Archive for 'Culture'
Midsummer – Polish Style Posted by Anna on Jun 24, 2009
This celebration technically took place yesterday, but I’ve been so busy celebrating Midsummer in all its many incarnations since last week, that the fact that I mentioned absolutely nothing about it on the blog has simply escaped my attention. I beg your forgiveness, and I promise we’ll do better next year, OK? In the meantime…
When a Free Sample Isn’t Free Posted by Anna on Jun 22, 2009
There are many things that I love about Poland, but there are also many others that irritate me to no end (post office – Poczta Polska is just one of them). Another one of those things that get me really cranky are free samples that aren’t free. But let’s start from the beginning. I was…
Namedays Posted by Anna on Jun 18, 2009
Imieniny. I’m sure that anyone who has spent more than five minutes (ok, five days) in Poland is familiar, even if only vaguely, with this glorious occasion. The custom of celebrating namedays (imieniny) is not unique to Poland (some other countries do it, too), but I think only in Poland imieniny are taken so seriously…
Deadly Weekend on the Roads Posted by Anna on Jun 15, 2009
Much can be said about Polish roads and Polish drivers and none of good, unfortunately. Until last weekend I had thought those were nasty exaggerations, at least for the most part. I drive from time to time in Gdańsk and while it can be scary, it’s certainly not suicidal. Last weekend, however, has totally changed…
Essential Phrases – part 1 Posted by Anna on Jun 9, 2009
Take any random phrasebook (any language will do) and look inside. You will see a whole bunch of very useful expressions that, no doubt, are essential to your survival in a foreign land. Phrases such as: “Where is the national museum?” (Yeah right, like you are really going to understand the answer. A lot easier…
Going to the Polls Tomorrow Posted by Anna on Jun 6, 2009
Tomorrow we have the European parliamentary election (wybory do Europarlamentu) and I still don’t know who to vote for. This will be my very first voting in Poland and I am determined to participate. I have zameldowanie (official registered domicile), I have dowód osobisty (ID card) and I am eligible to vote. Don’t laugh, but…
Mother’s Day in Poland Posted by Anna on May 25, 2009
Tomorrow is Mother’s Day in Poland. Yes, here we celebrate it on the 26th of May. Why then and not on a weekend (like it should be)? Well, we’re just different. But seriously, I don’t know why it’s the 26th of May in Poland. Personally, I find it very inconvenient. Let’s say you’re a mother…