American in Poland: The Heat is On

After what felt like months of torrential rainfall we are now experiencing a mild heat wave. I say mild only because of our friends in Dubai where temperatures in the 115 degree range are the norm. The temperatures have not gotten anywhere near 90 but the humidity has been over 80%. I guess a shirt wet with sweat is better than a shirt soaked from rain. Definitely have to think twice about riding the trams now - if you get my drift!!!

The picture to the right was taken on the plaza near the Rynek. The fountain is new this year. Perhaps Poles are not as litigious as Americans but I see a lawsuit when some barefoot child slips and cracks their noggin on the wet granite. It doesn't help the granite actually slopes!!! As can be expected the fountain is a magnet for young and old alike. It is just a bit more entertaining when the kids are in the water squealing - unless you prefer a wet t-shirt contest!

We took a walk this weekend along the river across from the Tumski. Of course we were not without a camera and Craig was able to capture a serene shot of a solitary woman praying along the river - or so we thought!!!

If you were able to zoom in on this shot you would find a braless woman, with a washcloth obviously overcome by the heat - or didn't pay her water bill!!!! The picture quickly went from serene to obscene!

Thanks to our good friends Gareth and Basia we were able to enjoy a good old-fashioned 4th of July picnic! Much like America is made up of immigrants we, too, were surrounded by friends from all over. Three native Poles, two Brits, one Scot, one New Zealander and of course the two dumb Americans!!! A couple of highlights:

- Sparklers are only sold in Poland at Christmas.

- Roman candles used to decorate wedding cakes (I forgot to mention that in an earlier post) were purchased as a substitute. Got to love ya, Basia!

- Always read the directions.

- Pouring lighter fluid on roman candles without reading the directions does not help.

- Roman candles infused with lighting fluid makes for interesting results even after you read the directions.

As responsible party-goers we did have a designated driver (me)! Drunk driving laws in Poland - as in all of Europe - scare everyone into not drinking and driving or calling a cab. We had an acquaintence who was thrown into jail (which you have to pay for here in Poland - kind of like a hotel for the bad), received a hefty fine and had his driver's license revoked a year because he had two beers while playing pool and was about to hop on his bike and ride home with his wife.

Not much else new. Erica's friend, Shelly, has inspired me to be a better blogger since she manages to post every day with a new baby, a fulltime job and going to school...ouch!!!! My excuse...hmmmmmmm...enjoying retirement????

On a final note. The King of Pop must have ruled in Poland too as evidenced by the shrine we found in Sol Plac this weekend. I won't mention that the Sol Plac was once the place where pogroms were held in order to persecute and beat the Jews. Somehow a shrine to Michael Jackson just doesn't seem right. Anyway...here it is.