Blogs from Gdansk, Pomerania, Poland, Europe - page 9

The title of this journal is in honor of Tomek. When we arrived in Gdansk, the Dizzy Daisy Hostel was full, but they directed us to another one, the Baltic Hostel, which was "3 minutes away from the train station." That was their motto on the brochure. Well, the directions were really bad and we wandered into what seemed like the Polish projects- tough guys sitting on porches, either pointing in a helpful manner, but still unwelcomely, the proper direction. When we finally came there, our friend Tomek, a pot-bellied middle aged Pole, showed us around. I think he was slightly drunk, this was about 9:00. Our tour was like this: (In Polish accent) Here is shower. Man... Woman... No Problem... (wink) Here is toilet. Here is toilet. Here is room. Man, here. You, here. This- ... read more

Finally a good night’s sleep! Up this morning for my last breakfast at the Mercure Helluvia. It’s a very nice hotel, but I’m over it. I started getting homesick, or maybe just bored, yesterday afternoon. This trip has been amazing, but I know it can’t go on indefinitely. My mind has already wandered home to my cats, my job, my friends, my life. My life? How can I go back to my life? The world is so much bigger, so much grander than before I left Tallahassee. How does someone incorporate all of this into their usual day to day life? How will my life ever be the same, and do I want it to be? This has been deep thoughts, by Jer O’Connor. Well, after breakfast, I didn’t have time to think much on all ... read more

When I learned Gdansk was on the itinerary, the only person I could think to ask about it was my friend Dan, he responded, “Gdansk, jewel of the Pomorze region of Poland. As with much of Eastern Europe, a crime of geography, putting such a beautiful people in such a precarious place…Further crime that such a people would be burdened by communism for so long.” I find this to be a perfect assessment, if not understated. So far, Poland beats England in every conceivable measure. There are large sections of town that are ugly, large concrete flats and offices built during Soviet occupation. The people who live in them are some of the nicest, most accommodating people I have ever had the pleasure to meet. Otherwise, nearly 70% of the “Old Town” has been painstakingly restored ... read more

After a very Irritating train ride with a boiling hot cabin, the sun constantly in my eyes and the curtain wrappin itself around my head we eventually made it to Gdanks.. We found our hostel after decidin which way to go for a while.. and quickly put our stuff down and went to a near by bar to watch the soccer between Poland and Germany.. then when poland lost we went back to the hostel where we met some more canadians and had a few beers with them.. the next day i had a wonder around Gdanks seein all the sights, gettin stuck behind some religious day march and takin pictures.. that night we watched some more football at the bar got drunk and went to bed.. the next day me and sarah from canada and ... read more

Easter weekend in Poland is Good Friday, Easter Saturday, Easter sunday and Easter Monday. - Good Friday attended mass at the local church. It was really packed and cold but the service was nice. Though I missed the sung gospel like in India. I also helped with the decorations. Remember I mentioned about cutting the easter shrubs from the forest? well same stuff was used. I decorated the drawing room. and made like an arch over the doorwaty. everyone was impressed and really liked it. also it made me happy. Lot of pain is taken to decorate for Eater its like cristmas. will put picteures on the blog when I get back home. - Saturday is a big day coz preperations are made for the big Easter Sunday breakfast. I totally involved myself with everything. I ... read more