You do the Math!

The minivan arrived this week so on Saturday we drove out to our house, stopping to buy our first tank of gas in Poland. The tank was empty (shipping regulations) so this was a full purchase. The top number is the cost, in złotych, the second number is amount of fuel in liters, and the bottom number is price per liter. The exchange rate is currently floating around 2zł/$.

To calculate, use the following formula-- (Cost/2)/(Quantity/3.79)=$/gal

(hint: $9.08/gal or, $162.43 for a full tank!!!!!!!!)

Warsaw Zoo

Saturday, we decided to visit the Warsaw Zoo. We got bus directions from the hotel because the zoo is on the other side of the Wisła River and too long a walk (according to all the Burke children!). Tim was able to practice his Polish when he had to ask a fellow passenger for the correct stop.

As you can see by the nearness of the bears in these pictures, this zoo is not too terribly concerned about visitor or animal safety! When I looked on the cement just inside the wall separating the bears from the people, I could see claw marks! This exhibit is along the sidewalk of a busy road!

Bears are an important symbolic animal in Polish and Russian culture. Check out this link for information about a Polish bear "soldier" in WWII --http://beatroot.blogspot.com/2008_01_01_archive.html

The rest of the exhibits were pretty typical of a zoo that doesn't have a lot of money. While the property was lovely and spacious, the animal enclosures were a little depressing and the animals were lethargic and sad-looking. We saw the usual animals- zebras, giraffes, elephants, penguins, monkeys, etc. but nothing too impressive. The bears and all the minimal fencing were the most exciting part of the day.

Michael was disappointed there were no "real" Pandas (only a Red Panda high in a tree). Right after this, my camera battery died.

Technical Difficulties

We have been experiencing technical difficulties with our hotel internet connection since Thursday. So far, no solution has been found so we are having to use one of the hotel computers in the business area. This means I can't upload the photos and posting of our outing to the zoo today (trying to add an entry at least weekly). We can still check email but that's about it.
Our small, speedy shipment of household essentials may arrive within the next week and the minivan should be here on Wednesday. Since the house is ready for us, we may move in a week from Monday so I can blog again then (internet is already on in the house). Right now we are weighing the pros and cons of comfortable hotel living versus finally being in our own home but sleeping on the floor. We are free to wait until all our furniture arrives but it's still on a ship somewhere outside of Bremerhaven with no estimate of delivery to Warsaw.

Random Views of Warsaw

Capitalism and Communism- KFC occupies an older building with decorations that extol the virtues of the collective.

Old and New- the building in the foreground is a remnant of one of the few buildings that survivied WWII; in the background, a modern skyscraper.

American and Polish- Tim and I pose with Kasia, our Polish instructor, who happened to be vacationing in Poland this week. She took us on a walking tour of Warsaw on Saturday.

Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

Picturesque roof-line in the Old City

We are recreating a photo from our Polish language book in Plac Zamkowy in the Old City. Either I am shrinking or the kids are growing!

Market Square in Old City. After it's complete destruction in WWII, the Old City was recreated exactly. The whole area is quite lovely and popular with tourists.

Cute sign above a restaurant

This is what happens to kids who whine during a 5 mile tour of Warsaw!

Hotel Intercontinental (aka, The Burke's Place)

View of the Old City from the hotel. More details about this landmark in a later post.

Kyle and Michael enjoying the pool. As you can see, the view is tremendous.

The Palace of Culture and Science; a huge complex of offices, meeting rooms, theaters, exercise facilities, and former communist government.

I think this hotel has been open for only 2-3 years and, at 43+ floors, it seems to be about the tallest building in Warsaw. We are directly across the street from the Palace of Culture and Science, a "gift" from Stalin to the Polish people in 1955. Currently, the palace holds a position of scorn, hatred, and bad memories yet it has also come to symbolize the progress of the Polish people since the end of communism so it's a controversial and infamous landmark.

Every morning we eat at the huge breakfast buffet and every afternoon the kids like to swim in the pool on the 43rd floor. In the early evening, Tim and I like to go to the business floor for hors d'oeurves, wine, and a little peace and quiet.

Since we are located in the center of town, we walk everywhere or take a bus, metro, or tram. The embassy is a 30 minute walk and we can find groceries near-by in any direction.

We'll be here until at least the end of July but since we are so comfortable, we don't mind. We have plenty of space, comfy beds, insulated quiet, internet, a washing machine, mesmerizing views, and maid service- life is good!

Chopin in the Park

Every Sunday during the summer, world-famous pianists give free concerts of Chopin music in Łazienki Park. Chopin is from Poland and the Poles celebrate this citizen with fanatical patriotism. Tim and I were exploring the walk from our hotel to the embassy today and decided to continue on to the park to enjoy the concert. The weather was perfect- high 70's, dry, and breezy. We bought a quart of raspberries from a street vendor and settled under a shade tree to listen. The park was full of people strolling on a Sunday afternoon and several thousand had gathered around the pool and statue of Chopin to listen, too.

American Chamber of Commerce Fourth of July Party

Only our second day yet already at our third function- I'm going to wear out my party shoes! Evidently there is an American Chamber of Commerce in Warsaw that acts as a go-between to assist American companies that want to move into Poland. Today they had their annual Fourth of July party for all the local Americans, companies, and community leaders. It was just like any American fair you might attend- face painting, balloon animals, bouncy rides, and food. McDonalds, Pepsi, and Jim Bean were there handing out free food and drinks. In the second photo, Katy and Kyle are meeting the US Ambassador, Victor Ashe, for the first time.

But the best part, according to the kids, were the Segway rides! Watch the videos to see K and K try their skills!

Michael (blue and white shirt coming down the slide) thought the giant slide was the best part!

We made it to Poland! Everyone stayed awake through the first flight but then Michael and Kyle slept from Frankfurt to Warsaw. Once we arrived at the hotel, Kyle and I slept for two hours. Katy remained awake the longest until she crashed while sitting on the window sill, as you can see in the photo.

I already emailed the details of the trip and our first day so I won't repeat that here; I just thought it was funny that we couldn't find Katy until we looked behind the drapes.