Christmas Around the Corner

Tonight is our last night in Warsaw prior to joining the family back in Charlotte for the Christmas holidays. Most of our children were able to rendezvous with us for a Family Christmas gathering in North Carolina. Lauren and Aaron are in the middle of closing on a new home in Oregon and could not make it out. They visited us in Warsaw last month so we were able to catch up with them recently. We will miss them though.

We wanted to get out another posting before leaving on our flight early tomorrow morning. So we spent this evening on one last stroll through our neighborhood in Warsaw. We couldn't help but enjoy the new snow which makes our Old Town District such a beautiful setting for this holy season. The lights, the trees, the churches all seem to paint a peaceful picture worthy of any postcard. Even our old camera was able to record a portion of the scene.

A few blocks down our street, you see the NEW town oak tree. For eight months out of the year this area is filled with bustling crowds and sidewalk cafes with colorful umbrellas. Many people can't wait for those seasons to return.

But on evenings like this one, I'm perfectly content. The bleakness of winter is lost on me when I see the images that we just encountered around the corner from our apartment.

In OLD town square (just a few blocks down our street) a number of vendors have set up shop selling everything from cheese, sausages, handicrafts, Pottery and every thing in between. The Blue Christmas tree is more striking in person. We have completed our Christmas shopping in these little shops.

The old Town Square is framed by the colorful old shops that blend into the background.

These shanty town vendors are a hearty lot. I don't know how they can remain out in the cold for very long.

The final view of the old town square as we head back to the warmth of our apartment. We shall see it again in January when weather gets really cold.

Walking back down our street, the light was just perfect to catch this beautiful church. All the churches seem to have a special appeal.

The final look back as we approach the apartment. One of these days we'll have to discuss the significance of the church in the background.

December in Warsaw

This is taken inside Blue City, a mall we like to shop at because it contains our favorite grocery store, Piotr i Pawel. The mall has potential for growth.

When it opened the developers probably anticipated more stores coming to the mall, but because of the economy it's not filled to capacity. Still a nice place to wander around, especially with the holiday decorations.

In the Old Town Square is this tree and fountain. Pictures not as good as in real life. Night-time photography still a bit of challenge with this camera.

Although not seen in this picture, the square is filled with booths where entrepreneurs, braving cool outdoor weather both during the day and evening, display their merchandise throughout December.

We enjoyed some grilled smoked cheese with a bit of cranberry compote on top. Sounds strange, but tastes quite delicious. Just a few bites but a satisfying way to spend 3 zlotes.

Lanterns across the street in New Town. We walked under the lights up since around the third week in November anticipating when they would be lit.

Heard we missed a big tree-lighting ceremony on the first Sunday in December. Since then we've seen them lit each time we stroll down to Stary Miasto in search or food, gifts or just to enjoy the scenery.

Further down the street where we live (a couple blocks away) in New Town (nowy miasto.) We love the simple white lights which lend an understated elegance to the Christmas season.

This tree located in New Town square was beautiful in autumn. Just as spectacular (or more so at night) with beautiful lights on each branch that must've taken quite a lot of effort to decorate.

In front of the Royal Palace. Even though it was barely above

freezing, there was a plethora of pedestrians taking in the sights.

Last night we heard one lone violinist in front of the palace playing "If I Were a Rich Man," from Fiddler on the Roof. Couldn't resist dropping some coins in his violin case, a pittance to help make his dream come true. Always easier to pay for services, especially when musicians contribute to the ambiance with heart-felt showmanship.