Brooke came to visit Warsaw.
SUCH A TREAT!
I was jumping with Joy about where we could take her first and what to do and how we were going to get everything "in" that I wanted to show her.
I began our little excursion showing her around most of Warsaw. I didn't even think to bring a camera this day because I'd already seen these sites... but... courtesy of Brooke's amazing photography skills (and kindness in sharing her pictures with me). We captured some really great shots that really embody the uniqueness and history of Warsaw.
This monument is entitled, "Monument for the Fallen and Murdered in the East." On each of the "wooden slats" where train tracks are laid is a name belonging to a city in Poland in which the city was completely emptied of Poles. This monument commemorates all the victims that the Soviets shipped off and deported to Katyn when they invaded Poland in 1939. The railway track and car, although casted in bronze, are meant to look similar to those which were actually used by the Soviets during the time period. I love this monument and it was only by accident Brooke and I stumbled upon it... but I feel like it is a really emotional statement. I don't really think that people understood what those in living in this part of Europe went through with WWII. When people think "Poland" they think of concentration camps and Nazis... but there is so much more behind their history with the invasion of the Soviet Union and the way they were oppressed after the war. I recently read an extremely powerful book entitled, "Between Shades of Gray" which gives a perspective of an Eastern European who was more affected by the Soviet Union than the Germans. This book was extremely well written and drew you in and made you feel like you were related to the girl giving the story. 
Our next stop was a monument commemorating the heroes of the Warsaw Uprising. This is such an iconic monument in Warsaw, that I HAD to include it in my blog update... even though it's made an appearance twice prior to this.
Then, after a million other sites, we made our way to the Old City. I even got Brooke to do a jumping picture so I had to document it (since I can't tag her on FaceBook since she doesn't have an account... even though I have teased her about signing up for her).
She got some incredible air. I'm pretty sure that this will have to be a new tradition that she starts!
And after about 6 tries (or maybe more) we finally got a picture of the two of us with this classic "Warsaw Mermaid" in the background. We didn't want to ask anyone to take our pictures because they were too busy feeding pigeons - and well - that is just gross.
After seeing so much of Warsaw (and finding out Michal had 2 days off) we totally took advantage of that and hopped on a train and headed to Krakow. I would be a crime to come all the way out to Poland and not visit Krakow.
Our first visit was to Auschwitz. Since I'd already been there twice, and it's not exactly the most uplifting place, I decided to sit this one out while Michal & Brooke went on a guided tour. This is what I did...
This is what they did.
We headed back to Krakow and Brooke (even though she hardly took any pictures) got some amazing shots to capture the non-scenic things, but quirky things that made our trip SO worth it.
Here we are sitting in the FRONT of the Bus. That's right... the best seats. I don't know what I was thinking when I was younger that it was sooooo cool to sit in the "back of the bus" because the front of the bus has the best view and the most leg room (and you get the least car-sick).
Brooke also captured the best hotel I have EVER stayed in. Period. It had the most modern bathroom. It had the most comfortable bed (next to my bed in storage). AND... It had incredible air conditioning. All for under $50. We really lucked out! I married the greatest guy for finding incredible hotels to stay in Europe!
The next day we saw some incredible sites in Krakow.
Old Jewish Cemetery. Here the Nazi's destroyed tombstones and turned them over to pave the streets with the concrete. After the War they were reconstructed as a wall and a symbolic grave for all those whose resting places go unknown.
New Jewish Cemetery. This place is overflowing with greenery and peace. You almost feel like you are walking on sacred ground in this place.
Onward to the Wawel Castle.
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| We can't leave out Michal! |
We concluded our face-paced journey to Krakow and sped to the train station - only to find out our train was delayed. I was SO grateful for the chance to sit down and rest my poor feet.
When we went back to Warsaw we realized that Brooke really liked gardens... so we made sure to go and see Lazienki Park & the Wilanow Palace and Gardens.
Lazienki Park is known for having Peacocks... but I found out two things this day that I never knew before. 1 - When they get hot they dig a hole in the cool dirt and lay in it. 2 - They can fly. Otherwise I have NO IDEA how this Peacock made it all the way up into that tree.
Wilanow Palace
This place is absolutely breathtaking. Louis XIV's Versailles has nothing on this place. We got in for free - otherwise - I'm pretty sure that I would come here every single day to do Yoga or Read or just soak up the beauty that God gave us here on earth!
With Brooke's last day we decided to see things in Warsaw that neither Michal or I had seen before - hence - we were off to Praga (the east side of the Wisla River).
I love, love, love Bazaars - and was terribly sad when I found out this one was closed. (Can't you tell from the expression on our faces).
This is a relatively new site in Warsaw. It was erected in 2006 to commemorate when such bands used to play and roam the courtyards of Warsaw. Michal loves Jazz, and with there being a banjo - we decided it was definitely a Jazz band!
Last, but not least, we saw some pretty cool churches in Praga which weren't very destroyed in WWII.
Michal & I were so sad to see Brooke go. At first, we were nervous, thinking what are we going to show her for 8 days... but after she was gone - it was lonelier in our little apartment.
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| A Polish tour book of the United States - and guess what is on the cover - UTAH! How great is that!?! |
Brooke is such an amazing friend. I am so lucky to have her in my life and even luckier that she would spend all that money to come out and visit me in Warsaw. I am a blessed person and so grateful for the friendship we share. Brooke really helped me talk through some hard issues I was dealing with and helped me see a different side to everything. She was such a good example to me, and I'm pretty sure she read the Book of Mormon about 3 times while she was in Warsaw. That girl made me look bad. Thank you Brooke! MICHAL & I LOVE YOU!
