My Adventures in Warsaw, Part II

June 25, 2008

Our second day in Warsaw was also a very pleasant one. We took a walking tour of the Old Town and strolled through all the outdoor markets. We discovered fabulous things and found much new inspiration. Come and see what we saw and did in Warsaw!

These boxes of pretty blue lobelia caught my eye.

I love taking photos of architecture and details for my 'visual' library. This swag was beautifully fashioned in stone.

One of Warsaw's many beautiful churches - so much of Warsaw was destroyed in WWII and had to be completely rebuilt. It is an amazing accomplishment.

A spectacular brass knob

This is one of many gorgeous chains we saw - hand forged from iron or brass.

Many building facades are painted to look like cut stone - faux stone, I call it!

Another Escher-like design

Of course I was always thinking of Polish cuisine and I saw many restaurants I would have liked to try.

window sign

another window sign

I really wanted to try these dishes.

One of the great squares where Poles gather for a drink, a cafe, a smoke.

A self explanatory sign - We started our tour at 8 AM so many of the buildings and restaurants were not yet open.

The Mermaid of Warsaw - a fantastic fountain.

Water gushes every few minutes from underneath the statue.

Agnes Hansdorfer - our guide - and me - Agnes was born in Warsaw and now works in the corporate communications dept. at MSLO. We took her along for her translating skills.

Agnes said this was a great place to eat local food.

I collect intricately painted Easter eggs - These were extraordinary.

An old-time pharmacy - it was so elegant.

Amber beads were for sale everywhere - these were pretty special and so big!

The ribbed ceiling of a neo-Gothic church.

The buildings are so well-designed and wonderfully painted

Magda Gessler is a well-known restauranteur in Warsaw.

There are large portraits of the late Pope everywhere.

The important library in the old town

There is much restoration going on - the great town squares are being repaved with granite blocks, expertly laid by talented stone masons who work in great teams.