December Days in Poland

Today (December 21st) is officially the first day of winter so I thought it appropriate to post pictures of winter and Christmas sights we have seen in and around the city of Warsaw for the past few weeks and since our return from our trip to the warm US states.

This beautiful Christmas tree stands in front of the Royal Palace. Mark and I took a tour of the palace on my birthday in June. The tree is very lovely and quite a striking sight to see!

We took to the streets on the 2nd weekend in December and we were not alone....though cold outside the streets were filled with people shopping, looking and enjoying the beautiful lights that Warsaw has displayed.

In front of the Cultural Palace (across the street from where Mark works) is a Christmas market. It was cold outside but fun to see how the Polish people decorate at this time of year and what they have offered for people to buy.

Mark enjoyed some hot chocolate and I just enjoyed staying warm.

Here is a lit tree in the esplanade between the Cultural Palace and the Central Train Station next to Mark's office. Since darkness arrives by 3:30pm we can enjoy the lights quite early and for a number of hours here.

Decorated trees are on the streets, by stores, in malls, and in restaurants and buildings. Most Polish people do not decorate their own trees and homes until Dec. 24th...but the city does a nice job in creating a festive spirit with their lights and trees much earlier.

We ate a simple meal at one of the restaurants in Old Town and here was a little tree decorated in the entry way. So many of the decorations are similar to what we might see in the US while other decorations are quite different.

We arrived in Old Town early in the afternoon but since it gets dark so early we were able to enjoy the lights soon after arriving.

 This tree is in Old Town...it looks as if the lights are falling down from the tree though you can't really see it in this picture.

In Old Town, there is a mermaid statue (one of the symbols of Warsaw)...she is atop a pedestal that is decorated with this blue light display. 

In Old Town we also saw a manger scene depicting the birth of Jesus. 

Here we are walking on a beautifully lit street... Krakowskie Przedmiescie...it runs between Old Town and one of the main streets, Al. Jerozolimskie (Jerusalem Avenue). It was a cold night but there were crowds of people just like us outside and about. I think if we had been in Houston with these temps not many people would have been out and about.

The trees look pretty during the daytime also.

Trees line the walkway outside the mall next to Mark's office. The Saturn sign is for a store inside the mall...a store similar to Best Buy.  Only problem....I usually have a hard time finding someone that speaks English.  But I have successfully printed pictures there!

A beautiful tree inside the Sadyba Best Mall, across the street from my orthodontist. It is a small mall but still beautifully decorated.

We have enjoyed shopping, going to parties, and seeing experiencing the holidays in Poland. It has been cold - in the high 20s to low 30s.  But for Poles those temperatures are extraordinarily warm for December.  And until last night (December 20), there was no snow.  The Polish people don't particularly like the winters....but they want snow in December and especially for Christmas!

We left the Young Single Adult Christmas dinner last night to snow falling...most Polish members were thrilled! So....we just might be getting snow for this weekend's Christmas! 

The picture above is as we were driving into our neighborhood...actually I am driving! Mark wanted me to have more experience and so as I drove in he shot this picture.

Here I am after we parked our car...we back it into our garage. I am standing in the street in front of our home. So on the eve of the first day of winter we have snow! 

 This morning we woke up to a light covering of snow in our backyard, porch, trees and patio furniture! We are wondering if this will be a common sight for the next 4 months...white and green are quite lovely and the view continues to be quite beautiful from inside of our home!