So by now we are convinced that Warsaw and the Warsovians are key players in our history – cruelly pushed to one side by the narratives we’ve been taught. We were brought up on the movements of nationalism in the 19th century, the empires than formed about the central European powers, the rise of theContinue reading “Uprisings”
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Warsaw and the Zuk
We arrive in Warsaw to a city that appeared to be the greyest on earth. Apart from an imposing tower with gothic touches and phone masts about its highest point. Our hotel, the Regent, was a 260 bed conference centre venue next to the Russian Embassy, a late Soviet era mausoleum, and a considerable distanceContinue reading “Warsaw and the Zuk”
Auschwitz Birkenau
It is my second visit to Auschwitz Birkenau, and there are other places that typify the wickedness that lies beneath our lives, but none so great as this. From the moment we are labelled by our guide to the moment we are summoned back on board our coach, the human condition that brought us hereContinue reading “Auschwitz Birkenau”
The Salt of the Earth
Almost as soon as we arrived our taxi driver was offering to take us to Krakow’s salt mine. Agreeing, we had only to wait 24 hours for the experience. By then we had worked out the fantastic margin Polish Adrian had built into the deal, but by then it was too late, and the prisonContinue reading “The Salt of the Earth”
A Tale of Three Cities
Our first daylight encouter with Krakow comes with a decision to tour by Hop Hop Bus. Via a tram, which only takes coins, which we don’t have, we fail to find one – but we do find an 8 seater golf buggy and its driver, Richard, which will take us round the three areas thatContinue reading “A Tale of Three Cities”
Krakow Awakes….
Arriving in Krakow – multiple spellings depending on whose army is in occupation – our Ryanair 737 joins a long line of Presidential jets on the apron. Germany’s is the largest. They are here because today is the 75th anniversary of the Russian liberation of Auschwitz – or Oswiecim if Poland had not been invadedContinue reading “Krakow Awakes….”
Poland with a Plan 