Wroclaw Poland

Pronounced vrotsauve...  About a 4 hour drive from Warsaw on mostly two lane highway throu many small towns. City limit speed zones start with a silhouette of an urban skyscape, no number indicated.    After about 3 hours we turned onto a super highway with 120 km speed limit. The last half hour into Wroclaw went quickly.  We followed the GPS directions to the city centre, medieval in design, very narrow cobblestone streets.  Craig did a great job navigating and taking us to the underground parking garage. Julia found the apartment rental office. We pulled our luggage over cobblestones to find the building.  What an adventure.  The city square is very large surrounded by tall narrow restored buildings, some very colorful, others beautifully decorated, still others, lovely old brick. The square is cornered on two sides by cathedrals with soaring spires.
Up a narrow stair case to suites 6 and 7: I have my own bachelor. Julia, Craig, Colin and Laura in a two bedroom.  We dropped off the bags and went to explore.  A bubble maker surrounded with children filled a large section of the square. The kids had a great time chasing bubbles.  The square's fountain was ultra modern, a contrast with the medieval buildings and cobblestones.

We had dinner at an Italian restaurant that was very good, then made our way back via. corner store marked with a frog, apparently a chain in Poland.  A few groceries, ice ream (Kit Kat drumstick!) for the kids and we returned to our rooms.  Time for a shower and a rest until tomorrow!

Warsaw, Poland - on vacation!

August 20, 2013, first stop Calgary, then Amsterdam and finally Warsaw on the 21st!  That was the itinerary and I made it!  My sister and brother in law dropped me off at the Victoria airport about 5:15 a.m. For the 7 a.m. Flight.  My dear friend, Helen, and her husband picked me up in Calgary to help pass the time between flights. They took me to Lou and Phyl's, her brother and sister on law for a lovely visit.  Lou was my grade 10 science teacher in 1961 at River Glen in Red Deer.  He wanted me to meet his sister the summer of 1962 because she was coming to Red Deer for Grade 11. We've been great friends ever since.

Back to yyc for my 3:40 flight on KLM.  8 hours later I was in Europe for the first time.  My row mate was a woman from Croatia who had been visiting her daughter and three grand children in Calgary - "speak English, no." She said right away. We were able to communicate a bit. Landed in Amsterdam and after about an hour and a half, I was on another flight, the final one to Warsaw.  Craig, Colin and Laura were waiting for me. How wonderful to see them.  Julia got home from work about 2 hours later. All was well!

Thursday, Julia went to work. The kids, Craig and I walked over or Willanow palace, an amazing complex, pictures will follow.  We had a lovely lunch then home so I could nap!  Julia and I went to an amazing concert, one of many during Chopin and his Europe music festival, the 9th annual.  We heard two remarkable artists, pianist, Ewa Poblocka and Ewa Podles, a world renowned contralto. (Ewa is pronounced Eva in Polish). What a lovely evening!

Friday, Julia went to work!  Craig, Colin and Laura and I went to a shopping centre. I had a nap 😴and then Julia came home. She's now on vacation and tomorrow we're going on a road trip!

More to follow!