TEARLACH'S POLAND TRIP
August 2005
After leaving Denver August 4th,arrived in Frankfort. After a taxi took me to me hotel, which is a very nice hoyel. Cost 80 Euros but included Breakfast. Made plans and flew to Warsaw.
After checking in, found a tour of the city could be provided. Had a few schnapps and slept great. Warsaw is a beautiful city. Not much left of the old city, the Germans saw to that.
After a tour of what is left of the Getto, where the Germans deported Jews and others after the uprising. There are alot of memorials to this tragedy. Visited some cemeteries, especially for the murdered Poles. As for concentration camps throughout Europe, there were over 9000 camps from the Netherlands, Belgium, France, Germany, Poland, Romania the Czechoslovakia, Austria and Russia.
I did visit Auschwitz and that was enough. There were 51 sub camps at Auschwitz. After 3 days of Warsaw rented a car and visited a crypt where alot of bones which have been there for hundred of years. Also in a nearby town a under ground tunnel, where everything is made of salt, including a altar, light fixtures the floors, including statues.
After a great meal of veal, red potatoes, and vegetables and alot of different cheeses and some good wine. I had a delicious crepe of fruit which added weight to me body.
Well it is me 4th day here, so rented a car and have seen towns of Poznan, Szczecin, Swinoujescie, and Katotrzeg where I spent the night on a excellent room over looking the Baltic Sea, where I had a great meal of herring, cabbage, potatoes, and very strong Beer.
Back to Warsaw, I�m beat, but seen beautiful country. Only way to see anything and meet the people is by car. There is a party Rockand Roll or what you want to call it, Young people are as wild as any other young generation. While there all types of cheeses, meats and meats, including pig, sheep and they said rabbit. Stomach is full. I did go to a Polka Dance and so much fun, waitress and owners and alot of the people were colorful clothes. I tried the polka, I did survive.
Well almost forgot while in Kotobrzeg had a sandwich with pickled herring. Sure did not go well with me, but people were watching to see me reaction. Looks like I did ok. I stopped alot to meet the people. I had on a Irish shirt and they sure were curious as we chatted. Some speak good English, it was so nice.
The cities through out are very colorful and the clothes they are wear are colorful and nice to view. Well me 6th day just finished a great meal of lamb roast, potatoes and vegetables along with all types of cheeses and I had water, enough beer and wine for a bit. Well left Warsaw a in a rented car and have stopped and gone through towns Czestochowo, Geiwice, Katowice.
Iam in Krakow, where Pope John is from. I went to mass in his church, so lovely, what he has done. So nice to see these lovely towns and the people. His church was built under Russian governing. Here also German SS met and decided the fate of the Jews. So very sad.
Today offered a chance to go on a hay ride with the children of the church. They had a long wagon with hay pulled by 4 white horses. After we traveled a bit, place was sat up for a picnic. There was music and the children sang Polish songs. I sang a few Irish songs and they seemed to enjoy the Irish singing. They provided all types of cheeses, meats cold tae and pastry. I need to go on a diet.
Well it's me 7th day, back to Warsaw, where alot of the buildings are of Russian construction. Well here after a nap and a great meal of duck and the trimmings. I did buy things for me children and hope they like them.
Remember Poland did not get full independence till 1990, a long time to have to submit to 2 different countries.
Well I�m off now for Austria, sure hate to leave these people. They are tops in me book for what they have gone through. Some Polish words: Yes=Tak, No=Nie, Thank you=Dziekuje, Hello=Dzien dobry, Goodby= Do widzenia, Please=Prosze, Good night=Dobranoc Good morning/Good afternoon= Dzien dobry. Language not hard to pick up.
Austria here I come (next part of story)