While passing through countries, we like to ask citizens what they think of their neighbours. It is often insiteful, funny and grossly incorrect what one country believes about another.
We found the view of Poland from its neighbours was fundamentally wrong. It is a beautiful country, lovely cities, amazingly cheap and very modern. Maybe, the Polish like to pretend they they are not worth visiting so annoying tourists don't spoil the place. The majority of tourists we did see were all from Russia.
We made our way from Berlin via train towards Warsaw and stayed overnight at Poznan. A lovely city, easy to walk around, charismatic town square and delicious Polish dumplings and beer. A shame about our Airbnb having only a single doona cover on our double bed.
Two facts we found surprising about Poland, with a sizeable population of 40 million, the largest city, Warsaw, was only 1.7million. Poland is often referred to as the country of cities. Over 20 cities have a population over 200,000 residents.
The second fact, of the capitalist countries, only Poland and Australia have recorded 27 years of consecutive economic growth. Poland is considered the land of the middle class. Something which we think Australia used to be, but is now rapidly separating.
Our train journey from Poznan to Warsaw included a complicated ethical dilemma. In a small carriage we sat, eight seats, eight passengers. A warm day meant we searched for a cool breeze. While the train rocked and rolled, seven sweaty passengers asked if the window may be lowered. The one passenger in the controlling position against the window, was The Nun.
Maybe she was on a pilgrimage, maybe she asked for punishment, because she denied opening the window and instead sat in her heavy clothing.
Is opening a window considered an uneccessary luxury?
Another passenger gave up asking, she stood up and opened the window herself. At last! Some fresh air burst into the compartment. Sitting shoulder to shoulder, seven of us all breathed deeply and found some comfort.
Only for a moment, for The Nun raised her arm and pulled it shut. Denied again.
Who of us would dare cross a nun?
Glances darted between the seven captives, what were we to do?
Are we already in Hell?
There we sat, for three hours, wondering what our sweaty sin had been.
The second fact, of the capitalist countries, only Poland and Australia have recorded 27 years of consecutive economic growth. Poland is considered the land of the middle class. Something which we think Australia used to be, but is now rapidly separating.
Our train journey from Poznan to Warsaw included a complicated ethical dilemma. In a small carriage we sat, eight seats, eight passengers. A warm day meant we searched for a cool breeze. While the train rocked and rolled, seven sweaty passengers asked if the window may be lowered. The one passenger in the controlling position against the window, was The Nun.
Maybe she was on a pilgrimage, maybe she asked for punishment, because she denied opening the window and instead sat in her heavy clothing.
Is opening a window considered an uneccessary luxury?
Another passenger gave up asking, she stood up and opened the window herself. At last! Some fresh air burst into the compartment. Sitting shoulder to shoulder, seven of us all breathed deeply and found some comfort.
Only for a moment, for The Nun raised her arm and pulled it shut. Denied again.
Who of us would dare cross a nun?
Glances darted between the seven captives, what were we to do?
Are we already in Hell?
There we sat, for three hours, wondering what our sweaty sin had been.
Warsaw was beautiful. We scaled the nicknamed, 'Stalins Genitalia'. Walked the old town and sat in the parks. Some nice weather meant we could relax on our balcony, eat a lovely home cooked meal and watch the sun set across the city. A fabulous few days.
Our final Polish town was North, on the coast at Gdansk. We had chosen this location as a very cheap flight could take us to Denmark, only $25AUD!
Gdansk was a large port with many ship building facilities. A city rich in history, being occupied and controlled by many competing armies. With strong central forts and walls, the old town was great to walk around. Though on a day that was bitterly cold, we had to step into a shopping mall to warm up.
Finally, we bid farewell to Poland, and boarded our flight to Denmark. Here we would be catching up with friends, Mette and Alex, that we had last seen four years ago on another of our journeys. A time to relax at a home, cook and clean and play with a gorgeous new family member, Isabella.
A brief moment sight seeing with their parents, Per and Elsbeth, was a treat to get to know the area a little better.
A brief moment sight seeing with their parents, Per and Elsbeth, was a treat to get to know the area a little better.
