Warszawa, Warszawa

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Warsaw, or Warszawa, is the largest city and also the capital. Unlike Krakow, it was not spared from WWII. In fact, the Nazis razed over 85% of the city. As a result, the city is not what you'd call pretty, except for a few blocks in the old town. Still, Warsaw has been one of my favorite cities so far, for atmosphere and attitude, I suppose.

There are not as many tourists here, but the people didn't stare like some did in the other towns, I guess that they have too many other things to worry about. We stayed in a really cheap hostel out of the center called "Big Blue." True enough, it was really a Big Blue building, a student polytechnical dorm, rented out in the summer. It was there that I first tried Zapiekanka- an odd dish, but great for vegetarians. It is sold along other fast food like hot dogs and hamburgers (made with real ham, not beef) and is basically a piece of french bread with cheese, mushrooms, and ketchup on it. It's cheap and good enough to say, "jeden zapiekanka prosim!"

Also in Warsaw I walked across the river Wisla, where no tourist dares to go, to Praga, the suburb that was sort of not completely destroyed, but instead of being nice old houses, it is the most rundown part. It was very interesting to see there the old soviet style, at least as interesting as the "old town," which I have seen many of. Not that I'm bragging or anything.

The very center of Warsaw is the palace of Culture and Science, a massive building built in the 50's as a "present" to Poland from the Soviet Union, it now houses movie theatres, opera houses, and a 30th floor viewing balcony that we took full advantage of.

Warsaw also offered some of the best street musicans so far, with their accordions and their moustaches. Warsaw- not just a place to visit, but a place to be. That's what I say. If that even makes sense.

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[dad]

what is your favorite language?
So far, which language do you think you would like to study?