War- saw

22/10/13- 25/10/13

Poland
Warsaw 

For a town that was almost completely flattened during WW2, Warsaw is a large cosmopolitan city complete with fancy high-rises, huge shopping complexes, a grand old town and beautiful parks. It is hard to believe that this city was all rubble and ruins less than 65 years ago. It is quite strange to walk through the ‘old’ town, a UNESCO heritage site, knowing that it was actually completely rebuilt in the 50’s.

Warsaw just after WWII

Modern buildings and skyscrapers 

 During our free Walking tour we learnt a lot about Warsaw’s past and the spirit of it’s people.  After the heavy bombing in WW2 many remaining Warsaw-ians returned to the destroyed city and were literally living in the ruins fighting for their freedom. The city’s national pride is still alive in Warsaw today, with many children still being taught that the best thing they can do for their country is to fight and die for it. We also leant of some famous people who had a love for Warsaw. During a visit to the capital, Picasso painted the mermaid in battle (Warsaw’s symbol) on a wall of an apartment where he was staying in old town. During soviet times, the family who were placed in the apartment complained about receiving 100’s of visitors a day to see a Picasso artwork so the Soviet officers painted over it! We also visited a bar and learnt how to drink polish vodka, no hangovers! ; cold, shot straight, never sipped and always with food.

The Palace

not so 'old' old town

Mermaid statue

Part of the old fort walls

After the walking tour and a picnic lunch of herring, we went for a long walk in the many parks dissecting the city. We felt that it was well and truly autumn, with golden leaves covering the ground. We walked all the way to the statue of Chopin, who was born in Poland.

Autumn is here!

Statue of Chopin

The second day was rainy and cold so we decided to visit the Uprising Museum. During WW2, some of the people of Warsaw banded together in the rubble of their destroyed city to fight for freedom. They made use of everything they could find, from broken guns discarded by the Germans to home made explosives. The museum was full of interesting things from this time, including a impressive donated firearms collection. It was moving to see that although they were outnumbered by the German’s and had limited resources they still fought for the city. 

Some of the museum's firearms collection 

Now off to the Baltics :)

- Leah