Thursday, April 21st 2016

We "Get" This Place

Three nights in Gdansk - longer than most. Like the apartment. Our car is safe underground, we're within a blocks of everything and in a real neighborhood. Yes, we like it here.

Went to the covered market this morning. Needed a good bakery, meat market for sandwiches and cheese.

Our next two days are going to be rural so we'll need to make lunch.  Can't count on finding restaurants.

Found what we needed by going to the meat counter with the longest line.

Sandy bought what looked like a "Slim Jim" but it was 18 inches long and cost 40 cents. Smoked and outstanding, he stood in line a second time to buy more.









Didn't mind strolling down Dluga street again to admire architecture, getting a coffee/hot chocolate at an outdoor cafe and "finding" things we'd missed.

Later in the afternoon we returned for a piwo (beer).

Took the car and went to a shopping mall about 5kms away - urban not suburban.  Same brands as a mall in Chicago and more.

Food court had a lot of fish but McDonalds and Burger King also present.

Sandy's jacket requirements haven't been met by US manufacturers and several European brands were available at Galeria Baltycka






JackWolfskin (German) met the criteria. Sandy's in possession of a memento from Poland via Germany.

Until Gdansk, we saw Polish and German as dominant (e.g. signage at museums). Russian is now  taking a dominant position. We'll likely see more as we head east.

Our next stop was supposed to be Warsaw but couldn't get a place over the weekend so had to delay and will go to Olsztyn tomorrow. Pretty excited about the change. Didn't spend time researching this region but now realize it's a grand opportunity.


Dinner at a restaurant recommended by Eric Lickiss tonight. Last night went to a little place around the corner.

Starter of scallops and shrimp in a light Asian sauce with ginger chutney, miniature broccoli florets and greens. Amazing combination ($10).

My dinner - Duck leg confit with smoked duck bacon, small potatoes, bib lettuce and candied walnuts - amazing ($10.75).

Ordered dessert, the waiter gave us a present of homemade limoncello after determining we weren't driving. I gave him a hug upon leaving, couldn't help myself.