Day 49 - Daytripping

Today we decided to take a drive to see the scenic delights outside Warsaw . On the list there was Żelazowa Wola, a place where Chopin was born, Lowitz the cradle of the Polish Christianity, and love inspiring Arkadia park. These descriptions were carefully researched on the Internet and did not come from my behind, though after today trip it is clear they had come from someone else's back parts.

Żelazowa Wola had a large and promising parking lot. Immediately upon our landing, a Pole came over and collected 6ZL for parking. We are more and more convinced that a more dignified way to earn living than begging or becoming a policemen would be to become the parking toll collector. Any random person could do it. We strolled to where he pointed, which was supposed to be a beautiful park with Chopin's birth home on it. Our printed and online sources indicated that this place is home to frequent recitals. The only recital we heard was the sound of the drill. The park was under reconstruction. There are two massive construction projects on both sides of the park which were producing all the noise. The birth home itself is a small house at the end of the long valley for which you have to pay at the entrance of the valley. Having been taught by example at Rundale so-called Palace in Latvia, we did not pay and were not sorry when we did reach the home. We considered some handicrafts at the parking lot. Some guy had adorable devils, but based on the prices he might be raising money to fund NASA. It was beyond non-negotiable.

So next we went to Łowicz. The start looked very promising with a pretty town square faced by the key structures. The churches were huge. However they were all closed, so we decided to move to the second part of the program which was visiting the "quaint village with the most unique souvenirs in the whole World." We spent several hours walking around in the noon heat and looking for the village. But other than an impressive and extensive array of a typical provincial shops there was nothing interesting to look at.

So on to the last location. Arkadia had the familiar parking toll collector happily collecting the dues from 6-7 cars parked nears the entrance. We looked inside the park but did not see anything remotely romantic, maybe it becomes apparent after you pay for parking. And maybe not. So we decided not to take the risk.

We tried one more thing - Kampinos National park which boasts a real sand dunes and bogs. But having encountered the same parking rule, it just did not seem like fun anymore. Plus, as much as I could understand the park attendant, she said not to expect the big sandy beauties like on the beach but just a little sand covered by the roots. And we could take the stroller to the park down the wide road used by the car vehicles. We were not that impressed with Byelovezhe Puscha, the last remaining virgin forest in Europe. And this, by all indications was not going to even come close. So we headed back to Warsaw.

Georgia was amazing the entire trip. This amount of time in the car is hard for any adult not to mention a 3-year old.

We drove to Lazienkowski park. It looks like a version of the Central Park. We dragged to the nearest coffee shop to feed Georgia and me and went straight back to the apartment. It is was nice to relax at last.

After a break we went out again to take a look at all the fun that was gathering in the square. Georgia had fun splashing in the mermaid fountain again.

They built out stage on the market square and a bunch of young Jazz musicians were testing out the equipment. The pianist and bass player were very good. There were so many people. And more were coming. It was nice to see so many dressed beautifully. We went to confirm that our breakfast watering holes would be operational tomorrow while picking up odd street bite to eat here and there.

Next we went to the market in the "New City." They still had the booths up. There was maybe 20 visitors there now. What a waste. To get them out of their misery we had some smoked cheese, and regular and blood sausage sold for symbolic prices. And we also had kvas. Georgia tried the latter and to our enjoyment really loved it. She nearly downed a cup all by herself. Some of her most impressive accomplishments this summer relate to her opening up to trying eating different foods and liking most of them.

By 8pm, we were ready to call it a day. The market square had filled up completely. The concert was so so. Each next piece sounded like the one before. And it was very loud. But at least we had the best seats in the house. They sensibly finished by 9pm. Now we will pack and prepare to go back to LT tomorrow. It was very nice here.