solely in Poland.”
Chris B: Nicely, I used to be speaking to my spouse about this and I do must admit whenever you stroll right into a restaurant and also you get pierogis with liver inside. It’s one thing I’ve by no means seen and it’s solely in Poland.
Chris C: So far as I’m involved, that may keep in Poland. End this sentence, “You actually know you’re in Poland when . . .” What?
Chris B: I’ll let you know what, that is type of a much bigger story however you realize you’re in Poland when you would stroll down a avenue and also you get a big chunk of bread slathered in lard and topped off with pickles. It will look like each city we went to had that and we by no means knew it was lard till somebody advised us after three days. However actually you stroll down the road, you get this big piece of bread, nice bread, slathered with lard, after which principally topped off with pickles.
Chris C: Did you prefer it till you came upon it was lard?
Chris B: I did. The humorous factor about it’s on each single desk they’d serve you home-made bread and there would at all times be this factor there. As soon as once more, it took us three days to determine that it was lard. However each single day, each desk, as an alternative of getting butter and stuff like that, they’d offer you this complete jar or this complete little container of lard.
Chris C: So a warning to our vegan and vegetarian listeners that’s one thing to be careful for it appears like whenever you go to Poland.
Chris B: Sure. Precisely.
Chris C: In the event you needed to summarize Poland in simply three phrases, what three phrases would you employ?
Chris B: Inexpensive, under-appreciated and, lastly, European.
Chris C: Glorious. Our visitor has once more been Chris Bogdon. Thanks a lot for approaching the present, Chris, and telling us of your new-found love for Poland.
Chris B: Thanks, Chris.
Chris C: I need to remind you once more that every one episodes of The Newbie Traveler, together with this one, are getting transcribed and that’s all due to our mates at JayWay Journey. JayWay Journey is a pacesetter in Japanese European journey akin to Poland. So take a look at jaywaytravel.com and due to them for transcripts.
With that, we’re going to finish this slightly lengthy episode of The Newbie Traveler. You probably have any questions, be at liberty to ship an e-mail to host at amateurtraveler.com or to depart a touch upon this episode at amateurtraveler.com. You may also comply with me on Twitter @Chris2x, and as at all times, thanks a lot for listening.
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