Christmas in Charlotte

We very much enjoyed being back home in Charlotte for Christmas! Adrienne was the first to fly to Charlotte a few days before David and I flew in on December 18. We bought and decorated a tree with Lindsay and Adrienne the next day and picked up Nate, who flew in from Portland. We went out to Sticky Fingers then celebrated his birthday on the 20th. But no pictures--rats! We had some fun holiday moments: caroling with the Pineville First Ward, driving to Boone for Thai food and a road trip to see Christmas lights, and having Lindsay's friend Diego, and his aunt, uncle, and cousin--who were visiting from Colombia over for dinner on Christmas. Helping Lindsay with bringing in food to a family whose daughter (Lindsay knew in the Singles Ward) passed away just days before Christmas reminded us how blessed we are. It makes us especially thankful for the many gifts of Jesus Christ, the reason for the season.

Being home just wouldn't be the same without our sweet cats. Although this picture doesn't capture Chewy's energy, he is vigorously trying to leap from Lindsay's arms. Which reminds me, while singing the Twelve Days of Christmas, Nate pondered the logic of 10 lords-a-leaping. Why are they leaping? Other than the aliteration any ideas? Our other cat Lily kept running from me as I tried to grab (not something any cat appreciates) her for a quick picture. She is darling however, so we may post a picture of her as well.

Camera on the tripod...take one, two, three. Good enough! Taken after watching the Rose Bowl. Dispite our attempts to celebrate with company, a "Go Ducks" football cake and leaving the decorations up for one last day before Adrienne and David fly to Salt Lake, Oregon didn't deliver. Oh well, we still enjoyed the cake!

With Adrienne and David off on their flights to Salt Lake, it's time for Un-decorating Day! For future use it might be nice to know if you have traditions that could help this day be more fun. Other than listening to non-Christmas music while the tree goes down and boxes hauled to the attic, I'm not sure what would be a fun way to celebrate the beginning of a new year. How about bowling?

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.

Roadtrip to Southern Poland and Prague

A couple of weeks ago we had a wonderful visit with our daughter Lauren and Aaron (her husband.) who flew in from Salt Lake City and after seeing Old Town in Warsaw we went on a whirlwind 5-day trip with them to Krakow, Auschwitz and Prague.

We enjoyed two nights in Krakow at a Bed and Breakfast, first visiting a Salt Mine that was amazing! David and I were just hoping for something to do that would get us out of the rain. But we had no idea what a treat we were in for when we first climbed down staircase after staircase after staircase. Lauren (our trip planner) had researched it and had a better idea, although it exceeded her expectations.

You can read about the Wieliczka Salt Mine online. We learned that it has been in operation for 900 years. Once, it was one of the “world's biggest and most profitable industrial establishments when common salt was commercially a medieval equivalent of today's oil.” Since the mid-18th century Krakow's Wieliczka Salt Mine has become increasingly a tourist attraction. For years David's saying "back to the salt mines," did not conjure the images we now have in mind. We were amazed by the many tunnels and art-work carved in the walls and chambers of the mine.

This picture was taken by David a week before the kids arrived. Located 20 minutes from where we live, Wilanow was built for Jan Sobieski (r. 1674-96), Poland's heroic monarch. Sobieski led the Catholic Allies in the liberation of Vienna from the Turks in 1683. Touring through this palace with Lauren and Aaron the day after we returned from our trip, I'm sure David will want to return for an indoor tour.

We loved the beautiful city Prague and enjoyed visiting a museum and the Old City Center there. It seems that all of the ancient cities of Central Europe have an "old town".

The magnificent churches and architecture spanning hundreds of years give each "old town" its distinctive appeal. It's fun to speculate on the lives that have walked the streets and wonder how each generation has left its mark to all that we now enjoy.

Even though we are experiencing these cities in the blustery fall or pre winter season, we managed to find a great deal of life and activity around every corner. Even though we were surrounded by many other tourists, we could sense

the unique culture of the local people of Praga. Praga is the Czech Republic spelling for Praque as we know it. It would be well worth a return trip to see the castles and other sites that we had no time to visit on this trip.

Thanks Lauren for being a terrific trip planner--we loved touring castles, the salt mine, eating out and visiting along the way! When we get together over Christmas we'll have to play Favorite Five again adding some elements of our memorable vacation.

A few more pictures on All Saints Day

I loved the glow and warmth created from hundreds of candles left on many of the graves in the cemetery.

How gorgeous the leaves were in full autumn color just before falling. A walk five days later leaves were not just fallen from the trees but raked into piles, showing much effort given in taking care of the cemetery. Kind of those leaves to stay on the trees for All Saints Day!

All Saints Day

Halloween is barely noticed by Poles in Warsaw. A few pumpkins were lit in restaurants beconing tourists or festive-minded site see-ers like ourselves on October 31. However, the cold, crisp night air didn't detract thousands of Poles from paying respects with lit candles and flowers on November 1, All Saints Day to neighborhood cemeteries. We walked about 4 kilometers from our apartment and back to a large cemetery with the Stuckis. Prior to our late night trek, they showed us how to make gnochi (amazing Italian potato noodle fare coated in gorgonzola, butter and pecans--delicious! Paula Dean's never made anything better!) What could be better than memories of that delicious meal? Nothing, but our friends' photos (our camera was out of juice) which they were kind enough to share with us provide equally wonderful mementos of that Polish holiday.

On the way to the cemetery we passed the Monument for the Fallen and Murdered in the East. It commemorates all the victims of the Soviets who after they had invaded Poland in 1939, deported the population of Eastern Poland to Gulags and killed about 30 000 P.O.Ws.

The bronze cast monument includes a piece of a railway track and a wagon similar to those used by the Soviets for deportations.

Many westerners are only aware of the cruelty of the Nazi occupation in Poland. The Poles, however, are very mindful of the extreme conditions that existed thoughout history under the occupying forces of the former Soviet Union. Leading up to WWII and by the end of the War, Poland lost more than 7 million people to extreme cruelty. This includes the 3 milliion Polish Jews.

Autumn Comes to Lazienki Park

We finally made it out to Lazienki Park to view the Autumn leaves. Last Sunday we took the camera with us on a chilly walk. After the shneg incident we worried that fall would turn to winter and squash opportunities to enjoy fall colors.

Here's David on his last carefree Sunday. As of today he's serving as a counselor in the Branch Presidency along with President Rob Smith who works at the US Embassy.

Last night we ate at the Smith's house with a few other families. We are getting to know some people in the branch including a "nomadic opera family" whom we feel are like "old friends," especially as 3-year-old Colin called out "Where's my Polish Grandpa?" when David went to sit on the stand in church. Our branch was treated to Brian's vocal and piano talent singing, "I Need Thee Every Hour." We'll blog more about them and the opera house after seeing "The Fall of the House of Usher" in November. Although Ann claims it's not virtuous, lovely, or of good report, we're sure it will be praiseworthy and look forward to that.

We are told that, even in the winter, the park continues to be a great place to retreat and enjoy its natural beauty. The stillness and striking views provide a great place to relax in spite of the temperature extremes of the Warsaw Winter.

These photos provide you with a small glimpse of the serenity encountered in our favorite place to visit in the city of Warsaw.

Speaking of striking views - Lisa found it necessary to strike one from my view.