Warsaw, the city of contrasts

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Warsaw Part 1

I was last in Warsaw 9 years ago! Wow that makes me sound old, or perhaps just really well travelled. It has taken me a few days to familarise myself with Warsaw and be able to acknowledge the mass changes that has taken place in city, and this country.

This city is driven strongly by consumerism, not unlike any other major capital. But it's just very noticable here. As I am staying with my friend and his housemate who speak perfect english I am being educated on the soical and policitcal ways in Warsaw and Poland. Before getting on to how beautiful the town is, because on the surface yes it's amzing but below the surface apparently not alot has changed. I believe it's still very corrupted and bribes etc often take place. Not only in general society, like police, but also within companies. This did surpise me.

But definately the Polish people are changing and why shouldn't they? They have more money more opportunities. And it will take some time for this to become the norm and for it's to settle into society. As currently it's a very compeitive society, kids wanting to greatest and latest mobile phone to show to ther're friends, bigger wedding, better car and the list goes on. I can't perhaps put into words how strong this competitveness is.

Anyway lets talk about Warsaw. It's definately the city of contrasts. The whole city was practically floored in World War II. They rebuilt the city of pictures and paintings of how it used to be. They have made it look old, so at times you are wondering is this old or made to look old? Well thats the conversation Wiktor and I often had when "I" took him on a tour of Warsaw!!

So in theory everything was built from scratch in the 1950's but they have done such a great job. There are alot of relics and old city walls still standing which they are restoring alot of right now, as they have more money to do these things.

If in Warsaw, I believe it's so important to learn about the history, especially about the Warsaw uprising. In Warsaw it's possible just to walk around, and find monuments and information when you least expect it. Sometimes it's the best way to see the city. A few sights and then the rest waking. You know me guys, I love being active!

And how am I going with speaking the language? Well I can defiantely be understood and the longer I am here the more confident I feel and the more I remember. For example I can't understand the radio news reports, but I know what the weather will be like!!
I must say I have received alot of nice compliments on how I speak, at least I can speak nice.

TBC

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Photos

Now this is it
It makes it worthwhile when you accidently get off the bus too early and have to walk 30mins to the city when you get to see this. The river Vistula and the view of old and new cities

Palace of Culture
Either love or hate it. A gift to Poland from the USSR

Old town, Warsaw
This is near the King's castle, Plac Zamkowy (King's square)

Old town square
Very beautiful. Alot of the buildings have very detailed painting on the facade

Oh almost in Paris
Yes, it looks like it could be Paris, but no it's in old town Warsaw.

Aaw Australian teddy bear!
The United Nations teddy bear exhibition. A bear representing each country recognised by the UN.

Respect for all
The most poignant bear of them all

Ghetto Uprising
Wik, in front of the momunment to the warsaw ghetto uprising

Warsaw Supreme Court
Pretty amazing, I guess you see where they spend they're money!

The Barbican
The old city walls

Contrasts
New and old in harmony in Warsaw

Pawiak Prison
This prison established in the 19th century, was used to by the Germans in WWII. These obituary notices are on display outside the prison on a dead tree.

Entrance to Pawiak Prison
As you can see either side, outside this prison they have a tombstone acknowledging every concentration camp where people died during the war

Contrasts part 2
This happened over 60 years ago and there is still visiable signs of the war. This was the Bank of Russia.

Hmm now where am i?
The best tour guide ever

The humble polish backyard
This is very sad. People mainly live in apartments here, but somehow feel having a large dog in such an apartment is okay

Comments

[Be]

Great blogs
Hi Bridgy, Keep your travel stories coming, am interested in seeing those pics of wheelchairs from Singapore when you get them. Looks like you are having a great time and yes wouldn't I rather be in sunny Warsaw then cold, drizzly Melbourne. Take care little babe. Be xo

[Jacek]

Not "Ghetto Uprising" - it's "Warsaw Uprising"
There ware 2 (!!) uprisings - 1'st small "Ghetto Uprising" inside ghetto and later - grand "Warsaw Uprising" This monument is for Warsaw Uprising.

[Dan]

Hi Bridget Warsaw looks really interesting and a real city of contrasts with some beautiful and v ugly buildings. reading your blogs is making me keener than ever to get round eastern europe. i like the informative updates as opposed to just hearing about nights on the piss. take care cheers dan