Okay here is our take on Poland after a week. The bigger cities we have visited so far just north of the Slovakian border are dirty, look a little sketchy and often difficult to navigate due to road closures or re-routing. We are seeing a lot of abandoned buildings, most in total disrepair and often occupied by squatters. It often looks like something out of a war zone. The countryside is very pleasant, clean, friendly and some lovely areas to tour. The drivers here are very polite and you seldom hear a horn honking even when I am sitting at a green light day dreaming for 30 seconds. They are so polite they are borderline whussy's, driving 60 kms in a 90 zone which is very common. You certainly don't seem to see the psycho drivers you do in some European countries. Food here is ridiculously cheap and you often wonder if it is worth the time and effort to buy groceries other than to try to get a healthy meal in. They love their breads, perogies sausage and lots of other high carb foods. We love them too but we are beginning to feel the effects with the pants starting to tighten around the waist line. Seems like a large majority of the population here smokes. It is pretty disgusting when you go to a restaurant in some of these countries and people are blowing smoke in your face while your trying to enjoy your meal. Getting back to dining, you can go to a nice restaurant here and dine for $10-15 for two including wine or beer. No such thing as a free glass of water with your meal and that applies to most of Central & Eastern Europe. You will be charged for tap water and bottled water is often more than beer or pop. So the lesson here is don't drink the water, drink beer! The food in Poland is fabulous with the exception of the meal we had tonight, the first time we have been burnt since we started this trip. Should have taken the hint when there was nobody in the restaurant at prime time. Accommodation is very cheap as well. You get a beautiful room which often comes with breakfast for $40 to $60. I don't know how they do it in these countries. Gas at the pump is over $2/litre, groceries the same price or more than North America on an average wage of $400 to $500 Euro a month.
We have found that very few speak English in Poland and it has been a little challenging from time to time trying to communicate. Ordering food in a restaurant is always an adventure when the menu is in Polish. so hand signals and improvisation is quite common. It's always worth a good laugh and you often get a surprise but always in a good way. We have found the Polish people to be great sports with a big heart! All this being said, we are really enjoying our time in Poland so far.
We have found that very few speak English in Poland and it has been a little challenging from time to time trying to communicate. Ordering food in a restaurant is always an adventure when the menu is in Polish. so hand signals and improvisation is quite common. It's always worth a good laugh and you often get a surprise but always in a good way. We have found the Polish people to be great sports with a big heart! All this being said, we are really enjoying our time in Poland so far.
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