Turkey Day - Done Right - The American Way in Warsaw

Today was an interesting an somewhat lackluster day on the touristy side of things.
(Note: I have not really blogged about much of anything for the last few weeks, but I have some stories to tell)

A few weeks ago, while taking a poorly guided walking tour of Warsaw with fellow Angloville mates, I noticed a sign for Warsaw International Church. I took a mental note of where the church was, and decided I would research it at a later date.

This morning I decided I would venture out on this very gloomy day and visit WIC, as it called by the members. The service was a little short, though the music was very Presbyterian. There were a few more members than my church in Daegu, and the service was run a little more traditionally as well. As soon as the service ended I was invited along with Norwegian visitors to the potluck Thanksgiving meal.

 This meal was hosted by one of the Americans who is a member, named Dan. He has a great job at the United States Embassy, and is married to a very lovely Polish lady. They have two really good kids. Dan gave me a ride to their house for the meal, and gave me quite a bit of information about the outer Warsaw area, and his work history in and out of Poland. He is well versed in the language too. His kids get both Polish and English at home, which is pretty exciting to watch.

The meal had everything that the standard Thanksgiving meal would have -  Turkey, ham, stuffing, cranberry sauce, veggies, pumpkin pie, sweet potato pie, etc. I was very full, and definitely thought running was going to take a lot of effort tonight. I was very thankful to have found this church today, and to meet the fine members who hail from places like the United States, and Poland, as well as Iran, Brazil, and Nigeria (the Pastor is Nigerian).

I do not have any pictures, but tomorrow night I may be pulling an all-night event, since I have to be at the Chopin Airport at around 4 am - to get my connecting flight to Amsterdam. Happy Christ The King Sunday as well.

Some shots from Auschwitz

This was the most sobering place that I have ever visited in my life.

The concentration camp at Auschwitz-Birkenau is just one of those places that you can not describe. 

Here are the few pictures that I did take though. 

These pictures do not require any captions.

Back in Warsaw

I am back in Warsaw for a few days before I head back home. I spent the last week in Krakow. The last few days of my time in Krakow were spent with Mark, an Army vet from Nashville, TN. It was nice to spend time with someone was from the same area of the world. Mark is definitely a true Southern man. He may be a little conservative, but I can disregard that part. Perhaps Mark and I will meet again in December, in the Nashville area.

Good Times at Angloville

I'm in Love

. . . . with Krakow -- this place is freakin' awesome.

I have a ton of stuff to blog about, but I am working on applying for some jobs here in Poland first this evening. I will add a few pictures sometime soon. 

Something about my musical hero

Here is something awesome that happened today regarding The Possum.

George Jones

Brasov

Here are a few wonderful pictures from Brasov in the Transylvania region of Romania. This is one of the most beautiful, and frequently visited areas of Romania.

Architecture, landscape, people (Romanian Women = glorious eye candy), food, and most importantly, value.

Anyway, here are a few of the picture that I got from the journey.

                                        Testing out some new gear at a renaissance festival

                                                       Very improper

                                                     Beautiful Brasov

                                                  Brasov's Main Square

                                                     Walking toward the Square

                                                       Food at the renaissance festival

                                          Some skilled fighters

                                            Sunset

                                                     Two Aussies and a Tower

A few pictures from Beautiful Romania

Here are a few pictures from Bucharest, a place that is known as Little Paris in Eastern Europe. This place was definitely stunning, and the people were wonderful as well. I really feel that I could live here and be even happier than I was in Sofia.

Enjoy. 

                                         beautiful architecture

                                           another great one

                                           second biggest building in the world

                                                       a little friend - one of the many strays (did not see many though)

                                                        beautiful

Jimmy loves his KFC

Hello from . . . .

Angloville.

I arrived with other native speakers, and a few of the Polish participants to the Buge River area, which is close to the border of Belarus and Poland. The weather here is average for Autumn in this cold country. Today was the first full day of Angloville. We had a few one-on-one sessions with Polish folks, and had a few group activities as well. The breakfast this morning was great, as was the dinner last night. Lunch was not so good, and today's dinner was a little on the average side. This area is very beautiful though. 

Beautiful but Rough Drive

I entered two countries for the first time ever today. One was just to pass through though. Lauren, Jimmy, and I left Budapest (where we stayed with a friend I met in Macedonia), for Krakow this morning.

We drove through the mountains of Slovakia, which was beautiful considering the snow we saw, and the majestic overcasts.

I even recalled seeing a rainbow before we crossed into Poland.

Anyway, Slovakia seems to be a beautiful country in regards to mountainous drives.

Just wanted to share!

Veliko Turnovo

Slowly, and slowly, I am posting pictures of this trip. These pictures are from last Monday, October 28th. 

I should have some free time to get things caught up over the next few days.

Veliko Turnovo was the medieval capital of Bulgaria, so it has some pretty important structures and monuments, along with a very impressive Old Town as well. 

                                                   I am loving the reflections

                            A big monument to those a led an uprising against the Byzantine Empire

                                                  Part of the big fortress in VT

                                                            Fortress again

                                                            Ringin' the bell

                                              Group Selfie

                                              Pretty side of VT

Krakow

Greetings from Krakow!

I will be here until Friday morning, before finally making my way to Warsaw.

This place is so beautiful, and old. I think I have fallen in love with a few cities on this little trip, but I am thinking this may top the list.

After checking into our hostel this afternoon, we found a wonderful Asian restaurant near the Old Town. It seemed like we were eating a mix of Chinese, Thai, and Vietnamese cuisines.

Tomorrow is a little trip to Auschwitz.

Plovdiv, Bulgaria

After Istanbul Lauren and I visited Plovdiv, my personal favorite city in Bulgaria - Sofia is a very close 2nd place though. We spend a good thirty hours there. We stayed in an amazing guest house in the Old Town part of Plovdiv. The place was amazing.

Here is a little piece about the guest house. Hostel Old Plovdiv

Here are a few pictures from our time here.

                                               Old Roman Amphitheater

                                             Crazy but interesting work holding up these rocks

                                                Ancient Stadium

                               

                                                        from outside one of the churches

                                                       On top of one of seven hills in Plovdiv

                                                    this thing is awesome

I use to live in Daegu, if you can see the sign

                                                        Old entrance to the Old Town

Some of the Istanbul Pictures from Last Week

So I am finally taking the time to post some pictures from my 40-something hours in Istanbul last week.

I will slowly get more pictures uploaded over the next week or two from Bulgaria, and Romania as well.

                                                       Basilica Sistern -- amazing

                                                        with a super nice waiter

                                                       One of the biggest markets in the world

                                                      Kebabs everywhere

                                                        Fresh squeezed juices were great

                                                              Harleys in Turkey?

                                                        Blue Mosque at night

                                                         Haggia Sofia

                                                    I've been taking many pics of strays

                                                         Very innovative

                                                        Beautiful park

                                                     Hotel cat

                                                      Tons of people in this place

                                              Marmar Sea

                                                      Spice Bazaar