Melissa's Last Day in Warsaw

Mark returned to work on January 2nd, so I had one more day with Melissa.  

What to do?  Another excursion!

Warsaw has a wonderful museum honoring the men, women and children who for two months in 1944 tried to drive out the Germany army that had invaded and occupied Poland during WWII.  Below is the plaque outside the Warsaw Rising Museum, also commonly known as the Uprising Museum.

Mark and I toured this very informative museum on his one-year anniversary of living in Poland last February (2012).  I was happy to return, to re-learn and share a little of Poland's history with Melissa.

We spent a good two hours (though it could have been much longer) listening, looking and reading.

Here is one of Warsaw's most famous statues…the mermaid

Melissa with her hand-held listening guide next to a Polish flag

This tunnel is a replica of the underground sewers that the Polish people used as passageways to secretly move around the city as they prepared for and carried out the uprising.

This symbol that is a combined P and W stands for "Powstanie Warszawskie" or "Warsaw Uprising".  This symbol is seen in many parts of Warsaw…it is a emblem that honors both the people and the event of the Uprising.  This particular monument is in the middle of the museum.

We had a very good morning learning about a sad part of Warsaw's history.  But although the two months of Warsaw's past that are memorialized here ended sadly….the spirit, courage and determination of the Polish people are honored in a beautiful way.

In the evening, we walked to the Old Town area (the Rynek) to take a look at Warsaw's Christmas Market, which stays up until January 6….Three Kings Day.  

Beautiful Warsaw Rynek

This year, a lighted display of gifts was added to the base of the large Christmas tree….

….which sits in front of the Royal Palace.


Happy New Year Melissa….we have loved having you visit us in Poland, and have been spoiled by your long visit.

We can't remember when we last had 2 full weeks of Melissa time during the Christmas season…

….maybe when you were in high school!

Standing in front of the mermaid statue in the main square of the rynek.

Christmas market booths…Melissa even found a necklace to buy here.

So glad Mark is feeling better….

We also came to the rynek to eat at a Polish restaurant one more time.

Fukiera….a charming, warm restaurant...

….with great decor and delicious food.

Happy last night in Poland to our Melissa.

Tomorrow she returns to the US, and to her life as a graduate student.

Traveling to Munich and Krakow, and being home in Warsaw with Melissa during the past two weeks have been the best gift of the season!

January 3rd, departure day, came very early….I tried to not think about saying goodbye, but thought about the great memories we created together.  Ending 2012 with Melissa was a treat…and we look forward to a great new year for each of us!

Safe travels Melissa….Happy, happy new year to YOU!

Thank you for coming to see Mom and Dad…We love YOU!