Blog about Poland - Polish traditions, holidays, food and places worth visiting.
Poland is a beautiful and full of traditions country.
It is known for its hospitality, rich culture, breathtaking architecture and great food!
Poland ("Polska") is definitely worth seeing when travelling to Europe.
Hello everyone,
I would like to share with you this wonderful news!
I'm so fortunate to say that last month we were blessed with a beautiful Baby Boy!
We couldn't be happier!!! Welcome to this world little Jason!
I hope that you like this blue set that mama made for you ;))
It feels like a million years ago... High school field trip
Morskie Oko is one of the most popular and charming destinations when visiting Polish mountains. A must-see place.
You can get there by foot (approximately 2 1/2 hours) or enjoy a horse-drawn carriage ride.
Both are fun and you can rest assured that you will enjoy the surroundings.
The view of the lake itself is a cherry on top!
Morskie Oko is the largest lake in the Tatra Mountains (Tatry) and is located in the Tatra National Park (Tatrzanski Park Narodowy).
The name Morskie Oko can be translated as "Eye of the Sea", as one of the legends says that the lake was connected to the sea through the underground tunnel.
It used to be called "Fish Pond" (Rybi Staw) due to natural stock of fish (mainly trout), which is really rare in the Tatra lakes. However, fishing and feeding fish are not allowed.
Beautiful clear water of the lake and the view of the highest peaks of the Tatra Mountainsare breathtaking. Morskie Oko is a great starting point for those who want to reach the highest peak in the Polish Tatra Mountains - Rysy (2,499 MASL). It takes approximately 4 hours plus time for rest.
Visitors can explore different mountain trails in the area and nice walk around the lake takes less than an hour!
Hello,
It's been a while since my last blog post.
Lots of great things happened and I've been positively distracted.
Finally, I got a chance to host my brother! It's a big deal for me!
For the first time, a close family member from Poland is visiting! :o)
Imagine the distance, the Atlantic Ocean between us, the time difference and plane ticket prices!
We don't get too many chances to see each other.
We're skyping, using social network web sites, sending postcards and e-cards, texting...
I miss my family every day and I'm so grateful for today's technology, but nothing can replace face to face meetings, hugs and laughs!
Horrifying prices of the plane tickets are not the only issue for my family in Poland.
They have to deal with visas, too.
For many people it used to be a discouraging, intimidating and disappointing process (and also expensive one!).
Poland has been waiting patiently for some changes about visas. Different promises and negotiations around this topic took place. Who knows, maybe future will be brighter?...
I believe, that certain things have changed for better though - online application process, short awaiting time for the interview and no long lines in front of the US Embassy!
I was really happy for my brother that he was able to take care of everything and that visa process went really smooth.
All the instructions how to apply for a tourist visa, forms and steps that you need to take can be found on the United States Embassy web site: http://polish.poland.usembassy.gov/wizy.html
This video, prepared by the United States Embassy in Warsaw might be helpful too.
And one more thing...
Anyone travelling with a tourist visa is expected to be a tourist, doesn't have work permit and can not extend his/her stay in the United States.
I answer this kind of questions a lot. I think, that some people get a little suspicious because of the illegal immigration problem in the U.S., but I try not to get offended. I just patiently explain them "the rules" :)
This is how we like it.
With lots of tomato sauce!
"Gołąbki" (plural form) means literally "little pigeons", but don't get discouraged, it's only vocabulary :-)
"Gołąbki" is a traditional Polish dish - delicious stuffed cabbage rolls, that my husband and I, love to eat.
They are perfect, especially when I'm missing homey, comforting, Polish food.
They are known under different names in other European countries, while many people in America refer to this dish as "pigs in a blanket".
Recipe:
1-2 heads of white cabbage,
2 lbs ground beef (*if you can buy ground pork, then half and half),
1.5 cup cooked rice,
1 large onion, chopped,
2 Tbsp butter,
1 clove of garlic, chopped,
1 tsp nutmeg,
salt and pepper,
tomato sauce,
fresh or dried dill
Remove core from cabbage and place whole cabbage in a large pot with boiling water.
Cover and boil for a few minutes until the leaves get soft and are easy to peel off.
Carefully peel off individual leaves, remove hard parts (center stem) using a knife.
Chop the remaining cabbage and place it on the bottom of a casserole dish.
Fry chopped onions with butter until soft. Let cool.
Mix ground beef (and pork, if using any), fried onions, garlic, cooked rice and spices until well combined.
Form large ovals from meat and place each one on an individual cabbage leaf. Roll leaves over the meat and place cabbage rolls in a casserole dish.
Pour tomato sauce over the cabbage rolls and garnish with dill.
Bake in 350º F for 1 hour.
Serve with sauce only or with mashed potatoes on the side.
If you wish, garnish with shredded cheese (optional).
Palace on the Water
Source: Family pictures
Author: Maciej P.
Łazienki Królewskie (or Park Łazienkowski) is the largest park in Warsaw, Poland (76 hectares).
The Park is full of interesting buildings, sculptures, monuments and beautiful gardens.
It's a must-see place in Warsaw!!!
It was created in XVIII century for Polish King Stanislaw August Poniatowski.
The park-and-palace complex is located in the city center, and is considered to be the one of the most beautiful parks in Europe.
Loved by tourists and loved by locals, the Łazienki Park used to be a summer residence of the King Stanislaw August.
The name Łazienki Królewskie means literally "Royal Baths", from a bathhouse that was rebuilt and transformed into the King's Palace, known today as Palace on the Water - Pałac na Wodzieor Palace on the Island -Pałac na Wyspie.
Closer shot
Source: Family pictures
Author: Maciej P.
Roller skating, skateboarding and biking are banned in the park.
Chasing peacocks or squirrels across beautiful green grass isn't recommended either. (I know, everyone wants a snap shot of that beautiful peacock !... :-)
Squirrels - spoiled by the visitors, come close enough to get food. They might even share a bench with you, and eat nuts from your hand! Be careful though... What if you meet some crazy squirrel (crazy enough to bite you??? ;o)
Peacock - one of many in the Łazienki Park
Source: Family pictures
Author: Maciej P.
Many cultural events take place in the Łazienki Królewskie Park and the most popular are Fryderyk Chopin's Concerts, that I mentioned before in one of the older posts.
For a full history of the park, exhibits of the Royal Collections, pictures, etc. you might want to check this website: Lazienki Krolewskie.
