East Europe – A Selection of Photos

ooking back on the seventeen days spent in East European countries,I have an almost dizzying sense of so many experiences. Some uplifting and exciting; others more of a depressing nature. Up until twenty five years ago, these people were being oppressed under the evil yoke of Russia’s Communism; and before that the tyranny of the murdering Nazis.

Poland remains strongest in my memory of the four areas visited. Warsaw is a complete surprise. Rulers down the centuries built so many Palaces set in beautiful large parks making today’s Warsaw the greenest city in Europe. And my discovering the post WW II reconstructed Old Market square on the first day makes for a great start to the trip. Liver dumpling soup and roast duck are also a first day Polish treat.

Having a red Ford Transit van and a 19-years old student turn up as our mode of transportation from Warsaw southwards to Częstochowa and Krakow is first for concern but soon becomes amusement as Edmundo and I roll around on straight bench seats making room for our feet in whatever was stuffed in under the seat in front; and choosing to ignore the making of broken backs. Our guide at the Monastery in Częstochowa, a bubbly Dominican nun turns what was planned as a devotional visit to see the Black Madonna into compelling lesson of the past 1,000 years of Polish history.