WROCLAW POLAND - "Tak, jedlismy Pierogi!" (translation: yes, we ate pierogi!)

In August we decided to brave a trip to visit our good friend Dorota in Poland, in spite of Corona-virus restrictions.

We were worried a bit about border crossings, driving from Austria, through the Czech Republic, and into Poland, but it went very smoothly. There were not even border guards. Dorota made all kinds of arrangements for us (places to stay, tour guides, visits with her friends, Polish history lessons). People are very friendly, and many of them speak English.

Most of the time we wandered through Wroclaw, where Dorota lives.

Wandered through the town hall. Fantastic old woodwork on display here!

Hard to tell but, yes, those are Pierogi (Polish dumplings) on the little plate at the top. We had potato pancakes three times, and each time they were different.

The first night Dorota got us tickets to the last showing of the famous Raclawice Panorama in Wroclaw. We made it more famous by being among the last visitors before it was closed to be remodeled. 

Not a lot of tourists here, especially during this "Corona time."

Parking here is very difficult, and the mass transit is exceptionally good, so we just left our car at the house and rode the buses and street cars. We did find this "transit gem" on display in the city hall.

All around town in Wroclaw they have little dwarf statues. Earlier during Solidarity people painted dwarfs on the walls as a symbol of resistance against communist oppression. But now they represent the joys of daily life. They are all over - representing all different occupations and free time activities.

We spent 12 days receiving valuable historical insight into Poland's history. Over the years Poland has been at the center of multiple east/west tug-a-wars. Now, after almost 30 years of effort and foreign investment, Poland is beginning to recover from decades of Communist oppression and neglect. About half of the buildings have been renovated, and the economy seems to be thriving. This old historical building used to house a university library, but sits abandoned after a new library building was built. Dorota told me I should buy it and use my construction experience to turn it into something great.

Wroclaw is a beautiful and fascinating city.

We took the elevator to the top of a modern skyscraper where you can get a view of the whole city. This is the view looking toward the old downtown.

Wroclaw has 5 rivers flowing through town, which makes for an interesting downtown.

One tour took us through the university library, with its beautiful painted ceilings and ornate stairways.

This pre-curser to the "Delta Center" the Centennial Hall was built during the German times. Built entirely of concrete, this arena-like hall can be used for meetings, concerts, or even sporting events. 

The hall is impressive, but the fountains to the side are even better. The waterworks are coordinated with music. This must be where the Las Vegas Bellagio got the idea.

This is the town hall in the Wroclaw town square. Wroclaw has a competition with Krakow as to who has the greatest town square. Although Krakow has a trumpeter in it's Church in the town square, we didn't get any photos.  I think that means Wroclaw wins!