A Birthday Celebration

A Saturday birthday celebration can always be fun...but being in a new country made this birthday quite memorable...and being with Mark the whole day was wonderful!

Happy Birthday to Me...this is a view from our backyard and after a rain shower.

We walked from the Metro line towards Old Town, en route we passed this monument...it is one of many honoring those who died during the Warsaw Uprising.

We approach Old Town and once again see St. Ann's Church. We climbed the tower to the left of the church and had a great view of Old Town, surrounding areas and modern Warsaw as well.

We climbed 148 steps to get to the top.

We were treated with a great view of the city. Behind Mark is the Vistula River (longest river in Poland) it is facing the north east direction.

It's a bit windy up here...but what a great view of Old Town (the historical center of Warsaw), The Royal Castle (behind me to the right) and a view of one of the oldest areas in Poland.

WWII and 1944 brought unbelievable destruction. Hitler was outraged at the fighting during the Warsaw Uprising and the "Polish peoples will to survive"... so he decided to punish the city by wiping it off the map of Europe. 90% of the city was in ruins.

Eisenhower commented and was visibly moved on seeing the city, " I have seen many towns destroyed, but nowhere have I been faced with such destruction." The reconstruction took many years, but it is a tribute to the Polish people and their spirit.

Starting to descend the 148 steps...and the climb down was much easier compared to going up!

We took a self-guided tour of The Royal Castle (large building at right with a tower clock)... it originated during the 14th century...and "blossomed" during the late 1700's with the Polish monarch, King Stanislaw August Poniatowski...(try saying that name quickly!).

The building and interior items have seen a lot of destruction over the years, and once again the donations of Poles throughout the country recreated and reconstructed this important part of their history. The reconstruction work only ended in 2009.

We found another Polish restaurant...we didn't eat outside .....it was starting to rain again. Our waiter wanted us to try an appetizer (so we consented)...he recommended "pickled cucumbers". I was thinking of sliced cucumbers in a dressing of some kind...what he brought out were a container of "pickles"! I am not a fan of pickles but I was in Poland...so I tried them...they tasted like American pickles to me... BUT the bread was fabulous!

I found out that I actually ordered for lunch a traditional Polish meal: breaded pork chops and herbed mash potatoes! Mark once again ordered something more exotic...

...Polish sausage filled with plums...he also had mashed potatoes and cole slaw. We thought the meal was great...though service quite slow. We didn't realize that the wait staff would not call our main order in until we finished the appetizer (breads, pickles, etc). We would have stopped eating long before if we had only known.

We asked where the restrooms were...this is what I found when I went downstairs... two doors one with a triangle and the other a circle. I was to figure out which was the male and female doors! Are you kidding me? I opened the door with the circle and found rolls of toilet paper in a basket each one with a colored ribbon tied around it... I figured that must be the female room. I'm not sure what I would have found if I had opened the other door!

Mark bought me a bouquet of flowers from someone at the steps of the Metro...they are still just as beautiful 2 days later.

We had a great Saturday birthday on the streets of Warsaw...a day to remember for the Picketts in Poland!

Hot Chocolate in June?

Tonight we went to the Fountain Park with some of Mark's co-workers and enjoyed a relaxing evening. It is a new exhibit in Warsaw, located north of New Town and has just opened last month. It is a multimedia fountain park with lights, music and a lot of water! It lasts about 25 min. and is displayed only on Fri/Sat. evenings.

We found a place to watch on a hill and had a great view of the water and fountains. Do you see how light it is? This is just about 9:30pm!

From L to R: Kasia (Mark's co-worker) her husband Tim and sweet daughter Roza. They are from Poland. Kasia and Tim speak English and Polish but little Roza only Polish. I tried to impress her with a few words I knew in Polish...the good thing...she understood me! Claire (also a co-worker of Mark's) is from Scotland. We enjoyed being together! Claire even said she would go with me to see Harry Potter in July....yea! I won't have to wait until it comes out in a dvd format to see it.

The evening was cool so we wore jackets as we walked and rode the Metro and tram. When the event was over we walked through New Town and decided a cup of hot chocolate would be delicious and soothing. We think the temps were in the 50's.

We found a place called Czytadlo and had some delicious hot chocolate!

I don't think we have ever had hot chocolate in June and doubt if we've worn jackets in June either.

What a nice evening...walking, good conversations, seeing Warsaw at night and hot chocolate in June!

It's a Holiday...Corpus Christi in Poland

Today is a public and religious holiday in Poland...Corpus Christi. As a result, all offices, stores, malls and businesses were closed. We took a few hours and returned to Old Town...just a walk and 10 Metro stops away.

Once again we ate outside for lunch and these were the flowers next to me....they were gorgeous! Flowers are everywhere in Poland during the summer!

We returned to Old Town thinking we would see one of the religious processions that occur during Corpus Christi...we were amongst many many people and did see someone praying but were a bit too late for the processions.

This is St. Ann's Church with a large picture of Pope John Paul on the outside. It is one of the first sites you see as you enter Old Town. Normally you can enter and tour the buildings, churches and sites...but because of the holiday all were closed.

The cobblestone streets and sidewalks are quite beautiful.

Here is a group of people gathering around someone speaking about Christ...not sure what he was saying as it was all in Polish...but a large group gathered around and listened.

Our restaurant choice today... Delicja Polska! The food was delicious and to be able to eat outside again was wonderful!

Once again I am not very daring with my selections...grilled chicken with Cesar salad and a roll.

It was a great meal! Something I've noticed in Poland...their serving sizes are just right for me!

Mark ordered trout with some vegetables...inside the trout was a mixture of pasta, herbs and lots of butter! Mark is looking at people who are walking by and looking at his plate...he thought that was quite funny!

As you can see...Mark licked the platter clean...he only left the bones on his fish!

We were gone only 4 hours and enjoyed being out on a summer day...though the shops were closed it was fun being amongst the throngs of other tourists and Polish citizens. Looking forward to another trip here this weekend for my Saturday birthday adventure....

Time for a haircut...in Poland!

Mark is getting ready for me to cut his hair!

Since moving to Poland Mark has said that I would be cutting his hair once I arrived....I have dreaded doing this task! The last time I cut someone's hair was when Jamie was almost 1 year old and he was sitting on my lap...that was over 25 years ago!

About 5 months ago, I watched our hairdresser cut Mark's hair...I even took notes and drew pictures! Mark has such confidence in me...I was willing but nervous!

Success....the job is complete! I made a few errors but Mark was so kind..."It will grow back...not a big deal!"

Week 1 in Poland

I can hardly believe we have been in Warsaw a week! The time has flown by so quickly!

Our air shipment arrived and 200 lbs was put away so quickly...we are looking forward to getting the rest of our shipment soon...maybe even next week.

I have learned to wash and dry clothes, use the dishwasher, ride the Metro without Mark and even buy something at the store solo ( I bought a small bag of M&M's .... I thought I surely could do that without difficulty). I did okay, gave more than enough money but when the cashier continued to speak in Polish...I was flustered but smiled. I walked away with change and M&M's so I must have been successful!

We have been to the grocery store a couple of times. We do not have a car at this time so we do a lot of walking...the steps and exercise are good for us and I really don't mind.

The first 24-36 hours were a bit challenging when I could not find what I needed...basics...clothing to wear, contacts, etc. but then I had the thought...think of what I do like here...so some of the things I do like about Poland...

1. Love the view of my backyard (green, trees, homes)

2. Quiet neighborhood...though there are children's voices, and music that make me smile

3. The feel of the water running on my hands

4. A clean and spacious home

5. Beautiful neighborhood

6. Have met very nice neighbors (one family is from France and the other from Scotland)

7. The people I've met from church, and Mark's work are very kind

8. Recognizing a few Polish words and phrases when I hear the tv, radio, or people talking

9. Getting so much rest! I am amazed at how much I am sleeping...maybe my body is trying to catch up from the past 4 months.

10. Being together with Mark after our 4 months apart!

Today Mark and I attended a special 20 year anniversary celebration for the dedication for the only chapel in Warsaw and all of Poland for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

It took riding the Metro, taxi and tram to get to and from the Wolska Chapel. I'm so glad we attended ...being able to see this building (though we do not attend church here each week) and knowing this is where the church began here was good. The chapel is next to a beautiful wooded park and we enjoyed a picnic lunch of Polish hotdogs and kielbasas (sausage) after the meeting. They serve their hotdogs in a breaded holder and the food was delicious!

This is the park and wooded area next to the Wolska Chapel...so green and beautiful!

Happy Anniversary to Us...June 14, 2011

We celebrated our 31st wedding anniversary in Warsaw, Poland! We took a city bus/van and toured the city for 3-4 hours. We saw numerous sites, parks, landmarks and monuments. We saw only the "tip of the iceberg" but it was a great tour and a beginning to all of the learning soon to come.

Birthplace and Home of Madame Curie...

We are between the Old and New Towns...Old Town was about 600 years old and New Town was 200...all pretty much destroyed during WWII but they have done a good job in trying to recreate what these areas were like before their destruction.

This is the area I want to return to on my birthday in a few weeks. We only had time to walk quickly through the area...there were flowers, places to eat, things to buy...it will be fun to return to and really spend time here.

We ate at a wonderful Polish restaurant that Mark had been to before on business. The food was delicious and we loved eating outdoors on a June afternoon.

Mark ate boar and I had pork loin and vegetables. I recognized the names of most items on my

choice of selection...Mark was more creative with his selection. All were good! Love the Apple Cake...you can tell from the picture below that Mark enjoys the cake too.

This is the President of Poland's residence...the Presidential Palace. This is where he and his wife live. Much like the White House but he only lives here and works in another location. There was a ceremony taking place while we were here...honoring "presidential guards" in training. Unlike the U.S. we did not see the media anywhere.

The arena in the background is for the 2012 Euro Cup. Poland is hosting this event next year...a very big deal to soccer fans.

A monument honoring thousands of Poles who were relocated and killed by the Stalin regime after WW II. Poland has a lot of tragedy in her history...it will be good to learn and understand in order to better understand the people.

A statue honoring Chopin...he was born and lived in Poland but also lived away for 20+ years before he died at 39 years. Every 5 years the Chopin Music Festival takes place here and it is a big deal...the Polish are very proud of their native musician... Frederic Chopin. (there were many field trips taking place...much like in the U.S.)

During our tour lots and lots of teenagers and children in and around the parks... end of the year activities as school ends next week here in Poland.

Our anniversary adventure in and around the city was great! Loved being together and learning so much about Warsaw and Poland!