Polish Language Blog

Today I wanted to share with you my experience of the first day I landed in USA…

I decided to be a part of “student exchange program”. To be honest…I’m still not sure why is it called like this…It is not an exchange of students, you don’t go to school. As long as you are a full time student in Poland, you can get a J-1 visa, which will allow you to legally work in USA for few months. You can travel, meet new people…There are numerous “student organizations” in Poland that will “help” you find a summer job (that is one of the conditions to get a visa – you have to have a proof that someone will hire you during your stay in USA). You can also find a job by yourself – which is the less popular version…

When I decided to do it, I decided to do it by myself! Yes, no friends with me! I did not know anyone here in the States either – all my family is back in Poland. I found a job by myself (with a little help of a friend who used to live here long time ago). Most of the students go to big cities, like Chicago, New York, Boston…I lived in Warsaw, so I really wanted to get away from a big city in the summer time. To this day, everyone still ask me: “How did you end  up in North Conway, New Hampshire?” Well, I love this place: lakes, mountains, fresh air and the ocean not far away! What else can I ask for?

But going back to the beginning of my trip…

I was really excited…until the last day before my flight…Then all the sudden I got scared. I started thinking that this is crazy! I do not know anyone and I will be traveling so far away by myself. Well, there was no going back in time though. I spent too much money (probably close to $2000.00) organizing everything!

Flight was smooth and I met some great people on the plane. Landed in New York City… Yes, New York City! The “student organization” I went through in Poland got us tickets to NY City, so we can go to “student orientation” and from there all travel to our final destination…It really didn’t make sense…so I skipped the orientation. I did not have much money with me, so the cheapest option was to take a bus from New York to Boston and then from there to North Conway. Once I got to Boston, I learned that the only bus that goes my way is at 5pm….and that I just missed it!

Exhausted, hungry…now I had to figure out where to stay for the night and what to do for the next 24 hours!

So I got a hotel room and it was money well spent. I was able to shower, change and rest. Next morning I decided to explore Boston a little bit, since I had the whole day till 5pm.

Walking on the streets I was very excited and I was soaking everything in…!So different then back home in Poland. It was a beautiful sunny day (end of June), people on the streets were smiling and saying hallo! Yes, it was something new – nobody in Poland says “hello, how are you” to a stranger on the street! Such a little thing, but can make your day!

I spent couple hours at the Museum of science, got a lunch, walk around and found Duck tour! Yes, a lot of people think it is cheesy, but I really liked it. I didn’t have to walk! I learned some stuff about Boston and enjoyed this beautiful day in the fresh air. Most of you probably know that after driving around, boat eventually gets in the water. This is when the driver asked if there is anyone who would like to drive the boat? Few kids raised their hands and they were all able to have their turn. When they run out of volunteers, I thought: “what the hell, why not?”. The driver asked me where I was from and what was I doing in Boston. I said I was from Poland and I was here for 3 month vacation by myself! People couldn’t believe! I got my “boat drivers license” and went back to my seat. All people started talking to me and they were super nice!

After the tour I started walking on the streets of Boston again and few minutes later saw the same boat with the same tour guide! He shouted:”Look everyone! This is Kasia from Poland!She is here by herself  - it is her 3 month long vacation” Everyone started clapping and waving. It was really nice – probably would not happen in Poland.

My bus left at 5pm and by the late evening I arrived in beautiful North Conway! I stayed here for the whole summer working and having fun, then travelled for about 3 weeks. It was a wonderful summer! I came back couple more times for the summers to exactly the same spot and eventually moved here after finishing college in Poland!

Do I love it here? Yes, I do! Do I miss Poland? Yes, I do! But life is life, you got to do what you got to do. I do what makes me happy!

Do następnego razu… (Till next time…)

It is no scecret that Kraków is a romantic gothic city. It is a city that dates back actually about 50,000 years if you include pre-Slavic history. However, the golden age was in the Middle Ages. The time of castles and knights and damsels. Therefore, if you have any romantic ideas, it is an excellent place for a date.

If you are traveling with your boyfriend, husband, girlfriend or wife, Kraków is the place. It’s wandering streets were almost designed for romantic walks, flowing like paths though the city rather than traditional linear grids.

Here are some romantic ideas to explore in magical Kraków!

Take a date to a real castle. On the Wawel hill is an ancient castle. You could spend the whole day there exploring the Royal apartments and the cathedral. Stand on the top and you will see most of the valley. You can explore the dragon’s cave or sit in outdoor cafe’s. The Castle was the center of power for hundreds of years in Europe and the Polish sphere of influence extended from Russia to Western Europe. It was where the Polish kings were crowned and married. Today on any Saturday you will see beautiful Polish brides taking pictures there.

Walk with your girlfriend/boyfriend along Planty – the park around the old town is another romantic walk. Remember Kraków was a walled medieval city and in the walls and underground caverns and tunnels are more magic than any Harry Potter book. Although most of the city walls were taken down over the centuries there are still traces left. The walk around the city is actually a beautiful circular park, these walls and countless historic sites are park of the walk called the “royal way”.

Find a nice Polish girl in a cafe! If you are hip and cool, Kazimierz is the place to hang out if you want to escape the tourist scene. The Polish Jewish quarter was once an island but not part of the city as the river Vistula has changed course. Polish Jewish population lived here for hundreds of year and developed and interesting culture. The traces of this culture can be seen everywhere and give the area a bohemian feel.

The cafes in the old center of Kraków are frequented by the German and UK tourists. The pubs in Kazimierz are where the young Polish hipsters and Krakowians go. It is the Tribeca of Kraków, artsy and trendy. The focal point nexus is or is the club Alchemista which is a club with no lights, only candles (that’s what I remember, unless something has changed)

Enchant a girl (or a boy)  long the river. This is a walk for all four seasons! Along the walkway are numerous views, floating coffee shops and even a beach as well as flowers, trees and benches and magnificent bridges.

However, the best spot to hang out is to simply sitting along the river’s grassy slopes reading a book and watching the sun go down:)

The Wisła River spins and weaves through the romantic city of Kraków, separating it from the ancient fishing town and now district of Podgórze.

The river actually flowed directly though the middle of Kraków in the last century; however, clever Polish engineers shifted the course and flow of the Vistula to save the old town from potential flooding which happens every ten years. Next to Hala Targowa there is a bridge which crossed the river’s old flow.

Nature is always romantic as it is instinct. Las Wolski ( Wolski forest) is the large green area in Kraków. In this forest you can find wild animals and even boars as well as a Zoo and historical monuments. There are endless paths to saunter along.

Deep in the forest the Kamedulków monetary are some holy shines and peaceful chapels. However, girls can visit only a few days a year.

In a room if you whisper something on the other side of the room someone will hear you because of the dynamics of the way it was built. It has whispering walls which will take the expecting by surprise.

Real love comes from God and spirit. A place to go on Sunday for Church for acceptance and unconditional love is the Dominican church-Although not romantic in the Cosmo or sex in the city meaning of romantic, it is in the Medieval sense. It is a church that dates back to the 12th century.

It is an example of gothic architecture which is maintained and shines. It is a monastery from another time and place. The church has magnificent architecture and gothic spirals. If you want to look around, be aware that during mass times it is standing room only and out the door on a Sunda , go during an off hour.The Monks and priests in this community are legendary in Kraków for their wisdom and kindness as well as making you laugh.

So try any of these places and let us know how you liked it!

Do następnego razu… (Till next time…)

Some of my friends told me that ticketing system in Warsaw (public transportation) is really confusing to them…So here is a little more info that hopefully it will make it more clear:

ZTM tariff includes the following types of tickets:

time-limit

single fare

single vehicle-and-fare ticket

short-term

long-term

A time-limit (short-term) ticket entitles to many journeys made on a short-term basis – up to 60 minutes, with as many changes of lines as necessary. The time-limit ticket entitles to travel by all ZTM lines, i.e. by bus, tram, metro and urban rapid rail. This is a bearer ticket.

During the first journey the ticket should be validated immediately after boarding the vehicle. When travelling by metro, you should validate the ticket at the entrance gate before entering the platform, or in the validating machine available next to the lift.

After validation, the time-limit ticket remains valid throughout the number of minutes as indicated by its nominal value.

The following types of time-limit tickets are offered:

20-minute

40-minute

60-minute

All time-limit tickets are valid both in Zone 1 and 2.

A single fare ticket entitles to a journey on one vehicle for a period not exceeding 120 minutes from its validation.

The ticket entitles to travel both on day and night lines.

There are the following types of single fare tickets:

ticket for zone 1

ticket for zone 1+2

Single vehicle-and-fare ticket entitles to a journey only on the vehicle in which the ticket was purchased for a period not exceeding 120 minutes. The ticket purchased in a specially marked ticket vending machine does not need validation.

A short-term ticket entitles to many journeys within a specified number of hours or days, with an unlimited number of changes made during its validity period. The short-term ticket entitles to travel on all ZTM lines, i.e. by bus, tram, metro, and urban rapid rail. This is a bearer ticket.

Short-term tickets are included in the “Wspólny bilet” (Integrated ticket) offer – they entitle to travel by trains of Koleje Mazowieckie (Warsaw rail) and Warszawska Kolej Dojazdowa – WKD (Warsaw Suburb Rail).

Short-term tickets include the following:

1-day City Travelcard

3-day City Travelcard

1‐day City Travelcard entitles to unlimited number of journeys for 24 hours from its validation.

3‐day City Travelcard entitles to unlimited number of journeys for three days from its validation until 23:59 of the last day.

Each of the short-term tickets may be used only for zone 1, or for both ticket zones – 1+2.

A long-term ticket for all lines entitles to many journeys made on a long-term basis, with an unlimited number of changes made during its validity period. The long-term ticket entitles to travel on all ZTM lines, i.e. by bus, tram, metro and urban rapid rail.

Long-term tickets are included in the “Wspólny bilet” (Integrated ticket) offer – they entitle to travel by trains of Koleje Mazowieckie (Warsaw rail) and Warszawska Kolej Dojazdowa -WKD (Warsaw Suburb Rail).

Long-term tickets are coded only on smart cards – Warszawska Karta Miejska WKM (Warsaw City Card) or Elektroniczna Legitymacja Studencka ELS (Student Electronic Card).

The card is validated by placing it in front of the marked area on the validating machine.

Long-term tickets for all lines include:

30-day City Travelcard

90-day Travelcard

There are two categories of tickets – personal and bearer.

Personal tickets are issued on personalised WKM cards (Warsaw City Card) with a photo, and full name of the holder being printed on the card.

Long—term tickets are valid from validation to 23:59 hours of the last day of their validity. Validity of the card may be verified by placing the card in front of the validating machine.

Each of personal long-term tickets may be used only in Zone 1 or for both ticket Zones – 1+2. Bearer long-term tickets are valid in Zones 1 and 2.

Senior Personal Pass for senior citizens over 65 years entitles to unlimited number of journeys for three hundred and sixty‐five days or three hundred and sixty‐six (if there are 29 days in February) from its validation until 23:59 of the last day. The pass is valid with the identity document which confirms the age of a passenger (no other reductions in journeys on the vehicles of municipal public transport in the capital city of Warsaw are applicable with the pass).

Do następnego razu… (Till next time…)