Tis the season for amazing Christmas markets. This one of the many things I miss about Europe and its traditions. Americans try, but it is just not the same. For this week, it’s the set up for the Berlin Christmas markets since I was in Berlin jjjuuusssstttt a week before they were officially open. These markets are slightly different in appearance compared to the Krakow markets – which will me next week.

On this rainy, windy cold day, I thought I would put some photos of when I first went to Warsaw nine years ago. Where does the time go…. but maybe this is timely considering the area is about to get hit with another polar vortex. My first winter in Krakow was beastly cold – many people died due to hypothermia. I remember waiting for trams or buses and some of the stops, especially at night, had trash cans of coal burning to keep people somewhat warm while waiting. Even in the dark, dreary winter, there is still beauty, hopefully as seen below. Another advantage of visiting in winter is only a handful of tourists, amazing coffee and cocoa as well as other great comfort foods such as bigos, barszcz czerwony or biala, zurek…….

Four years ago I was in Berlin for a housing conference and had an opportunity to do a very quick tour around Berlin. It was also a bit challenging because of the early sunsets, but one of the many things I go to see was the art installation in the east part of the city that is now full or murals. It is amazing and was within walking distance of my hotel! Loved it.

Over the course of my travels I have seen pieces of the wall in other countries including Gdansk, and Portland, Maine. While most of it is gone, you can still buy pieces of it in various shapes and sizes.

A chunk of it has been sent to Delusional Duma Dotard Donnie at the WH. Now since it doesn’t read, it will never see it. But still, it is an amazing project.

https://qz.com/1745087/berliners-troll-trump-sending-him-a-2-7-ton-piece-of-berlin-wall/

As for me? Here are some of my favorite spots along the wall and some other places in Berlin. Happy 30th fall of the wall, let’s hope the future is as bright as it was 30 years ago.

As the never ending soap opera that is Brexit continues to churn, this week I would like to post some more photos I took last month while in the city. It is a huge city for sure but courtesy of the tube and buses, I got around to see a lot in 5 hours. Comfy shoes sure helped. So whatever happens this week….. there are some nice things to remember while the UK tears itself apart. *sigh*

Having spent five years living and working on Poland – my adopted home – it saddens me that PiS spewing their hate and lies (not unlike many other countries in the world today) won the election yesterday. My Polish friends tell me that things are returning to the pre-1989 conditions where it is no longer your qualifications for a job, but what party and who you know that secures you employment, let along keeps you from being fired. The press is being controlled by the state, the courts are being “reformed”, pushing out certain judges, and the university system is being “reformed”, pushing out more mature and experienced academics and filling positions with younger (and cheaper) academics who are supposed to tow the line. These changes (one of many) are on a reverse course after decades of progress.

But on a happier note, and maybe a turning point, Orban’s party lost the mayoral election in Budapest. Maybe the deplorables of the world are finally going to start going back to their caves.

In honor of the Poland I know and love (not lead by any PiS person) here are some photos of some of my favorite places/things.

Between the trip to London and Vienna and volunteer work and downloading and sorting 500 photos, it has been an interesting couple of weeks. There is so much to see in each city and so much to do and never enough time. And with many major cities around the world, lost of things are either under construction, renovation or repair. It does not make for the best photos but here are some.

Both cities are very walkable and for cheap money a 24 or 48 hour public transportation pass and a map are all you need. Be your own tour guide, not necessarily sheparded around by the major tours.

Last week I was in London and Vienna and took…. many, many photos. SO many photos it is going to take a few days to download them. I spent 3-4 hours a day wandering around each city, enjoying the natural beauty in the parks and gardens as well as the architectural beauty in the buildings. Sometimes the most amazing things you can see are when you look up – especially in the Vienna. When you think of the detailed statues and carvings that were made by hand, hundreds of years ago into stone, it is just incredible. The beauty, the craft, the details….. it feeds my soul.

It is also a sheer joy to travel around these cities on public transportation. It really shows when countries invest in infrastructure! Clean, quiet, modern trams and subways. Trains that can whisk people locally, regionally, nationally for extremely reasonable ticket prices with no breakdowns, no delays, and timetables clearly posted including how close (in minutes) a train/bus/tram is. Even with rain, snow, sleet or hail everything runs on time. Coming back to the states is like going back 100 years with many systems held together with bits and pieces and duct tape. Endless delays, over crowded, poorly maintained….. a general lack of investment in infrastructure and it shows.

Next week there will be pictures.

Soon I will be in Vienna, an amazing city with all kinds of interesting things to see and do. I was there in the spring seven years ago (where does the time go) and am looking forward to a fall now. There is the most amazing architecture, museums, palaces, statues and of course the food which is art in itself. I got to see the golden fleece and the crown jewels last time too. Here are some photos from my last trip.

It’s August, a time when most Europeans are taking most if not all of the month off. Oh to be a European…. With that in mind I thought I would post some photos from rather popular vacation spots, such as the south of France. There is so much to do, to see, to experience. And not once have I not felt unsafe there. In the states I have to worry about being shot the minute I leave my apartment – not in Europe. I feel much safer there. One of my favorite places is Grasse and Fragonard, the perfumery. It’s an amazing tour/place and there are so many other things to see in the town such as the church, other perfume shops, the food…… I hope to get back there one day.

It’s a wee bit late, but a massive congratulations to the Polish men’s volleyball national team for qualifying for the Tokyo Olympics, crushing France! The Polish men are the two time World Championships in volleyball and are currently ranked fourth in the world. Going into the Olympics they are one of the favorites for the gold.

Powodzenia chlopacki!