Days 18-21 Warsaw

 We took the Intercity Express train from Wroclaw to Warsaw. Unlike our train from Warsaw to Opole, which was fantastic, this one was a horrible experience. To begin with – it was an hour late even though it originated in Wroclaw. The platform was insanely crowded, it was hot, and they announced delays in 10-minute increments so we had to stay on the platform and wait. They also didn’t serve us snacks (like on the other train) and the restaurant car was mobbed with only one Ukrainian guy doing everything – taking orders, preparing and serving food, and taking money. The poor fellow was completely overwhelmed.

 

We were supposed to stay in Bo’s friend’s apartment, but the building had a bug infestation and had to be fumigated so she booked us a hotel. Motel One- Chopin is a new hotel, in a great location in the center near the Chopin Museum. It is hip and very design-oriented. The service is also good, but the rooms are very small. We joked that if we had larger suitcases, they would not fit in the room.

 

Bo had 3 things she wanted to accomplish in Warsaw: visit (1) Polin Museum of the Polish Jews, (2) Museum of the Warsaw Uprising, and (3) meet with a group of art conservators she’s been virtually collaborating with for a couple of years. All 3 were accomplished. Polin was amazing. The Uprising Museum was too crowded to be enjoyable. Unfortunately, we didn’t know that the day we went to see it was a free day and the line to get in was around the block. The meeting with conservators took place in Wilanow, and we also got a private tour of the palace. 

 

In addition, we explored Powisle, a part of Warsaw that used to be neglected and poor and is now hip and gentrified. We went to Bulwary Nadwislanskie and the new pedestrian bridge, and on the way discovered the old power plant converted to a super modern shopping/restaurant facility. We also went to two great restaurants – The Farm and Kieliszki na Proznej, and had great breakfasts in Byc Moze café. 




















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