Over the past few weeks, I've spent some good time in Warsaw, lapping up the sun and seeing the sights. It is unbelievable the change in atmosphere that has occurred after winter finished. I thoroughly like Warsaw now and don't want to leave. Instead of listing everything I've done, I've put together a list below of what I like about Poland, in no particular order.

Last weekend I went to Bialystok and Bialowieza to the forest. Nestled on the border of Belarus, the town was very isolated but had a local small town feel about it. We cycled through the forest, visited the Bison and an area of huge trees while admiring the beautiful forest. It was stunning even if it was raining the whole time and I was eaten alive by mosquitoes.

10 Things I like about Poland:

1. Wifi is everywhere. Whether you are at McDonalds, a park in Warsaw, an isolated town in the middle of the forest or 135m underground in a salt mine, it's likely you can get wifi.

2.Men are gentlemen. They let women go first through doorways, open doors and help lift your bags into the overhead compartment on the train.

3. Once the snow melts, everyone and everything comes alive. The winter is cold, dark and gloomy. It appears no one enjoys it. But once the snow clears, everything changes. The countrysides are now field after field of lush green grass. The atmosphere in the city has changed completely. People are happy and now smile and laugh. Many people cycle. There are flowers growing in the parks and the fountains are flowing. Poland is much more beautiful in the sunshine.

4. Tea. I had never drunken tea before I came to Poland. There are endless varieties of flavours.

5. The forests are beautiful, even if it is raining. Apart from the mosquitoes, I love everything about the forests.

6. The world is at your feet. Here in Poland, the travel opportunities are endless. Bordering 7 countries with different languages and cultures, you are in the heart of Europe. Jump on a train, bus, drive or take a short plane ride and you arrive in a completely different country. This is amazing.

7. The parks in Warsaw are beautiful in Spring/Summer. Humming with people and squirrels, a walk among the green trees is the perfect place to enjoy the sunshine. Poland does public parks very well.

8. The Bison is huge. It's one staunch looking animal.

9. The chocolate is delicious. Whether it's E Wedel or Wawel, I can't get enough.

10. The public transport is efficient and I've even worked it out. Warsaw is twice the size of New Zealand's biggest city and therefore I'm proud I can find my way around. Trams and buses are so regular, just turn up at a stop and get whatever you want to go in Warsaw.

 

 

Amber:)

Two country's in two weeks has been busy. On the 18th of April, a couple of the other volunteers and I escaped to the good weather in Budapest. Unfortunately while packing I was anticipating similar weather to Warsaw and ended up having to buy shorts, it was so hot. Although, we were hardly complaining and were more excited to finally have some heat. We had a jam packed weekend trying to fit in all the sites of Budapest. We climbed Buda hill, walked through the Castle, climbed, crawled and slid through the caves in the hills (conquering the 'Sandwich of Death'), took a free walking tour - learning about Hungarian history, relaxed in the thermal baths, soaked up the sun and got sun burnt. I did take a jacket just in case. However, only needed it once I landed back in Warsaw.

 

For the holidays, I spent a very enjoyable week in Slovakia with my hosts. We hiked through the beautiful Tatra Mountains, relaxed in the thermal baths, took a day trip to the tourist-packed Zakopane and walked through the old streets of the local towns. We had weather from all seasons. The snow was still lying around in the mountains on the first day while the sun was shining. We sweated in the sun in Zakopane and hiked through the rain, thunder and lightning on another day in the mountains. I love hiking in the mountains at home but don't go as often as I should so I thoroughly enjoyed this week away.

 

I hope everyone in well rested after the break and I'll see you all back at school this week.

Amber:)