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Published: July 29th 2011
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Well, I slept like a rock last night - woke up at 9h, rolled over it was 11h30ish, then it was 12h50. Yep, definitely good to go. Time to get up!
As I sat on my bed pondering how to find the clothes in my backpack that I wanted to wear today, I notice two guys walk by my window. Can you say creepy??
(I should note that theyre doing construction on thehostel, and I knew the scaffolding was there. Also, there is no blind to my room.) Good thing I wasn't getting dressed... although I couldn't help but also find it creepy that they could see my sleep if they so chose to. I do have locked windows though - so no worries.
Anywho. I trekked down the stairs and headed out for lunch in Old Town. I ate at a nice cafe-like place - it was a burger-like thing on a baguette, tasted great!
I spent most of my day just walking along the main street (ul. Dluga) and exploring the churches and other old buildings. Gdansk is a wonderful city - very old, but extremely well kept.
The churches are all lovely,
but I particularly enjoyed St. Mary's Church (aka Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary). It is immense - apparently the largest brick church in Europe - and the statues and stain-glass inside are beautiful and intricate. There were a few dedications to Pope John Paull II.
Dluga isn't a particularly long street, but I went up and down a few times just to take in the atmosphere. It's neat to people watch, and it's equally entertaining to watch some of the street performers and vendors. I think one of my favourite was watching a sad-looking Minnie the Mouse, who literally was walking with her head down low. Poor Minnie, no Mickey to love?
I walked along the river for a bit, and listened to two men playing the fiddle and the accordian while a group of old lady-tourists starting dancing some kind of jig. That was cute =) And there was a fountain area where spurts of water would randomly come up, so the kids were running in and out of the fountain trying to beat the water - some were more succesful than others.
Supper was amazing!! I went to Pierogarnia U Dzika for some pierogies,
and they did not disappoint! I just got traditional ones - pork - but I may return later in my trip to try something else. The portions were large enough, well worth the price.
What else... hm, I went hunting for some Gdansk souvenirs. And I believe I ws cursed at in Polish, or at least they were quite unhappy with me. Determined to get some change
(another sidenote, ATMs suck. I pulled out 800 zloty for my time in Poland, approx $280, and it gives me all 100s and 2 50s. That's like going to a small shop and using a $100 bill to buy a $3 item. THANKS ATM) I went to a pharmacy and bought something that was 5 zloty with a 50 zloty bill. Oh my goodness, the look I got haha. Death. But I got some change.
Determined to find a better place for change... ahem... I found my saviour. Yes, ladies and gentlemen not only is McDonald's the place to go for free internet, it has now become my place to break large bills! No scowls. No grumbling. Just a smile as you pay for your ice cream with a
large bill. Yes, I am lovin' it.
Now that I have change, I can happily go on my way in Poland. Minus the fact it's supposed to rain for practically the entire time I'm here... but whatever, that's what umbrellas are for =)
I've also apparently adopted a stray cat friend. I've seen the same one each and every time I've walked around a particular park. I'm up 5x, let's see how many times I see him tomorrow.
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Wolf Zimmermann
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Gdansk (Danzig) Euro 2012
I'am proud that a few of the games of Euro2012 shall be in Gdansk, my city where I'am born in 1939 ! Good Luck !