Dear all,
There are two important notices here:
1. Again, thank you for all the comments. They are fun to read and I look forward to them every day. I usually respond to your comments, so be sure to check back to see what I've written to you!
2. I have been informed that some people are unaware of how to comment. You'd think they'd make it straight-forward, but it's not. Therefore, I will show you how it's done.
-At the bottom of the blog entry, it will say "Posted by Will at 2:59 AM X comments," X being any number. Click on the "X Comments" part.
-On the right side it will say "Leave your comment." Inside the box type your message.
-At the bottom there will be funny looking letters, type those into the box below it.
-Also, click on the Other button. Then, put in your name.
-From there you just click "Publish your comment."
Hopefully that helps. If it's unclear, send me an email at wvanengen@gmail.com
Hope to hear from you,
Will :)
Thursday, January 11, 2007
Warsaw Day 3 and 4
The last two days have been excellent. On Tuesday we went to a place called Wilanow. It's a park in the very south of Warsaw with some very old castles. It would probably be much more beautiful during summer but during winter it had an interesting feel to it. The bus ride there was fairly long but quite interesting. On the way back there were some very drunk men on the bus. I took a sound recording with my camera which I hope to post somehow. We got Andrzej and Ana to take a listen to it. I guess the guy was talking about some beautiful teacher with long brown hair he had once.
Yesterday, we explored the museum of the Rising. In August 1944, after many years of Nazi control, the citizens of Warsaw staged an uprising, which was quite successful considering the odds against them. It lasted only 63 days but they had large parts of Warsaw under control and even instituted their own government again. The USSR could have helped them but didn't, because they eventually wanted to take it over themselves, and such a group of young, well-trained insurgents might have been troublesome for the Stalinist regime to come. The people of Poland really had it bad in the 20th century. They finally get independence in 1918 and then in 1939 they are brutally oppressed by the Nazis, and then they get "liberated" by the Soviet Union.
After the museum, Austin and I began preparing a Mexican feast for Andrzej and Ana. It was comprised of beans, beef, home-made salsa and tortillas.
Will
Yesterday, we explored the museum of the Rising. In August 1944, after many years of Nazi control, the citizens of Warsaw staged an uprising, which was quite successful considering the odds against them. It lasted only 63 days but they had large parts of Warsaw under control and even instituted their own government again. The USSR could have helped them but didn't, because they eventually wanted to take it over themselves, and such a group of young, well-trained insurgents might have been troublesome for the Stalinist regime to come. The people of Poland really had it bad in the 20th century. They finally get independence in 1918 and then in 1939 they are brutally oppressed by the Nazis, and then they get "liberated" by the Soviet Union.
After the museum, Austin and I began preparing a Mexican feast for Andrzej and Ana. It was comprised of beans, beef, home-made salsa and tortillas.
Will
Monday, January 8, 2007
Warsaw Day 2
Hey everyone,
The sun finally made an appearance today. If you haven't read my dad's comment, he had mentioned that he would order some sun but figured it would take too long to ship here. He was evidently wrong. It was an absolutely incredible experience. It really did lift our spirits. It also seemed that we saw many more smiling people around town than we did yesterday. I think sunshine makes everyone happier. There was a story I was once told about a town in Austria that set up computer timed mirrors to reflect light into their city during winter to combat seasonal depressions. I thought it was maybe made-up, but here is an article on it.
http://pistachiopress.blogspot.com/2006/11/austrian-town-uses-mirrors-to-tackle.html
We visited the old town of Warsaw, which I guess was rebuilt after WW2. Pretty much everything had to be rebuilt after the way. It is still a very nice part of town. The metro here is actually quite great too. We have a train close to Andrew and Ana's flat which takes us right into "Centrum," the center of the city. We met some interesting people today, including a British girl who was sitting off the to the side of the street in old town doing some sketches. She was really quite good.
Will
The sun finally made an appearance today. If you haven't read my dad's comment, he had mentioned that he would order some sun but figured it would take too long to ship here. He was evidently wrong. It was an absolutely incredible experience. It really did lift our spirits. It also seemed that we saw many more smiling people around town than we did yesterday. I think sunshine makes everyone happier. There was a story I was once told about a town in Austria that set up computer timed mirrors to reflect light into their city during winter to combat seasonal depressions. I thought it was maybe made-up, but here is an article on it.
http://pistachiopress.blogspot.com/2006/11/austrian-town-uses-mirrors-to-tackle.html
We visited the old town of Warsaw, which I guess was rebuilt after WW2. Pretty much everything had to be rebuilt after the way. It is still a very nice part of town. The metro here is actually quite great too. We have a train close to Andrew and Ana's flat which takes us right into "Centrum," the center of the city. We met some interesting people today, including a British girl who was sitting off the to the side of the street in old town doing some sketches. She was really quite good.
Will
Sunday, January 7, 2007
Warsaw
Hey all,
We got up early today and took the 8AM train to Warsaw from Krakow. It took about 2 and a half hours but was good for getting a little rest. Warsaw, at the moment, is rather grim and grey and raining. Our host, however, is in complete contrast. Andrew met us at the station with his "Canadian...Eh?" t-shirt and a big grin. He is one of the nicest and most hospitable people we have met so far. He prompty got us a metro pass, which was awesome, so we can get around Warsaw (pronounced War-SHAW-VAW in Polish). He then took us to his awesome apartment and fed us an excellent rice/chicken meal. It turns out he spent a year in Argentina and speaks fluent Spanish so we chatted it up. I feel bad now because I think Austin felt pretty left out. Andrew's wife is due to come back from her post-grad exam tonight. Her name is Ana or Anna, I'm not sure how it is spelled. Tomorrow we plan to venture into the rain to see Warsaw. There is an interesting place built by Stalin called the Cultural Palace, which should be interesting. Also there is a Museum dedicated to a Polish Uprising of some sort. We shall find out tomorrow. Until then, keep commenting!
Will
We got up early today and took the 8AM train to Warsaw from Krakow. It took about 2 and a half hours but was good for getting a little rest. Warsaw, at the moment, is rather grim and grey and raining. Our host, however, is in complete contrast. Andrew met us at the station with his "Canadian...Eh?" t-shirt and a big grin. He is one of the nicest and most hospitable people we have met so far. He prompty got us a metro pass, which was awesome, so we can get around Warsaw (pronounced War-SHAW-VAW in Polish). He then took us to his awesome apartment and fed us an excellent rice/chicken meal. It turns out he spent a year in Argentina and speaks fluent Spanish so we chatted it up. I feel bad now because I think Austin felt pretty left out. Andrew's wife is due to come back from her post-grad exam tonight. Her name is Ana or Anna, I'm not sure how it is spelled. Tomorrow we plan to venture into the rain to see Warsaw. There is an interesting place built by Stalin called the Cultural Palace, which should be interesting. Also there is a Museum dedicated to a Polish Uprising of some sort. We shall find out tomorrow. Until then, keep commenting!
Will
Friday, January 5, 2007
Krakow
Hey everyone,
Thanks again for all the posts. We have just arrived in Krakow, and it is raining miserably. We will probably be heading out to check out the town and hopefully get some good exploring done! Hopefully, but not for sure, I may have some photos up tomorrow. From now on I am going to put the majority of the photos on Flickr because the Blogger interface isn't super great.
Oh I almost forgot, don't be fooled by RyanAir. It is not as marvellous as people deem it. The prices were good and it was worth it, but by a small margin. A $5 flight turned out to be 50 with all the taxes and everything. Still, that's not a bad deal. However, you have to take early flights in the morning, which means sleeping in an airport where it is tough to sleep. Also, instead of having assigned seating, it's first-come-first-served, which was like herding cattle into a pen. It was ridiculous. Still, pretty cheap and the interior isn't horrible. No leg room, but that's okay for two hour flight.
Will
Thanks again for all the posts. We have just arrived in Krakow, and it is raining miserably. We will probably be heading out to check out the town and hopefully get some good exploring done! Hopefully, but not for sure, I may have some photos up tomorrow. From now on I am going to put the majority of the photos on Flickr because the Blogger interface isn't super great.
Oh I almost forgot, don't be fooled by RyanAir. It is not as marvellous as people deem it. The prices were good and it was worth it, but by a small margin. A $5 flight turned out to be 50 with all the taxes and everything. Still, that's not a bad deal. However, you have to take early flights in the morning, which means sleeping in an airport where it is tough to sleep. Also, instead of having assigned seating, it's first-come-first-served, which was like herding cattle into a pen. It was ridiculous. Still, pretty cheap and the interior isn't horrible. No leg room, but that's okay for two hour flight.
Will
Wednesday, January 3, 2007
Finally, some time to blog...
Hello all,
Thanks for all the comments! I was surprised that there were so many! I am finally able to sit down and write some stuff down. We are currently in West Sussex at a beautiful country home, in which live excellent country people. They have been extremely hospitable to us!
Tonight we went out for Indian food and then for a pint at the local pub. It was quite a nice experience. I had a Sussex Bitter beer. It was my first bitter, and it was great!
We got into London on the 1st of January and went straight to the flat in East Dulwich. On the way there we passed a Millwall football stadium and saw that a game was about to begin. Austin mentioned that Chuck, our good friend and wise mentor, had advised him to check out one of said team's games. They are well-known for their drunken roving mobs. Apparently, people have been killed at these games over sport. Anyway, we got to the flat and met with Naomi and Pete, our London friends. We asked Pete about the game and he said it was about half-over.
We booked it to the train station, got off at the stadium and managed to get in half-price. We picked our spot and started watching the game. (Check Austin's blog for photos.) I really wish I had brought my camera because you can record sound on it, and that's what I will always remember. If you know the movie Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels, there is a large henchman for Harry. I forget his name in the movie, but he ends up with an axe in his back. Anyway, this guy has a particular accent and manner of speach which is exactly what the guy behind us at the game sounded like. There were obscenities I hadn't even heard of before or thought were commonly used, especially around the young kids at the game. Anyway, it was a hoot and a half and Millwall won, thankfully.
The next day we did the usual tour of London: Big Ben, Westminster Chapel, Picadilly Circus, Trafalgar, etc. It was pretty fun. Tomorrow will be extra fun because I am meeting up with Alyssa, whom I haven't seen for a year almost! T'will be fun!
Will
P.S. Check out the Flickr link on the side for more photos!
Thanks for all the comments! I was surprised that there were so many! I am finally able to sit down and write some stuff down. We are currently in West Sussex at a beautiful country home, in which live excellent country people. They have been extremely hospitable to us!
Tonight we went out for Indian food and then for a pint at the local pub. It was quite a nice experience. I had a Sussex Bitter beer. It was my first bitter, and it was great!We got into London on the 1st of January and went straight to the flat in East Dulwich. On the way there we passed a Millwall football stadium and saw that a game was about to begin. Austin mentioned that Chuck, our good friend and wise mentor, had advised him to check out one of said team's games. They are well-known for their drunken roving mobs. Apparently, people have been killed at these games over sport. Anyway, we got to the flat and met with Naomi and Pete, our London friends. We asked Pete about the game and he said it was about half-over.
We booked it to the train station, got off at the stadium and managed to get in half-price. We picked our spot and started watching the game. (Check Austin's blog for photos.) I really wish I had brought my camera because you can record sound on it, and that's what I will always remember. If you know the movie Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels, there is a large henchman for Harry. I forget his name in the movie, but he ends up with an axe in his back. Anyway, this guy has a particular accent and manner of speach which is exactly what the guy behind us at the game sounded like. There were obscenities I hadn't even heard of before or thought were commonly used, especially around the young kids at the game. Anyway, it was a hoot and a half and Millwall won, thankfully.
The next day we did the usual tour of London: Big Ben, Westminster Chapel, Picadilly Circus, Trafalgar, etc. It was pretty fun. Tomorrow will be extra fun because I am meeting up with Alyssa, whom I haven't seen for a year almost! T'will be fun!
Will
P.S. Check out the Flickr link on the side for more photos!
Monday, January 1, 2007
quick entry
I must type quick for my time is almost up. We went to a football match here. It was awesome. Check for photos coming soon!
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