Archive for 'Culture'
Pleasantly Surprised with City Hall in Gdańsk Posted by Anna on Feb 12, 2009
I have to say that I am pleasantly surprised with the speed and efficiency of Polish governmental offices. With the exception, perhaps, of Urząd Skarbowy (Tax Office), but then again, you can’t expect too much from the Taxman. They’re only fast if THEY want something from you, right? But all the other offices I’ve dealt…
Sknery R Us Posted by Anna on Feb 7, 2009
I am what you might call “dusigrosz” or “sknera” in Polish. In other words, I’m cheap, as in “I’m a cheapskate.” I travel on a budget, drive an old car (but I keep it running perfectly) and I don’t like to spend money on things I don’t need. If there are things I do need…
I’m Hungry, Let’s Make Bigos Posted by Anna on Jan 31, 2009
I’m cold and I’m hungry and that’s always a very bad combination. And I’m not in the mood to write about grammar today. So, let’s talk about food instead. I found half a cabbage in the fridge (leftover from making okonomiyaki the other night) and I’ve been thinking what to do with it. I hardly…
Overhearing Polish Posted by Anna on Jan 24, 2009
My trip to the islands (and I don’t mean the UK and Ireland here, though we did stop in London briefly) was delightful. I didn’t want to come back home. And Mister has started making plans of quitting the life as we know it and starting a new one on the beach in Antigua. Or…
Święta, Święta i po Świętach… Posted by Anna on Dec 28, 2008
Soooo…. The shortest day of the year is behind us (that’s a good thing, at least in my book, I like to see daylight for a bit more than just a few hours), Christmas is behind us (that’s a good thing too – no more carp for at least another year, yay!). Now there’s only…
Polish Christmas Eve: Wigilia Posted by Anna on Dec 23, 2008
Tomorrow is Wigilia (Christmas Eve) and it’s one day that most Polish families take very seriously. I said “most” because some celebrate it in a less traditional way – like at an all-inclusive resort in Madeira or Tenerife, for example. But for most Poles, Wigilia means getting together with their extended family, eating huge amounts…
It’s Almost Christmas! Posted by Anna on Dec 21, 2008
How’s your Christmas shopping coming along? I haven’t even started mine, to be honest. And if someone asks me why, I’m going to tell them that I’m turning Greek orthodox this year. Speaking of which, these guys have it so easy – everything is on sale for THEIR xmas. Not fair, so not fair… And…