Tribute to Warsaw

After telling that you are going to Warsaw, you will often hear the reaction: "oh. Warsaw." As if "yes, I know that city… Is that really a tourist destination?.." And as a proper Lithuanian, I always shared the same view, based on several glimpses through the bus window when passing it by. But once I decided to get off and really see the city. Surprisingly, it CAN be a tourist destination, though I strongly recommend to visit it in warmer weather.

Honest truth - it is always easier to criticize things. Even easier - to criticize things you know nothing about. Maybe that's why I felt such an ignorant nationalist walking on the curved old-town streets. Indeed before coming I had an image of gray, modern Warsaw, with a tiny old-town (cause you know, it was destroyed during the WWII, and imagination just refused to see it restored), a lot of traffic and…well, basically this is it. In my (proper Lithuanian's) defense, Warsaw is known to be a bureaucratic and political center, while Krakow - something worth seeing. And yet, Poland's capital surprised me.

Surprised with its big and neatly restored old-town, which in cold day as it was (could have been -10 degrees) took a while to walk around.

Surprised with some interesting interpretation of…. Well I haven't figured out yet of what :) But it seemed interesting next to the same height Christmas tree nearby.

Surprised with seemingly very convenient transportation system.


Surprised with a free Chopin museum on Tuesdays (traveler's tip - you must book your entrance pass on this day, cause they have a visitors limit for each hour. Otherwise you might end waiting for several hours to get in or… not seeing it at all).

 
The number of churches didn't surprise at all - and not because I was in Poland, but also because I come from Lithuania. Nonetheless, they seemed beautiful.

Surprised with groups of tourists, who seemed not afraid of the cold and marched the streets with their big cameras.


Surprised with European prices (that is - really high ones! Was it the old town tariffs or just the wrong pick… but most likely, our neighbours don't live that cheaply in their capital. Funny thing, when you know that Lithuanians are going to Poland across the border for cheaper shopping!).


Summary in 3 sentences:
During one day in Warsaw it is possible to see the old-town, one museum (if you are lucky), enjoy a couple of meals, getting to know Polish cuisine (and American too!) and get an overall impression of the city.
You will see much more in summer, cause winters are pretty cold here, and that forces a tourist to find inside-shelters all along the way (brrrrr:).
Though Warsaw still seems more like an industrial city, political centre and only then touristic destination, it is worth to get off the bus once and see it for yourself.