POLAND

This past week, I had the opportunity to travel to Poland for work. As a result, my opportunity to see the sights was limited to the evenings. However, I was impressed by what I saw and what I ate while there. My job had me travel to three different locations: Warsaw, Poznan, and Szczecin. Below, I will briefly describe each area and what some of the key landmarks were. First, let me provide a quick historical overview of the significance of Poland today.

History of Poland

Poland has a rich history that has shaped Europe for centuries. For a brief period in the 1500s, Poland was Europe's largest and most powerful state; however, it fell prey to competing Empires such as the Prussian, Austria-Hungary, and Russia that carved out sections of Poland. The Polish Winged Hussar Knights were famous for saving Vienna and Europe from further Ottoman expansion in the 1600s. In WWII, both Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union, as part of the Molotov–Ribbentrop Pact, invaded Poland. During WWII, the Polish intellectuals and Jews suffered tremendously in numerous concentration camps, including Auschwitz. Despite their suffering, the Polish people contributed to the defeat of Nazi Germany, with the most important being their efforts to crack the Nazi Enigma code years before the British accomplished it. After WWII, the Soviet Union occupied Poland, and it became a fellow communist state. In the late 1980s, the Solidarity Movement led Poland away from the Soviet Union and contributed to the end of the Cold War in 1991.

Significance of Poland

In 1999, Poland joined NATO, contributed forces to NATO's mission in Afghanistan, and served as a Coalition Member in Iraq. After the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Poland became one of Ukraine's most ardent supporters, providing military equipment and providing shelter for millions of Ukrainian refugees. Today, Poland's military budget is among the highest in the alliance. In the U.S., there is a significant Polish American community estimated to be around nine million, and the largest concentration is in Chicago. Additionally, while studying at Queen's University, I learned that there is a significant Polish community in Canada, too.

Warsaw

My team and I flew from Frankfurt, Germany, to Warsaw, Poland, which took about two hours. We landed on November 11th, Poland's Independence Day, and the streets of downtown Warsaw were expected to have thousands of people celebrating. Once we landed, we took the train from the airport to the Warszawa Centralna Rail Station. Then, we checked into the Hampton by Hilton Warsaw Centre City and planned our dinner. That evening, we walked past the Palace of Culture and Science, Soviet Dictator Joseph Stalin's gift to the Polish people. Dinner was at the Kameralna Restaurant. I enjoyed a Mule Beer (warm beer), chicken soup with duck and noodles, and Russian-style dumplings with cheese, potato, and onion (Polish Pierogi).

After dinner, the group walked toward the old town and came across the Zamoyski Palace, the Church of the Holy Cross, and the Presidential Palace. We continued to the Royal Castle of Warsaw, where you can see the Vistula River.

The second night, the group ate at the Radio Café, where I had Silesian-style sausage with potato.

Poznan

The following day, we took the train from Warszawa Centralna Rail Station to Poznan, Poland. Poznan is an impressive city that has five universities and over 100,000 students. We checked into the NH Hotel located near the old town. That night, I wandered alone and came across the Mykonos Greek Restaurant. For dinner, I enjoyed a Feta Cheesecake with tomatoes, garlic, and peppers; Chicken Souvlaki with pita bread, fries, and tzatziki sauce; and Baklava for dessert. The dinner was absolutely delicious.

After dinner, I walked toward the old part of the city where the city hall was located in Plac Kolegiacki. When you get to the old town center, you will come across the famous city hall with its ornate tower.

The following mid-afternoon, my team and I departed by train from Poznan and headed to Szczecin.

Szczecin

That evening, my team arrived in Szczecin next to the Oder River and checked into the Courtyard Szczecin by Marriott. My team gathered and walked to the Wyszak Brewery. I enjoyed a steak dinner with mashed potatoes and washed it down with the local Amber Beer. The brewery's interior was awe-inspiring, making it a comfortable setting for everyone to enjoy their food and drinks.

After morning work-related meetings, my team and I flew from Szczecin to Warsaw and then back to Frankfurt, Germany. I enjoyed my time in Poland and wish to return someday to see more of the country, including Krakow. I hope you enjoy this summary of my trip to Poland.