My first stop on this trip was Warsaw. I have to say a bit surprisingly. My way of transport was hitchhiking, and so I had no idea how far will I be able to get the first day. But the things were happening faster I was expecting and around 6pm I was already at rest area Żory, just after czech-polish border. It started to rain a little, so I already decided to stay overnigh there.
But that day (3rd of May) was a holiday in Poland. Parking was full of trucks, which were prohibited to drive. I decided to ask the drivers if any of them happen to go in my direction the day after. And when I was walking around with plate on which it was written "Warszawa" I see a red BMW approching me. More by the habit I raised the plate and didn't payed much attention when it rushed passing me. Then someone beeped behind my back. Still I didn't pay attention. Then beeping again, I turn around and see that same BMW and driver showing me to come closer. It turned out they were Artur and Marek, just returning back home to Warsaw from Croatia. I didn't have much to think about and joined them.
So I decided to slow down a bit and stay in the city for two days. What have I learned about the city and people?
About the name of Warsaw I heard different legends. From Mermaid, saved by two fishermen - Warsz and Sawa. Mermaid then sweared to protect the city with sword and shield. To those about a couple living in forest by Wisla river. Her name was Sawa, and once he yelled coming home: Warsz, Sawa! What should mean something like: Cook, Sawa! in some antient polish :)
Anyway, mermaid is stil city's main symbol.
But in last century Warsaw got a new symbol. That's a Palace of Culture and Science. The funny thing is that most of the residents would rather burn it to the ground. It was built shortly after second world war as a "gift" from USSR. Gift in quotes because poles had to built it with their own money. However, most of the people see it as a symbol of soviet dominace to the city...
Otherwise I found in Warsaw prety live atmosphere. Streets were full of people, but maybe also because of the nice spring weather that just started that time.
River flowing through Warsaw is Wisla. What is interesting - right side of thew river is protected like a natural park. This makes Warsaw the only capital in Europe which river is not limited with artificial channel.
Warsaw is a green city.
Additional landmark of Warsaw are also the protests. Every week against something else. This time against "faschist" government :)
At the end I can not avoid to mention some local ways to avoid huner that I tried. On the lower picture: Pierogi and kompot.
The second: beer Żiwiec and Żurek z białą kiełbasą.
And at the end: Mazurek cake
One more thing to mention. In last year, I was told, cider became very popular in Poland. But more interesting is how it happened. Poland is big apple export country. Most of the apples they exported to Russia. But because of European trade blokade to Russia, suddenly there was a huge excess. Poles made calculations that the only way to save their economy is to make every citizen to eat at least three apples per day. That's of course imposible, so they started promoting drinking cider and other apple drinks :)
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