Warsaw

Sunday 17 July 2005

A leisurely day with a walk down the Vistula River and a beer in the Old Town Square listening to brilliantly played classical favourites on an accordian. Spent some time in the Orgraod Saski where they have the memorial to all Poles who died in 1939-1945. Warsaw lost 50% of its population in this period. Home for a couple of beers and a cuppa soup! Both of us happy and relaxed.

Saturday 16 July 2005

Arrived in Warsaw and bought bus tickets. Jumped on the bus to go to Varskova Centralna but neglected to put the tickets through the machine on the bus. A funny little Pole came up to us and demanded a 120Zl fine because we had not put the tickets through the machine. We both went into Patsy plausible mode. Tourista no understand. Little bastard was obviously trying to rip us off. Eventually he gave up when we mentioned the police and the Australian embassy - this was our intro. to Poland. It took us a while to luke warm to the place.

Older Poles are still a little rude - the young ones are better to the tourists.

We visited the Warsaw History museum, the Old Town - reconstructed after being totally destroyed during the Second WW before bed to a cacophony from nearby rooms - loud music until 3am - quite a good choice of music though!