It's Official

Craig is officially a pollack! After three months he has finally ridden a tram!!! We got to and from our destination without a hitch and he was able to successfully stamp his ticket!! I wish there would have been some noteworthy action during our trip but things were relatively calm. I thought about taking a picture for posterity but figured it would embarass me more than him anyway!

Saturday turned out to be a busy day. We were asked to have some Polish coral beads looked at by a fellow 3M'er. It seems they were given to him by his Grandmother. My goal was to determine what they were and if they were of any value. I had carefully scoped out the jewelry store in hopes of finding a younger shopowner who would be more likely to speak english. With no hesitation I boldly opened the door (did I ever tell you doors open the wrong way here? I've finally learned the word for "push" and "pull" to minimize embarassment before ever entering a shop). After a pleasant "dzien dobry" I haltingly asked if he spoke English because my Polish was limited. Unfortunately, he spoke German!! I must say his English was much better than he thought but every once in awhile he would slip into German...my glazed over eyes probably alerted him to my confusion. At any rate, he was more than willing to take a look at the beads. After careful inspection under his jewelry "thingie" he told me the beads were neither amber or any mineral they were simply plastic! It looks like the "coral beads from Poland" were really just "beads from Poland'!!! I thanked him and as I turned to exit I confidently said "good bye" sorta....I waved to him and said "excuse me"....arghhhhh I may have to go and spend some zlotys in there to redeem myself!

After the big jewelry adventure we headed to the tram. I had planned on taking Craig on route 2 or 10. Either tram takes us to the zoo, the Japanese Gardens and the Hala Stulecia. What a nice surprise for him!! The Hala Stulecia is now an entertainment venue but once housed a rally led by Hitler. It literally sends chills down my spine to think I am standing in a spot where Hitler once walked. I wonder what he would think if he were to see the skating rink and the antique roadshow going on outside the venue? After paying 2 zlotys we were able to meander through the antique show. Wow..there were some incredible pieces there; however, Poland has strict laws on the exporting of antiques so I hesitate to even think about buying anything. I would hate to run up against a border patrol somewhere!!

The weather definitely took a turn Saturday evening. Instead of our original plans we decided to wander downtown to the American restaurant (it is really the only place in town that makes a good mixed drink). We were going to meet another 3M'er there and make an early evening of it since Craig had to be at the airport Sunday morning at 4:30. After some peanuts (not salted in the shell but nonetheless very "American") we left for home. The wind was enough to carry me away!!! It was incredible!!! I was beginning to wonder if Craig's plane would even be able to take off on Sunday!!!

It was definitely the weekend for trams. I had made plans to the ride the trams with yet another 3M'er who will be relocating here from Brookings, SD. Neither rain, nor snow or dark of night could stop trams - which is good because we had it all!!! It was miserable....but we prevailed!!! We managed to ride four different trams, visit a few sites, stop at a few stores and arrive back unscathed...sort of!!! After stopping for a cup of coffee (Greg) and a coke light (Cindy) we wandered through the mall in hopes of further drying off before heading back into the inclement weather. As luck would have it there was a Polish "Borders" Bookstore! I had to stop to see if there was anything in English. Aha...magazines...lots of them...in English. I think I just discovered heaven!!! What should I buy??? Good Housekeeping, In Style...NO.....I had to buy the UK version of People magazine. Clutching the magazine tightly and proudly to my chest I went to buy the coveted magazine. As I was digging for the right change (1.99 Euros was supposedly the price) the cashier rang up my purchase but had to repeat the price (yes, I am starting to understand numbers - but not these numbers) it was 22 zlotys!!! That is steak and lobster price...for a magazine!!!! I will definitely be regifting this magazine - my only other option is to turn it into a family heirloom and present it to my first born grandbaby!!!

Used magazines are welcome...you can save postage by tearing out the advertisements!!!