Tram Free Zone

Another dreary day here in Wroclaw. It didn't stop us from being outside all day and we actually accomplished a lot - almost without incident!!!

After walking to town and picking up a pastry for breakfast we decided to venture out to IKEA to see if we could come up with something for my stamps. Not only did we find something but we got there and back for the first time without getting lost!!! We did see a rather interesting fund raiser though. At an intersection two young men would go to the driver's window and ask if they wanted their windshields washed!!! Didn't see any takers....

When we got back we decided to take a long walk to a more upscale grocery store. It just happens to be on one of the tram routes I took yesterday so I could even try to figure out where I went wrong. Dang, if I would have waited two more stops I would have been exactly where I thought I was going on the other route!! I am definitely directionally dyslexic so I wasn't surpised. I now have confirmation that route 2 will not only get me to the zoo but it is also my access to three of four major malls in Wroclaw and the train station to boot!!! I couldn't be happier!!

After browsing through the grocery store (with Oliver in his doggy backpack) we actually found aluminum foil (packaging is a mystery to me but we found it) and a can of Pringles!!! How much better could it get?

Heading back toward town we discovered a theater where "My Fair Lady" will be on stage in December. Can you imagine "My Fair Lady" in Polish? Craig figured he would skip the play. I think he wants to skip the opera too. We know where that is now too. As we drew closer to town we saw an advertisement for the "Sextets". They happen to be the Polish version of the Chippendales. I doubt either of the venues we found today will be hosting them!!!

We had planned to stop by the Farmer's Market to pick up some fresh produce and flowers only to find out it closed at 3:00. That just dropped our day from a perfect 10 to a 9!!!

After stopping at home, devouring the Pringles and putting away the few things we picked up at the market we decided to run to Tescos for some groceries. It is still an adventure everytime we go but it is getting easier. We managed to find grated parmesan cheese today. We had to buy a cheese grater since we have yet to find grated cheese in any other variety. Since the grocery store also has a liquor store Craig picked up some wine for dinner.

I've now mastered opening the plastic bags at the store so the day was still a 9 out of 10!! But wait...what is that buzzing noise??? It seems our wine set off a security sensor! I didn't know Boone's Farm was considered a delicacy in Poland!! After security cleared us we stopped for dog food at the pet store and headed to our car. I guess we were gone a bit too long because Oliver pooped in the back seat of the company car!!!! At least Craig didn't set off the car alarm!!!! Because it made me laugh I hate to drop our success rankings too low so how about we call it a 7 out of 10???

Some ramblings:

1) Polish people must not mind lines because there are lines everywhere!!!!
2) Why are there condoms at nearly every grocery check out line?
3) Why do people always seem to ask me for directions?
4) You can mix and match dog foods at the pet store.
5) Traffic lights go from red to yellow before turning green.
6) Traffic lights are hung in such a way that if you get too close to the intersection it is impossible to see the light.
7) How long did it take that guy to grow dreadlocks past his butt???
9) How do they celebrate Halloween in Poland? I sure haven't seen aisles full of Twix bars!!
10) Most of Poland will be shut down November 1 for something like Memorial Day. Since Halloween is technically "All Hallowed Eve" do you think it is tied together? Apparently, Polish people will decorate gravesites with these lantern-like candles in red and white (the color of the Polish flag). Evidently, it is a very impressive site. It must be with the number of lanterns I see people purchasing!

Last but not least....to calculate farenheit you need to do the following:

Take the celisius reading and multiply it by 9. Take that sum and divide it by 5. Now add 32 and Voila!!! Farenheit!

Happy Saturday!!!