Poland - Two and Out

Well, there is no hope for Poland to reach the Euro Cup semi-finals after a devastating loss to Austria. Poland was up 1-0 with about 1 minute to go and Austria scored on a penalty kick. Fact of the matter is the Polish defense was so weak in the first half they should have been down 3-0 if the goalie hadn't played so strongly. I do have a special fondness for goalies.... Win or lose the town remains decked out in red and white and the crowds just as boisterous. Their last game is on Monday. Of course we will be tuning in.

Forgot to mention that I finally got the scoop on the opera being performed on the Odra River. It is "Othello". At the end of every opera season they put on a special performance on the river. Because it is best performed in the dark the performance begins at 10:00 p.m. and ends at 2:00 a.m.!!! We have been able to watch some extraordinary lighting displays from our front patio. I've posted a picture for you to see. Can't believe all performances are sold out. I guess folks in Poland can stay up later than I can!!

I've noticed the sun comes up much earlier, and stays light much longer here. Craig reminded me we are actually further north than Minnesota so our daylight will be altered. We have sun from 4:30 a.m. to just before 10:00 p.m. every day. Luckily, I have no problems sleeping!

Believe it or not, Craig ran into his college roommate here in Wrocław! He hasn't seen him in well over 20 years. Can you say, "small world"??? Bruce works for 3M and happened to be visiting the medical site. That same night we had dinner with a former co-worker of Craig's who also happened to be in Poland and remembered we were living here so he sent Craig an e-mail. It is always nice chatting with people from home.

I went on a tour of the Jewish Quarters on Friday with a group from the International Friends organization. It is deplorable the atrocities the Jews have faced in Wrocław. Plac Sól (which now is home to the 24/7, 365 day flower markets was once the location where Jews were beaten and killed. Before WWII Wrocław had the second largest Jewish population in Europe. After the end of the war Jewish people flocked back to Wrocław in record numbers and re-established a strong community; however, in 1968 the then communist leader of Poland mandated the exodus of all Jews from Poland. Wrocław has yet to recover. The Rabbi that spoke to us is now working diligently with political and religious leaders to gain momentum in the regrowth in Poland. It was a very insightful presentation.

We finally agreed on an anniversary destination. We will be spending 5 days and 4 nights in Amsterdam. I had it narrowed down to Oslo when Craig suggested pricing out Amsterdam. I am very excited. hmmmm...our anniversary in the prostitution and marijuana capitol of Europe.

Not much else new around here. We've been following the floods and rains in the Midwest and continue to think of those impacted. We just had a brief downpour, which is the first rain we've had since we got back from Minnesota. The sky is clearing so I'm sure we'll head out for our daily walk downtown sometime soon.

Happy Father's Day....we love you!