Thinking about going to Poland. Any advice? Tips? Recs?

[bif]

My ancestry is mostly Polish, so I'd love to see where we came from. I've heard wonderful things about it. Anyone?

[sinkingfeeling]

1. Get donuts at Voodoo!

[diddlysquat]

2. Isn't Voodoo in PORTLAND?

[sinkingfeeling]

4. Yes, LOL, I misread the post. Too early.

[lark]

3. From what I saw in Austria 2 years ago, be prepared to see some rw shit that doesn't belong.

Most will probably be nice, but Poland was firmly part of the swing rightward. In fact they Slovenia and Austria are now considered a triumvirate of European rw states who are part of NATO, but also disdain them as well. It's been 2 years and from what I hear the rightward push is just growing stronger. I'm sure you will see lots of beauty and cultural sights, and hope you really enjoy them. Just thought I'd warn about the disturbing undercurrent we saw and felt then in that region.

Corrected typos

[elleng]

5. My ancestry is partly Polish,

left to save their/our lives, I expect.

Have never heard 'wonderful' things about it; sorry.

Attended a wedding there, in 2001, not in Warsaw, somewhere north. Wedding lasted FOREVER, I suspect the custom developed as it was difficult getting around so whenever groups gathered, they stayed for a long time, so weddings last for DAYS!

[Laura PourMeADrink]

6. That's cool BIF. I am half Polish half Ukrainian. Been

thinking about adding Poland to a trip to Europe next year. I definitely want to go to Krakow. It is supposed to be the new and better Prague...but not commercialized.

My ancestors are from Posdan..not far from German border.

I'd really like to see the primeval forest too.

On a sadder note...I want to visit a camp. Some people who have gone say it will change your life forever. Others have told me to not go..it will haunt you horribly.

What do you think? Have you thought about it? Not even sure about getting around there. Have you done any research? Where is your family from?

[bif]

7. We'll probably rent a car.

We have friends who are in Ukraine and have been to Poland several times. We'll pick their brains. As far as family, my Busha was from Warsaw but she was an orphan. And my Dziadzi was from a small village in the middle of the country. My aunt is the only one left alive who might still know the name of the village. I need to call her and see. I think a visit to a camp is kind of a must.

[mainer]

8. Just saw this -- hope I can chime in on time

KRAKOW. What an amazing city! We spent a week there. A fascinating place (esp. the tower where a live trumpeter still plays his interrupted tune all these centuries later) and it's also close to other places that one must visit, including Auschwitz-Birkenau and the salt mines.

We ate pierogi just about every other day. Stay awhile, and you'll find your own favorite pierogi joint.

If you're curious about the legend of the trumpeter of Krakow, there's a YA novel with that title. I read it in middle school, and it planted the desire to visit Krakow many decades later.