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Published: April 17th 2018
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I was planning on flying to
Warsaw on Thursday March 1 but there were severe thunderstorms in the Midwest that day. Besides that, my friends flight from Seattle to Chicago was delayed beyond making the connection to the LOT flight bound for Warsaw.
I was going to Warsaw for the grand opening of the Hard Rock Cafe.
I changed the date to Thursday March 16 and even though my friend could not make it this time, I went anyway. The flights to Chicago that day were all looking kind of "iffy" so I decided to drive up to O'Hare airport. The LOT airlines 767-300 was booked near capacity and I did not know for sure if I would make the flight so I waited patiently by the gate for them to call my name.
I did get a seat and settled in for what would be an uneventful flight to Poland. It was the usual economy service of drinks before dinner, then chicken or pasta, more drinks, followed by a movie and/or sleep, and finally, breakfast right before arrival.
The day was looking real nice as it was sunny and the announced temperature was over 50 degrees F.
I was tired and immigration was a slow, but pleasant process. Customs was much quicker because I only had a carry-on and was the first one through.
I went outside and caught the bus to the city and exited near the railway station. I walked about 5 to 10 minutes to the Mercure Hotel, where I would be staying. After checking in, I quickly showered and changed so I could go explore the city.
I went to the Palace of Science and Culture and stayed there for a couple of hours, looking at the exhibits and snapping many photos. Around lunch time, I walked across the street to the Hard Rock Cafe to get a meal. It is one of the nicer Hard Rocks I have visited. After lunch I went to a grocery store to shop for things I cannot get back home. I usually do this whenever I am overseas. I took the items I purchased to the hotel and the went to explore Old Town Warsaw. I stayed there until after dark and hung out at a little cafe on the square. I went back to the hotel just after 9pm and went to sleep.
The next day, I walked around Warsaw in a light rain, before heading to Okecie Airport for the LOT flight back to Chicago.
Once again, this flight was looking "iffy" but there were double flights to Chicago this day and also a couple to New York that I could get on if need be. I did get a seat and just as before, the flight was uneventful. We did arrive in Chicago over an hour late though due to strong headwinds. Immigration and customs went smooth and I was on the road to Indy within 30 minutes after landing. I arrived back home at close to 10pm.
Would I go back? Yes! I loved this city! It is so inexpensive compared to most of Europe.
Would I fly LOT again? Probably not on a long haul. The Flight Attendants were awesome! The 767 was old though and lacking modern entertainment systems. They have ordered the 787 though, so the service should get better.
Would I stay at the Mercure-Frederic Chopin again? Yes. It was only $35 with the airline discount. It was clean and close to everything.
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