Friday, July 24, 2009
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Krutynia
Last Sunday I spent the day in Mazurian territory. Krutynia to be more exact. It was my first time in this part of Poland and I have to admit that I enjoyed it immensley. I can't wait to go back.
We left around 5 am, and after a three hour drive and 200km, we arrived ready to pick up our kayaks and head for the water. Luckily we got there in time, from 120 kayaks there were only 7 left and it was only 8am. We took four, packed our stuff and were driven to our starting position.
The aim for the day was to cover 21km down the Krutynia River. This time there was no flowing with the river, we had to paddle hard. We passed many camping sites, tourists paying a visit to the Mazurian Lakes, and many mini bars waiting to serve exhausted and hungry travellers. If you like oily and fatty meals while you're away than you have a choice of 'placki ziemniaczane' (potato fritter) or 'naleśniki' (crepes). 'Flaki' (tripe soup), hamburgers and hot chips were also on the menu. I have to be honest I stuck to my home made sandwich and only got a black coffee but all my friends devoured everything they had ordered and claimed it was delicious. It probably was, Polish food usually is but for me it's a little bit too hearty to consume in the summer. The other option was sausages and 'kaszanka' (blood sausage) off the barbecue.
Five hours later we reached the finishing line just as it was starting to rain. We hid under the cover of a 'Karczma' and waited for our transport to arrive. We didn't have to wait long, the company we used was efficient and well organised. In Krutyn most of the residents have kayaks for hire, so there's little chance of missing out.
Krutyn is great whether you're taking a day trip, long weekend or an extended stay.
We left around 5 am, and after a three hour drive and 200km, we arrived ready to pick up our kayaks and head for the water. Luckily we got there in time, from 120 kayaks there were only 7 left and it was only 8am. We took four, packed our stuff and were driven to our starting position.
The aim for the day was to cover 21km down the Krutynia River. This time there was no flowing with the river, we had to paddle hard. We passed many camping sites, tourists paying a visit to the Mazurian Lakes, and many mini bars waiting to serve exhausted and hungry travellers. If you like oily and fatty meals while you're away than you have a choice of 'placki ziemniaczane' (potato fritter) or 'naleśniki' (crepes). 'Flaki' (tripe soup), hamburgers and hot chips were also on the menu. I have to be honest I stuck to my home made sandwich and only got a black coffee but all my friends devoured everything they had ordered and claimed it was delicious. It probably was, Polish food usually is but for me it's a little bit too hearty to consume in the summer. The other option was sausages and 'kaszanka' (blood sausage) off the barbecue.
Five hours later we reached the finishing line just as it was starting to rain. We hid under the cover of a 'Karczma' and waited for our transport to arrive. We didn't have to wait long, the company we used was efficient and well organised. In Krutyn most of the residents have kayaks for hire, so there's little chance of missing out.
Krutyn is great whether you're taking a day trip, long weekend or an extended stay.
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Warsaw's KDT Hall
Warsaw just doesn't know how to get it right. Today Marszałkowska Street, in Centrum, was saturated with protesters, onlookers, police in armour and rowdy security guards. KDT (a hall with discount shopping) was being shut down and all the sellers were asked, maybe demanded, to take their stock and disappear.
Disappear where?
Had they not been given an alternative venue to run their business?
According to the President of Warsaw, they had, but they had failed to respond to the options given to them. Were these alternatives adequate or were these innocent people whose jobs were secured in the KDT hall.
The city of Warsaw claims that the area will be used for the metro system (there are already two entry & exit points) and they plan to build a future museum – there's enough museums in Warsaw, instead they should focus on restoring and modernising the present ones. Warsaw's Museum of Technology in the Palace of Culture and Science leaves much to be desired, it's at least twenty years behind.
Priorities are not straight in Warsaw. People do not take priority. Instead they are treated worse than animals and when harm is done to them, there's no one to come to the rescue.
Warsaw may be the capital of Poland but it sure isn't the leading or most prosperous one. The decisions made by Parliament and other governing bodies are questionable to say the least. My question is what are they really trying to achieve because it sure doesn't look like they want to help anyone but themselves.
If you don't have money, you don't have a say. Without the right income you can forget about health, education and a normal standard of living.
Disappear where?
Had they not been given an alternative venue to run their business?
According to the President of Warsaw, they had, but they had failed to respond to the options given to them. Were these alternatives adequate or were these innocent people whose jobs were secured in the KDT hall.
The city of Warsaw claims that the area will be used for the metro system (there are already two entry & exit points) and they plan to build a future museum – there's enough museums in Warsaw, instead they should focus on restoring and modernising the present ones. Warsaw's Museum of Technology in the Palace of Culture and Science leaves much to be desired, it's at least twenty years behind.
Priorities are not straight in Warsaw. People do not take priority. Instead they are treated worse than animals and when harm is done to them, there's no one to come to the rescue.
Warsaw may be the capital of Poland but it sure isn't the leading or most prosperous one. The decisions made by Parliament and other governing bodies are questionable to say the least. My question is what are they really trying to achieve because it sure doesn't look like they want to help anyone but themselves.
If you don't have money, you don't have a say. Without the right income you can forget about health, education and a normal standard of living.
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Where: Bory Tucholskie, Poland
Kujawsko-Pomorski Region of Poland
What: 238km Kayak Route (it's not necessary to do the complete route, you can start almost anywhere along the route as long as you have organised transport. Once you reach your destination and are ready to go home, you can call the transport company which will come and pick up your kayak.
The river starts at Świeszyno and flows down to Bydgoszcz.
Attractions: Charming 'Piekiełko', situated 3km from Tuchola, it's one of the nicest parts along the route. It has a natural habitat and is touched by the sun that makes it almost magical and serene. Along the route there are a few obstacles in the form of rocks and fallen trees but they can be passed with a bit of paddling and manouvering you can get across. The flaura and fauna is also something not to be missed, Piekiełko with five 700 year old oaks (dąb s / dęby pl).
Gołąbek, which runs along 3.5km of the route is rich in flaura and fauna, wild life and bird life, and is one of the cleanest rivers there. If you've been travelling for long, there's a camping ground here where you can stay for about 7 zloty per person (about US$2).
Flaura & Fuana: borówka bagienna, mącznica lekarska, bożyca czarna, wierzba lapońska, chamedafne północna, żurawina drobnolistkowa, wyblina jednolistnego, wątlika błotnego, grzybieni północnych, and much more.
Wildlife: bóbr (beaver), jeleń (deer m), sarna (deer f), łoś (elk, moose), daniel (fallow deer), dzik (wild boar), ryś (lynx), wilk (wolf), lis (fox), kuna leśna (marten), tchórz (polecat), łasica (weasel), wydra (otter), wiewiórka (squirrel), myszki leśne (forest mouse), zając szary (grey hare), cietrzew (black grouse), dzięcioł (woodpecker), bażant (pheasant), kuropatwa (partridge), myszołowa (buzzard), jastrząb (hawk), krogulec (sparrowhawk), gołąb (dove), orzeł (eagle), sokół (falcon), puchacz (eagle owl), sowa (owl f).
Accommodation: camping sites start at about 7 zloty (about US$2), including your tent. Facilities are usually portable toilets, a spot for a fire and a water pump. In certain places there will be a shop to purchase necessities like food, drink, toilet paper, etc.
private rooms can cost around 30 zloty (about US$10) per night
hotels upwards from 30 zloty per night.
Kujawsko-Pomorski Region of Poland
What: 238km Kayak Route (it's not necessary to do the complete route, you can start almost anywhere along the route as long as you have organised transport. Once you reach your destination and are ready to go home, you can call the transport company which will come and pick up your kayak.
The river starts at Świeszyno and flows down to Bydgoszcz.
Attractions: Charming 'Piekiełko', situated 3km from Tuchola, it's one of the nicest parts along the route. It has a natural habitat and is touched by the sun that makes it almost magical and serene. Along the route there are a few obstacles in the form of rocks and fallen trees but they can be passed with a bit of paddling and manouvering you can get across. The flaura and fauna is also something not to be missed, Piekiełko with five 700 year old oaks (dąb s / dęby pl).
Gołąbek, which runs along 3.5km of the route is rich in flaura and fauna, wild life and bird life, and is one of the cleanest rivers there. If you've been travelling for long, there's a camping ground here where you can stay for about 7 zloty per person (about US$2).
Flaura & Fuana: borówka bagienna, mącznica lekarska, bożyca czarna, wierzba lapońska, chamedafne północna, żurawina drobnolistkowa, wyblina jednolistnego, wątlika błotnego, grzybieni północnych, and much more.
Wildlife: bóbr (beaver), jeleń (deer m), sarna (deer f), łoś (elk, moose), daniel (fallow deer), dzik (wild boar), ryś (lynx), wilk (wolf), lis (fox), kuna leśna (marten), tchórz (polecat), łasica (weasel), wydra (otter), wiewiórka (squirrel), myszki leśne (forest mouse), zając szary (grey hare), cietrzew (black grouse), dzięcioł (woodpecker), bażant (pheasant), kuropatwa (partridge), myszołowa (buzzard), jastrząb (hawk), krogulec (sparrowhawk), gołąb (dove), orzeł (eagle), sokół (falcon), puchacz (eagle owl), sowa (owl f).
Accommodation: camping sites start at about 7 zloty (about US$2), including your tent. Facilities are usually portable toilets, a spot for a fire and a water pump. In certain places there will be a shop to purchase necessities like food, drink, toilet paper, etc.
private rooms can cost around 30 zloty (about US$10) per night
hotels upwards from 30 zloty per night.
Monday, July 13, 2009
Weekend of Kayaking
The River Brda
This swan was swimming alone and moved into the tall grass when it saw us approaching. We were lucky to see a few of them along the way.
My boyfriend working hard paddling down the river I took photos. I can't go anywhere without the camera, even when I risk losing it in the water.
Our camping site. There were about one hundred people who were also kayaking throughout the weekend. I hadn't slept in a tent in years. Unfortunately we forgot to take a blanket and only had one sleeping bag, but we managed to get through the night. Next time we'll be better prepared.
We enjoyed a short break and snack halfway through the first day. A couple of people had an unfortunate splash and fell out of the kayak into the cold water. Only a bottle of Nestle was lost.
This tree had been attacked by a beaver and we couldn't help ourselves. The tree was at least ten metres high, and it was amazing that it was still standingThursday, July 9, 2009
One Polish Summer Day
It's summer. Hot, humid and sunny.
And than it rained.
The weather here is so twisted. It's worse than a woman on PMS. Today it felt like a combination of summer, spring and winter. The wind blew like crazy, I had to fight with my umbrella on the way home from the train station, rain poured from all directions.
Ten minutes later, the sun shone and if it wasn't for the puddles and grumpy faces, you wouldn't know it had rained.
Twenty minutes later, the horrid weather reappeared.
By five o'clock, the sun was shining bright, forcing me to squint as the sunglasses stayed at home, and it was summer once again. Gotta love Polish summer. Let's hope it stays nice and warm for tomorrow and the weekend, I'm supposed to be going kayaking.
And than it rained.
The weather here is so twisted. It's worse than a woman on PMS. Today it felt like a combination of summer, spring and winter. The wind blew like crazy, I had to fight with my umbrella on the way home from the train station, rain poured from all directions.
Ten minutes later, the sun shone and if it wasn't for the puddles and grumpy faces, you wouldn't know it had rained.
Twenty minutes later, the horrid weather reappeared.
By five o'clock, the sun was shining bright, forcing me to squint as the sunglasses stayed at home, and it was summer once again. Gotta love Polish summer. Let's hope it stays nice and warm for tomorrow and the weekend, I'm supposed to be going kayaking.
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
An Indirect Uni Experience
Walking into the noisy hall my senses are bombarded with students voices – low, high pitched, in the midst of laughter or a yell. Everyone is talking over one another, but being in Poland, this should not come as a surprise. The commotion is due to the fact that it's the end of the school year, for some it's the end of a chapter in their lives that they are to dearly miss.
My partner is one of these people, he has just spent the past three months working on his dissertation. After 95 pages, and many late nights, it's finally done. We arrive in hope and anticipation that he can finally submit the professionally bounded document, be given a date to defend it – answer questions in front of a board – and feel a sense of relief that it's finished, that soon he will have his diploma and he can move on.
If only it was that simple.
First he has to stand in line, three actually, each crowded with thirty plus students there for the same thing. It's hot outside and I can feel sweat running down my spine, there's no air conditioning and outside it's close to 30 degrees. The multitude of bodies standing side by side, in front or behind each other is only intensifying the heat. The queue continues, pretty boys try to push in, thinking they are too good to stand in line, but no one dares to tell them to head back in line, it reminds me of the tuck shop line (school canteen) back in secondary school with students waiting and pushing in for their pies and sausage rolls.
We progress to the window forty minutes later only to be informed that there's even more paperwork to complete, documents to sign and stamp. Red tape. There's plenty of it here. Everything works against the citizen, student, patient, parent, employer, pupil, teacher. No one has discovered that if you help someone out and make their life easier, you are in fact also helping yourself.
I like to think that things will change. That future students and citizens are going to have it easier. More sweat trickles down my thigh as I stand in the queue for the cashiers desk while my partner rushes to the library to sign off that there's no overdue books (if there he might not get his diploma), and to sign off his practicals, even though they have little relation to his degree. I've come across this before, where psych graduates are working in accounting and handyman as bakers. I suppose everyone here goes for whatever they can get.
Two hours later we're back at home, sending emails to satisfy the schools requirements in relation to even more documents. He will have to go back and go through it all again. Stand in the lines, chase up his grades, paperwork and anything else that he needs in order to fulfil expectations, requirements, and graduate.
Two days later it's all submitted. I breath easier. I swear I've been stressing and worrying more than he has. I'm proud of him. After months of hard work it's all done, and now we can both relax.
I've been thinking about going to do a Masters degree in Warsaw as they offer courses in English, my Polish is advanced but not advanced enough to complete two years of university and pass. This experience, however, is making me rethink the issue. Unless I can find a university that is computer orientated, has organisational skills and is with the times, I will bypass the idea and wait till I return to Australia.
My partner is one of these people, he has just spent the past three months working on his dissertation. After 95 pages, and many late nights, it's finally done. We arrive in hope and anticipation that he can finally submit the professionally bounded document, be given a date to defend it – answer questions in front of a board – and feel a sense of relief that it's finished, that soon he will have his diploma and he can move on.
If only it was that simple.
First he has to stand in line, three actually, each crowded with thirty plus students there for the same thing. It's hot outside and I can feel sweat running down my spine, there's no air conditioning and outside it's close to 30 degrees. The multitude of bodies standing side by side, in front or behind each other is only intensifying the heat. The queue continues, pretty boys try to push in, thinking they are too good to stand in line, but no one dares to tell them to head back in line, it reminds me of the tuck shop line (school canteen) back in secondary school with students waiting and pushing in for their pies and sausage rolls.
We progress to the window forty minutes later only to be informed that there's even more paperwork to complete, documents to sign and stamp. Red tape. There's plenty of it here. Everything works against the citizen, student, patient, parent, employer, pupil, teacher. No one has discovered that if you help someone out and make their life easier, you are in fact also helping yourself.
I like to think that things will change. That future students and citizens are going to have it easier. More sweat trickles down my thigh as I stand in the queue for the cashiers desk while my partner rushes to the library to sign off that there's no overdue books (if there he might not get his diploma), and to sign off his practicals, even though they have little relation to his degree. I've come across this before, where psych graduates are working in accounting and handyman as bakers. I suppose everyone here goes for whatever they can get.
Two hours later we're back at home, sending emails to satisfy the schools requirements in relation to even more documents. He will have to go back and go through it all again. Stand in the lines, chase up his grades, paperwork and anything else that he needs in order to fulfil expectations, requirements, and graduate.
Two days later it's all submitted. I breath easier. I swear I've been stressing and worrying more than he has. I'm proud of him. After months of hard work it's all done, and now we can both relax.
I've been thinking about going to do a Masters degree in Warsaw as they offer courses in English, my Polish is advanced but not advanced enough to complete two years of university and pass. This experience, however, is making me rethink the issue. Unless I can find a university that is computer orientated, has organisational skills and is with the times, I will bypass the idea and wait till I return to Australia.
Monday, July 6, 2009
Taxes Rising, but Minimum Wage Hasn't Budged
According to 'Polska Times' newspaper (6.7.09) the government is fighting with the crisis. The only problem is that Poland hasn't been really hit with a financial crisis like other parts of the world, but the government feels that we need to raise taxes in many areas, while it gives itself a pay rise (which has been noted on the front cover of newspapers like Fakty & Dziennik.pl in recent months). That to me or anyone else, is not smart governing. Don't they realise that if they put the citizens first they would be better off in the long term and their career would not be cut short due to greed and foolishness. The problem here is that most of the politicians present, past and future, go into office in hopes of making themselves rich. At least that is the view from the outside.
The Times Poland, mentioned rises in excise tax (akcyzy) for fuel [why when the cost has dropped three fold per barrel do Polish petrol prices continue to be ridiculously high? – to put into perspective, the average Polish citizen will have to work 1 hour for 2L of petrol, someone on minimum wage, will work for 1hr for 1L of petrol].
A tax is planned for alcohol and cigarettes. Because I am a non smoker and rarely drink alcohol, I think this is a good idea. But the reason behind it should not be for the government to make some extra money to hoard into their pockets but to encourage people to stop poisoning and killing themselves. More and more people are dying from smoking and drinking related causes all over the world, yet governments are doing little to outlaw smoking which kills more people than illegal drugs like cannabis. But that's another issue.
The government doesn't seem to understand that by continuing to raise taxes they are not going to make more money, because people are going to stop spending it as they won't have enough. Instead of driving, they are going to use public transport, walk or cycle. Duh. But of course this is not relevant because by the time they get out of office, they will already have set themselves up for life. Something the majority of Poles don't have a chance to do.
I'm not saying that all politicians are like this here, however, the decent ones who actually want to help Poland, are being pushed aside, stomped on, and removed from parliament by any means possible.
It's rather disappointing to see the leaders of our country not learning from their mistakes in the past. Will Poland ever experience the reality they deserve and get themselves out of this slump that has been present for decades?
Have I been unfair in my comments? I'd like someone to tell me I'm wrong and that our politicians and ministers are doing everything they can to make this country better, more prosperous, safer, cleaner and wealthier than it has ever been. I just can't see it.
Who deserves a pay rise?
Minimum wage is about 850zl (US$280 per month). This is not enough to cover rent, pay monthly bills, put food on the table and have a life. While ministers are earning ten or twenty times this amount and regularly demand pay rises because they claim that they should be earning similar amounts to people in their positions around the world. Well, so should teachers, doctors, nurses, waiters, chefs, and shop assistants.
Minimum pension for someone who has worked for forty odd years is about 600 zloty (US$200 per month). How is an older person who needs to pay bills, buy food and medicine support themselves? The older generation have built Poland, they have lived through its horrid history and survived, and this is how they are being repaid for their efforts.
The last few pay rises that I have seen for pensioners on the minimum have been 10 zloty, maybe 15 zloty. Is that really going to make a difference, especially since they have to pay tax from these meagre funds?
This is disgraceful for a country who is a member of the European Union, has been a democracy for twenty years, and has the potential to be something great.
Thank you for listening to my venting and any comments are appreciated, afterall this is just my opinion.
The Times Poland, mentioned rises in excise tax (akcyzy) for fuel [why when the cost has dropped three fold per barrel do Polish petrol prices continue to be ridiculously high? – to put into perspective, the average Polish citizen will have to work 1 hour for 2L of petrol, someone on minimum wage, will work for 1hr for 1L of petrol].
A tax is planned for alcohol and cigarettes. Because I am a non smoker and rarely drink alcohol, I think this is a good idea. But the reason behind it should not be for the government to make some extra money to hoard into their pockets but to encourage people to stop poisoning and killing themselves. More and more people are dying from smoking and drinking related causes all over the world, yet governments are doing little to outlaw smoking which kills more people than illegal drugs like cannabis. But that's another issue.
The government doesn't seem to understand that by continuing to raise taxes they are not going to make more money, because people are going to stop spending it as they won't have enough. Instead of driving, they are going to use public transport, walk or cycle. Duh. But of course this is not relevant because by the time they get out of office, they will already have set themselves up for life. Something the majority of Poles don't have a chance to do.
I'm not saying that all politicians are like this here, however, the decent ones who actually want to help Poland, are being pushed aside, stomped on, and removed from parliament by any means possible.
It's rather disappointing to see the leaders of our country not learning from their mistakes in the past. Will Poland ever experience the reality they deserve and get themselves out of this slump that has been present for decades?
Have I been unfair in my comments? I'd like someone to tell me I'm wrong and that our politicians and ministers are doing everything they can to make this country better, more prosperous, safer, cleaner and wealthier than it has ever been. I just can't see it.
Who deserves a pay rise?
Minimum wage is about 850zl (US$280 per month). This is not enough to cover rent, pay monthly bills, put food on the table and have a life. While ministers are earning ten or twenty times this amount and regularly demand pay rises because they claim that they should be earning similar amounts to people in their positions around the world. Well, so should teachers, doctors, nurses, waiters, chefs, and shop assistants.
Minimum pension for someone who has worked for forty odd years is about 600 zloty (US$200 per month). How is an older person who needs to pay bills, buy food and medicine support themselves? The older generation have built Poland, they have lived through its horrid history and survived, and this is how they are being repaid for their efforts.
The last few pay rises that I have seen for pensioners on the minimum have been 10 zloty, maybe 15 zloty. Is that really going to make a difference, especially since they have to pay tax from these meagre funds?
This is disgraceful for a country who is a member of the European Union, has been a democracy for twenty years, and has the potential to be something great.
Thank you for listening to my venting and any comments are appreciated, afterall this is just my opinion.
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