Poland, Warsaw Part 2!

This will be more of a personal experience post, i.e. what I experienced in Warsaw. =)


Well, in Warsaw, English is not widely spoken. So it was real funny at times trying to get some of the things we want. We had to signal, point and sometimes even draw on a paper to tell the people what we want. And they had to do the same to us. Just imagine us wanting to eat chicken, and we had to act like a chicken.

Despite this, traveling in Warsaw isn't hard. Most tourist spots are centered around one area, so walking is all it takes. Public transport is also quite convenient, and not to mention cheap. 3 days of unlimited travelling on public transport (metro, tram and bus) costs only 8 zlotty, which is only around $4SGD! Compared to Copenhagen, 1 ride alone on the metro, no matter to where, costs 13.50DKK, which is around.. $3.50SGD!



Accommodation wise, we stayed in a hostel called Hostel Yellow. At first, we were skeptical as there were no review of it anywhere on the internet. And with it being one of the cheapest in Warsaw, it sounded rather sleazy. But we still decided to stay there as it was relatively near the town center and it was only for 2 nights AND breakfast was included.

I personally was pleasantly surprised during our stay in Hostel Yellow. The reason for it not having any reviews was because it was very new, like just opened 2 weeks before we stayed in it. And because of this, everything was very clean and new. Additionally, the owners speak English and were very friendly (compared to other Polish people we have met). Only downside was that the 8 man room we stayed in was rather cramped, but it was still reasonable given the price we paid for. All in all, if you all are thinking of going Warsaw, I would recommend Hostel Yellow as a place to stay if you are looking for a cheap and clean hostel, with breakfast included.



There were some moments during our travel where to me, it feels damn romantic. It feels just like a scene taken right out of a drama series.

For example, imagine ice skating in a winter night, with light snow, with romantic music being played, and not alot of people on the rink, and dim lights. Seriously, it feels like I'm right smack in the middle of a korean drama series. It really feels damn romantic while skating and enjoying the weather and seeing the snow and all.

BUT! I have learned a very important lesson. It may seem romantic from the outside, but it isn't all the same from the inside. Firstly, you MUST know how to skate, or at least 1 of you (if a couple went) must know how to skate, so that the other can be led and taught by you. This is especially important in a country where almost ALL of the people in the rink knows how to skate. Take us for an example: While we were trying to skate in Warsaw, people were laughing at us and zooming past us as all of us were novice at ice skating. But oh well, we didn't really mind that much as people won't recognize us anyway, so we just went on and learned step by step.

In any case, ice skating in a winter country with snow falling with a few people in the rink and with romantic lightings and music is SERIOUSLY damn romantic TTM! At least that's what I feel la. =D



Romantic moment number 2: Walking through the streets at night, while looking at the European style orange lightings, with a light snowfall. Words can't describe how it really feels. But it is seriously a moment to share with that special someone. And how I wish I have that someone to share the moment with. =(




All in all, I really do love this little trip. Warsaw has so much to offer, but maybe that's also because this was the first real travel we did since we got to Copenhagen, so I'm more easily wow-ed and everything feels so refreshing.

But in any case, this is a trip that I will definitely remember. =)



P.S: Running to catch a plane on last call isn't fun. Everybody was looking at us like we were some crazy Asians playing catching. But anyway, it felt very much like we were in Amazing Race. Which is quite amazing by itself. Hahaha.


P.P.S: BUT no more running for last call planes please.

Happy Chinese New Year everyone! =)

I just came back from Warsaw, Poland! It was a very last minute decision to go to Warsaw actually, with a proposal made by ganjiajia on 11/2/10, planning and booking of tickets until 4am in the morning, and us flying off on 13/2/10.

But who would have known that it would turn out to be such a stroke of genius.


Poland, Warsaw:

To be honest, we had a preconceived idea that Poland, or Eastern Europe as a whole, is rather unsafe. If you researched on Wikitravel, you would most likely come across terms such as "infamous for pickpocketing" etc. Granted, our perception of Eastern Europe isn't exactly a place of roses and rainbows, if you get what I mean. But we still went ahead with the trip and really never regretted.


In my own words, Warsaw can be represented by several things:

1) Birth place of Frederic Chopin, Poland's composer and virtuoso pianist.
2010 marks the 200th anniversary of Chopin's birth. (not that I know of until I read the magazine on my way BACK from Warsaw.) In any case, we didn't really see anything that has to do with Chopin as the museum was under renovation when we get there. =/




2) The city of Kebab and Coca Cola.
I didn't expect Warsaw to have kebab, must less for it to be FILLED with stores selling kebab. I have always thought that kebab was an Asian dish, or maybe Brazilian, but Polish? But oh well, as long as I get to eat, it doesn't really matter. An interesting thing to note is that Coca Cola seems to be a national drink for the Poles, as almost all signboards outside the restaurants will contain the Coca Cola sign and the price. So basically you can use the price of Coke as a gauge of how expensive the food in the restaurant is going to be.

In any case, you cannot imagine how blessed we feel to eat the Kebab at Warsaw. Being stuck in Copenhagen really made us feel so poor that every meal and every cent has to be counted and planned. To be eating meat (as in real, cooked-in-a-professional-kind-of-way meat) in Copenhagen is really a luxury. Therefore, since Polish food are generally cheaper than Denmark, we were literally binging on the meats in an attempt to satisfy our craving at least until the next trip.




3) A mixture of traditional and modern wonders
To me, Warsaw was really an eye-opener. I just can't seem to put it down in words, but it was simply amazing. We were uncontrollably stopping every 10steps to take a photo, as the architectural designs of the buildings are intricate, grand and beautiful at the same time. The city has at least a dozen churches in a small area, all of which are beautifully designed and built. You can basically close your eyes, turn to any direction, walk straight, and there is like a 99.99% chance of you seeing a church.

But churches are not all that Warsaw offers. There are also numerous sculptures, monuments and palaces, coupled with modernized shopping centers (equipped with Zara, Espirit, Swarovski and the likes). Even the University looks like a cultural heritage center to me. (on another note, I think it actually is!)




Shall stop here for now. Will talk more about my experiences in Warsaw on my next post! Sleeping time! =)

Hello hello! Welcome to my new blog. Just wanted to have a change in blogging environment. And since I'm in Copenhagen now, I probably should have a separate blog to pen down my feelings and experiences!


First thing first, as you all should probably have heard, there are lots and lots of snow here. And I really mean LOTS.

But, it's really beautiful out here. Everything's white, and looks pure, and it's relatively quieter and seems more peaceful. Imagine walking through the streets, looking at the European style buildings, smelling the cold fresh air (did I mention that there are quite little cars on the street as most people ride bicycles or just walked?).

In any case, yes I am enjoying my time here. How I wish that I'm not studying though, but just here for a holiday and enjoying and relaxing myself.


Oh well. Back to reality, I'm still studying here. Today was the first lesson, and I had a mini-culture shock in class. People here are really outspoken, or rather, if I may generalise a little, the westerners are generally more outspoken.

Saying hi while walking past one another even when we don't know each other; reaching out a helping hand to us when we are lost or confused; speaking out in class like it was a normal conversation, not only to ask question but also taking the topic 1 step further etc etc... It really is an eye opener for me.


For now, I'm still in the midst of settling down, and finding my way around town. I've just got a bike, (for freaking 800dkk which is around.. 200+ SGD!!), and that will be my main form of transportation around town. Hmm the coldness here is bearable, but not when the wind comes and definitely not when the ice is melting.


Food wise, I would rather not talk about it. For now, there are quite a few ups and downs, but we are still surviving. (despite the fact that we had a "special" meatball soup with "special" ingredients like screw, and some metal and plastic things. Please refer to my facebook photos.)


People wise, the NTU bunch are okayy.. But I still feel rather detached from them for some reason. I AM shy. And that's a fact. Or rather, introverted may be the better word to describe me. So I think it may take some time for me to get closer to them. I really hope that this exchange can train me to be more outspoken though. =/


Yep that's all for nowww! Shall update when I have the time. =)




P.S.: It is damn tough to make a snowman! Or even a snowball!