A couple of weeks ago friends Chris and Patty flew into Warsaw to screen their award winning movie ABDUCTION The Megumi Yokota Story at the Planete Doc film festival. It was quite kind of them to bring their film to Poland since we'd missed seeing it in most other major cities around the world. If you haven't heard of the movie yet definitely check out the link.

While I was diligently studying away at my intensive Polish class - Oczywiscie! - Jan took the duo down to Krakow to show them the most important sites: Auschwitz, Wawel Castle and Aunt Anna. There's a even an online photo gallery if you want to take a peep. Here's one shot with the famous aunt.


Back in Warsaw, I spent the afternoon on an epic walk with dear Klara, my former co-worker from Canada World Youth days. Our expedition ended us up in Praga, on the "right" side of the Vistula River that divides Warsaw. Of course ask anyone in Warsaw and they'll tell you that Praga is on the "wrong" side of the river, but never mind, best not to aggravate intra-city rivalries.

One amazing thing that Praga can boast is an actual beach! Not what I expected to find in Warsaw. Sadly the river is far too polluted these days to venture a dip, but apparently there was a thriving beach scene in pre-war and shortly post-war Warsaw. Klara described seeing pictures of bathers in striped suits and ice cream kiosks lining the sandy banks of the river. These days the Warsaw side is buttressed with concrete steps but the Praga side is still wild and natural.

This entry was posted on Tuesday, June 05, 2007 at 4:03 p.m.. You can skip to the end and leave a response.