kanga
Freshman Pole
Posts: 39
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Post by kanga on Dec 13, 2007 0:49:31 GMT -7
[thanks for an update! Yes, I did hear about a change in goverment. The same happened in Poland. The new Polish and Australian governments are not that Bush-friendly anymore. I am glad to see that Australia also got into the global warming issues more.
Australia and the US will always be a close friends, Australians still remember the US Army defending our shores during WW2. A lot of Americans visit Oz and they love it. The Iraq war has set a bit of a spanner in the works in our current relationships, not with the American people though. The fact remains that Australians see themselves as America's best friend and I am quite sure the Americans love the Aussies!
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Post by valpomike on Dec 13, 2007 7:11:21 GMT -7
Kanga,
Yes, we here in the U.S.A. do love the Australians. And would be again, if need be. I do disagre with you on Poland and Australians not being Bush-friendly anymore. We all need each other. I, myself think, the global warming issues, is all a bunch of bull. But this is just my thinking, and many others, who are much smarter than I am.
Michael Dabrowski
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Mary
Cosmopolitan
Posts: 934
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Post by Mary on Dec 13, 2007 8:00:32 GMT -7
Kanga, Yes, we here in the U.S.A. do love the Australians. And would be again, if need be. I do disagre with you on Poland and Australians not being Bush-friendly anymore. We all need each other. I, myself think, the global warming issues, is all a bunch of bull. But this is just my thinking, and many others, who are much smarter than I am. Michael Dabrowski Michael, This is a very sad thing for me to say, but I don't think that global warming will ever be a real problem because before that happens some nut is going to destroy us all with nukes. Mary
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Post by valpomike on Dec 13, 2007 9:47:06 GMT -7
Mary,
What will happen, will happen, and you and I can't stop this. We must try and help out the best we know how.
Michael Dabrowski
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Post by Jaga on Dec 13, 2007 15:16:03 GMT -7
This is a very sad thing for me to say, but I don't think that global warming will ever be a real problem because before that happens some nut is going to destroy us all with nukes. Mary Hello Mary, that means that there is nothing left to do just pray to God and hope for a salvation! I liked McCain answer, he is a Republican by the way. He said, even if there is no global warming, it would be a benefit for future generations to leave the world cleaner!
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Post by Jaga on Dec 13, 2007 15:17:31 GMT -7
[thanks for an update! Yes, I did hear about a change in goverment. The same happened in Poland. The new Polish and Australian governments are not that Bush-friendly anymore. I am glad to see that Australia also got into the global warming issues more. Australia and the US will always be a close friends, Australians still remember the US Army defending our shores during WW2. A lot of Americans visit Oz and they love it. The Iraq war has set a bit of a spanner in the works in our current relationships, not with the American people though. The fact remains that Australians see themselves as America's best friend and I am quite sure the Americans love the Aussies! Kanga, Poles still believe that the US is a better country than Russia but they are becoming disenchanted with the military policies of the US. Please, send us some Xmas pictures from Australia if you would have a chance!
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Mary
Cosmopolitan
Posts: 934
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Post by Mary on Dec 13, 2007 15:24:09 GMT -7
This is a very sad thing for me to say, but I don't think that global warming will ever be a real problem because before that happens some nut is going to destroy us all with nukes. Mary Hello Mary, that means that there is nothing left to do just pray to God and hope for a salvation! I liked McCain answer, he is a Republican by the way. He said, even if there is no global warming, it would be a benefit for future generations to leave the world cleaner! Hi Jaga, You are absolutely right! We need to conserve and do whatever we can with the hope that there will be civilization on this earth for thousands of years to come. I just worry terribly about the future generations with the very real prospect of a nuclear war. This is a beautiful, but dangerous world we live in. Mary
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Post by Jaga on Dec 16, 2007 23:57:51 GMT -7
I found a post about how weak dollar is. It is a bit shocking and hard to believe: PARIS — Erica Nevins’s faith in the dollar was shaken the moment she pressed a crumpled $1 bill into the hand of a little girl begging for money on the streets of Marrakesh, Morocco. “I don’t want this. This is nothing,” Ms. Nevins recalled the scornful reaction of the child, who demanded more. Since then Ms. Nevins, an American fashion executive, has replayed that moment over and over in her head as she confronts the harsh reality of living on a dollar income in Paris and then moving to costly London. “The absurdity of this is that it’s so true,” she said. “A dollar really means nothing. It’s scary.” With plunging exchange rates, American expatriates whose pensions or incomes are paid in dollars are scrimping. No more dinners out when a bottle of Perrier for 3.50 euros translates to $5 and no more holiday shopping binges when a shiny iPod for 159 euros is equal to $230. Ultimately, some are moving to greener pastures that match the color of their money. “Those that can hold out are holding their breath and we’re hoping for a return of the dollar, but those that can’t are going,” said Susie Bondi, an American who has lived in Paris for 12 years, but is moving to Vienna in January with her husband, Fred, to stretch their pension dollars in a city with a lower cost of living. The last six months have been anxious for expatriates, with the dollar sinking against the euro, the pound and currencies like the Czech koruna and the Costa Rican colón. The declines are accelerating the flight of expatriates in Europe, according to tax lawyers who listen to the problems of clients who are giving up because they see no relief in sight. ... www.nytimes.com/2007/12/15/business/worldbusiness/15squeeze.html?em&ex=1198040400&en=d824db9fcaeeb96d&ei=5087%0A
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kanga
Freshman Pole
Posts: 39
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Post by kanga on Jan 1, 2008 22:47:34 GMT -7
I remember when one US dollar was worth a lot in Poland, I remember when 10 US dollars would pay for a table at a restaurant and pay the cost for all food and drinks for 6 people. With the fall of the value of the US dollar and rises in food and in particular real estate prices, I think many people will think twice about going to a Poland to visit or to live. When you consider a plane fare to Poland say from Oz cost about 2000US$ and insurance etc it soon adds up. Apart from the historic buildings everything which Poland has can be accessed in the US and Oz. I have been to the US and it is a beautiful place in every way, in Oz it is much the same, mountains, perfect beaches and natural forests. Sometimes I wonder why people go to Poland, I suspect because everything was so cheap. Many people tell me that they will not visit Poland again because it is too expensive and the people have changed. I suspect people needs to feel Polish is best fulfilled by tuning into Polish cable tv, and the internet. My uncle lives in Poland and receives 800zl a month pension, I don't know how he survives!
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Pawian
European
Have you seen my frog?
Posts: 3,266
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Post by Pawian on Jan 2, 2008 3:28:56 GMT -7
I remember when one US dollar was worth a lot in Poland, I remember when 10 US dollars would pay for a table at a restaurant and pay the cost for all food and drinks for 6 people. Yes, you are probably talking about communist times when Poles earned 25 dollars per month, at black market exchange rate. Those were really happy years for foreigners. Everything was as cheap as dirt for them. But that was sick. Fro Poles, buying anything imported from abroad meant saving for months or even years. Today it is so normal. E.g., I can buy all kinds of exotic fruit which is often cheaper than local fruit like apples or pears. So, I am sorry but I do not pity you here at all. No, tourists will always come to Poland because it is still cheaper than in the West, especially services. Of course, everything can be accessed everywhere. But with such thinking people would never go anywhere, if they can sit at home and watch TV. It means they would like to have it for free, like in communism? How? Aaa, now I understand why this forum is so popular! hahahaha His family abroad helps him? ? hahahahahaha
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Post by livia on Jan 2, 2008 5:04:26 GMT -7
Kanga, please excuse my response but I find it very strange what you have written. Is LIFE only about the money? If you come to Poland you will be able to deeply breath the freshness, the change, the vibrating energy. It is rarely felt in the countries I know with economy well-established since many years. It is REALLY something different. Just come and see. Look what a young woman wrote about Warszawa, it is very exemplary ;D ;D ;D
>>>>With my bad english, i hope you'll understand me, i want to say you this !
In 1990, whan my brother was for the 1st time in VARSOVIA, he describe me the city like this '' ugly ''.
In 1998, he came 2nd time ( he is bizness men, londres-paris-varsovie, he works for UPS ). So 8 years after, he describe me VARSOVIA again, he said :
'' I see NEW city, I could not believe that is the same city i saw in 1990, it's incredible, anywhere you can see such transormation, in 20 years Paris, Rome change a little what VARSOVIE do in 8 years... '' - So, i ask him, it's always UGLY ? He answer to me '' not of course not '' ...
In 2007, his 3rd visit to VARSOVIA ( he works now Paris - Berlin - Katowtz - Kiev ). I was in VARSOVIE 2005, 2006 et 2007 ( for my work ) and this year 2007, we were together for the 1st time ...
I ask him '' so what you think after 9 years you weren't here, his answer was '' Ah my GOD, what a splendid city, i love old and new VARSOVIA, i have to come here next year ...
he add '' i don't know now if i was really in VARSOVIE in 1990, because what i see now, i never see such great architecture in 1990 '' ... VARSOVIA is spectaculare, if i knew that the city will be 2007 like this, in 1990 will never leave this place ...
In France, 1990 to 2002, VARSOVIE has a bad image in our media.
In France 2007, 8 touristic guides, describe VARSOVIE like one of the most increible city in EUROPE ...
In MEDIA 2007 : '' Old and New, has everything for each one, splendid places with modern scraper, even most intersting than BERLIN, will charmed you ''
In TV 2007, many touristic film ( discovery, national geographic etc ) ... " year after year more beautiful, VARSOVIE surprise you everywhere, it's the end of ugly image of this place because, it's not the same place '' ....
Well, many changings about VARSOVIE in 2007 '' MEDIA, TV, BOOKS etc. " .. google, put 25 pages about VARSOVIE every 4 hours ...
The city is in 2007, wanted by the best architects in on earth, all want to put here their best buildings ... they said, it's the only place in Europe, that our dream can become true, because anywhere else did't exist places for new contructions ...
And some of the best architects add '' more intersting than Berlin in near futur, for sure ! ''
And in 2007, our 3 most populare tourist guides, put for the 1st time : '' VIVA beautiful VARSOVIE - goodbye old stereotipe ''
So, you'll see that me too, i'm in love with this city ...
Bravo for you Polish people, you show to the world, that it's possibe in a little time transform the ugly city to a very beautiful city ... yes i know many have to be done, but yet now the results are spectaculare .... <<<<
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Post by rdywenur on Jan 2, 2008 6:38:48 GMT -7
I strongly disagree with Kanga and wholly with Livia. My only bad experience was a run in with a gestapo like lady who screamed like a banshee at the airport in Warsaw. (How did I know all airports aren't huge with more than one person able to use at a time a toilet nor do I have super human powers to see through closed doors) Thsi was my first time to Poland.
I found the country to be so beautiful and nothing like I was expecting (rumors of old communist ways, no toilet paper, they told me I would have to use an outhouse, no plumbing) Now I know much differently and can laugh at this as obviously it was teasing. My family there was so warm and gracious and there seemed there was not enough they could do for me. (I finally had to stop admiring everything I saw or it would be in my suitcase) It brought tears to my eyes.
Also I was surprised to see how fast the technical world was catching up in such a short time. I found a computer to email home to. Everyone seemed to be born with a cell phone attached to their ear and there were tv dishes all over. And red hair everywhere...LOL even the older ladies.
The country was and is amazing. The people warm and gracious, Food ...smacznego!!! I can't wait for my next time to go there.
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Post by valpomike on Jan 2, 2008 10:06:57 GMT -7
To all,
My last round trip ticket on LOT, this past April was around $700.00 American, not $2,000.00, and I love Poland, and her people. I will go back each chance I get, whatever the exchange rate will be. We don't want just anyone to come to Poland, so it won't be over run with bad people. Poland live on, and keep getting better each day, and the same for her wonderfull people. In 2004 on my visit, the exchange rate was around 4.0 to one American, and in this past year, 2007, it was around 2.50 to one American, and this could be good for Poland.
Michael Dabrowski
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piwo
Citizen of the World
Co Słychać?
Posts: 1,189
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Post by piwo on Jan 2, 2008 13:51:44 GMT -7
To all, My last round trip ticket on LOT, this past April was around $700.00 American, not $2,000.00, And for those who are able to travel late September - April, this is fantastic. From early May through September, tickets start @ $1,200 once all the little taxes have been added to your ticket, and that is usually for a round trip that has 14-19 hour "each way" legs. Since the kids are all in school (there and here), such a trip in the off season is not possible for me, and most others. I guess that's why they can charge so much during the "peak season".... I have looked till my eyes crossed for any ticket that would get me onto continental Eurpope at a good rate during the "travel season" and then rely on the little puddle jumpers to get to Warsawa, but to no avail.
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Post by valpomike on Jan 2, 2008 14:42:26 GMT -7
piwo,
The trip takes around 8 hours, and the cost was with everything, and does not go up later, since, April is the start of the season. This is a direct flight from Chicago, to Warsaw. If you go in the winter, when school is out, it is cheaper. I use LOT Airlines, not the best, but good, and direct. Spend it, you can't take it with you anyway. Do it now, don't put it off, since at your age, some day, you won't wake up, and will have missed it.
Michael Dabrowski
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