Dear Friends and Family,
From Wroclaw, we traveled by train to nearby Poznan. We stayed in the old town on the fourth floor, (80 steps up, no elevator), of a boutique hotel: Apartmenty Wodna 12, which we mistook on the internet for an apartment. The room and bed were small, but adequate. Still, there was no place to cook or wash clothes, unfortunately. We changed our stay here from 7 nights to 4, like our new friend from Zakopane, Rafal, recommended, and booked 3 nights in Rafal’s hometown of Lodz.
In Poznan, There are many restored older churches, a philharmonic hall, museums, and a beautiful restored opera house. We attended a great Paderewski concert at the philharmonic hall. At the opera house, we enjoyed a complete orchestra and cast performance of Fiddler on the Roof in Polish. Amazingly, the last minute second balcony tickets we purchased were good enough. Not understanding more than a few Polish words didn’t seem to matter either. We knew the “Fiddler”story and were thrilled with the singing and dancing. Both Tevya, the papa, and the Fiddler were terrific.
The Paderewski concert was even more enchanting. The Polish composer, Ignacy Jan Paderewski, inspired Poles to throw off the poke of Russian communism. His music is so strong and passionate! We were doubly delighted to hear a superb violinist, Augustin Hadelich, as the soloist. We had previously heard him perform at the Britt Festival in Oregon.
One day was a bit rainy, so we ducked into the National Museum of Poland. This art museum houses the only Monet in The country. We began on the fourth floor and browsed our way down through European, Polish, Medieval, Ancient, contemporary art and marble sculptures. It was a fun way to pass an afternoon.
Our walking tour introduction to Poznan began at noon. At that time, two miniature, mechanical billy-goats mark the noon hour by butting heads 12 times. As we watched, a chorus of school children counted out loud to twelve. According to legend, when the clock tower was completed in 1551, the king wanted a celebration. The cook in charge of feeding the nobility dropped the main course into the fire and ruined it. Fearing for his life, the cook sent servants out to kill the first animal they could catch. The servants chased two goats around and they ended up running up the stairs into the clock tower. The poor animals were so frightened, they began butting heads. The king thought the situation was so funny, he had the mayor add the goats to the clock mechanism. The king had the clock maker killed so no one could replicate the clock. No wonder the cook panicked! A trumpeter blows his horn from the tower just before noon to draw everyone’s attention to the battling goats. This ritual has been going on for nearly 500 years!
Our tour guide also told us that Poznanians are referred to as “pyry,” (potatoes), by other Poles because they eat so many potatoes.😜 We have certainly supported the potato market in Poland ourselves ! She also told us to try Poznan croissants. Bakers have to have a special license to bake and sell them. Of course we tried one. They are filled with a walnut-honey paste, and then topped with icing and more walnuts-decadent! We actually prefer the flaky French style croissants.
We took a long walk around man made Malta lake and explored the adjacent Malta lake mall. The lake is a very “happening “ place during the summer, but not too much going on there right now. We came upon a large church originally completed in the year 968, the oldest church in Poland. We really felt it was a spiritual place and each said a prayer to God while we were there. We feel fortunate that God has blessed our life together in so many wonderful ways.
We hope you are well. Thanks for sharing our travels !
Love, BnL
bnlmos 
80 steps up, my goodness! You’ll be running off all the desserts and croissants! I loved the Paderowski references, my piano teacher will be proud I remembered about him… I recall controversy over him playing in USA in 40s. His music forever outstanding. Billy goat stories were hilarious! Malts brought back memories of MacArthur and truce … imagine the 968 church!
Pictures wonderful as usual especially the fountain and red flowers and I loved the cormorant doing what he is supposed to do!
I love Poland too. Rita
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80 steps up, my goodness! You’ll be running off all the desserts and croissants! I loved the Paderowski references, my piano teacher will be proud I remembered about him… I recall controversy over him playing in USA in 40s. His music forever outstanding. Billy goat stories were hilarious! Malta brought back memories of MacArthur and truce … imagine the 968 church!
Pictures wonderful as usual especially the fountain and red flowers and I loved the cormorant doing what he is supposed to do!
I love Poland too. Rita
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Your messages and photos certainly should have a positive effect on Polish tourism!!
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