Thursday 13 - Poland Edition #2

13 Things that drive me crazy about Poland

Now, for the things that make me want to run screaming back home, after a couple of weeks...

1. Slow pace. I'm able to stop and smell the roses with the best of them. But when it takes two hours to walk two blocks down the street, I start to lose it.

2. Pollution in the cities. I'm hoping that visiting once every other year won't give us all lung cancer.

3. Inconsistent restaurant service. We are out of eggs today, and therefore cannot serve anything that requires them. Sorry.

4. If you don't eat enough food for four people, you are considered rude, or there is a concern that you are sick.

5. No air-conditioning.


6. No ice in drinks.


7. Old men in Speedos (I had small bathrooms here in this spot, until my friend Michelle reminded me about saggy butts showcased for all to see.)


8. No clothes dryers, anywhere. Your knickers are hung out to dry in front of God and country.


9. Driving conditions and detours. What would take 2 hours to drive in the US takes 6 hours in Poland. Detours can pop up out of nowhere, direct you into the wild blue yonder and leave you for dead. We brought GPS with us this time.


10. Paying to use the toilet. In some public places, they still have a little old lady that collects money for you to use the loo. Toilet paper is extra.


11. Parking. Space is limited, so parking is a challenge anywhere. Good thing they let you park on the sidewalk if you want.


12. Fear of the Russian mafia. My husband assures me that this is no longer an issue. But at one point, they would drive on the main highways, cause a fender-bender, then when you would pull over, they would rob you and gun you down. This is why I have my head between my knees for most road trips.


13. Rapid-fire language with very few consonants. True, if I would just become fluent, this would no longer be an issue. But by the end of a couple of weeks, my ears are ringing and my head hurts.


For more T13 participants, see the Bumbles comment below. Stay tuned for the third installment of our Poland Edition...sights we will see on our trip!

Thursday 13 - Poland Edition #1

13 Things I Love About Poland

This current trip to Poland will be my sixth. By now I am quite clear on what I look forward to and what I don't. Here are a few things that make the trip a joy, in no particular order.

1. They like Americans.

2. My mother-in-law's cooking. Everything by scratch - all traditional Polish food!

3. Polish chocolate (Wedel). We eat so much of it the kids usually get sick.

4. Stunning, majestic old churches. Pictures to come.

5. Home of Pope John Paul.

6. Huge vertical shopping malls in the middle of the city.

7. The Tatra mountain range. Pictures to come.

8. Polish vodka, cheap.

9. Rich in WWII history...a virtual treasure trove for anyone with an interest.

10. Amber, everywhere. Beautiful jewelry, rosaries, trinkets, even wine bottle stoppers.

11. Seeing my in-laws languish in their grandchildren.

12. Fresh, homemade smoked cheese (oscypka), for sale anywhere you can see a sheep. Preferably eaten when still warm.

13. Pierogies, filled with anything from meat, potatoes, cheese, fruit, and chocolate. Food of the Gods, man.

I'd add another number about Speedos if, in fact, good looking men wore them in Europe. I have yet to prove that this exists.

Please refer to The Bumbles comments below for the link to other T13 participants! Stay tuned next week for 13 things about Poland that drive me crazy...