tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6104067274494549802.post2492036767387446102..comments2024-03-16T08:21:24.661-04:00Comments on My Traveling Joys: Expat Life: 2 Years Later in WarsawJoyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11920366609527181388noreply@blogger.comBlogger24125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6104067274494549802.post-55241949732556389182018-04-08T15:40:57.243-04:002018-04-08T15:40:57.243-04:00@Warsaw to be expat,
Honestly, I never ever saw c...@Warsaw to be expat, <br />Honestly, I never ever saw children playing in the streets in Warsaw. In a park, yes, or in the yard of their own home or in front of their flats. Also, Poles are quite protective of their children and often the grandmothers are the ones watching them all day or after school. Warsaw is a relatively safe place, but I'd be too concerned about the not-so-good drivers on the streets to ever let my child play in one. All the best in your move!Joyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11920366609527181388noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6104067274494549802.post-54435528931517682018-04-07T05:06:19.999-04:002018-04-07T05:06:19.999-04:00Hi
We think about moving to warsaw as a family for...Hi<br />We think about moving to warsaw as a family for a job and we wonder if the warsaw street are children-friendly. We have a 6 years old daughter so we Wonder if she can play in the street of a neighboorhood with little or no adult supervision? Warsaw expat to behttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10695003748533294547noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6104067274494549802.post-51511815310653831522017-06-19T06:58:42.815-04:002017-06-19T06:58:42.815-04:00Hi! I'm Polish currently living abroad. To be ...Hi! I'm Polish currently living abroad. To be honest I found your blog by an accident. But I got really curious what expats think about living in Poland. I have to say I totally agree with everything you said in here! I've already started to forget how life in Poland might be inconvenient. About the heath care system just forget about the insurance. Private doctors only. Everyone does it. That's a really sad truth... Hopy, despite all of those disadvantages, you enjoy living in Poland. Cheers!Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12937040318783485473noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6104067274494549802.post-30061395833176596042017-02-28T13:16:03.003-05:002017-02-28T13:16:03.003-05:00I have to say that Warsaw is a one of those places...I have to say that Warsaw is a one of those places in Poland, which is definitely worth to visit. At the same time, if we need medical care, we should go to the American Clinic. It is a part of Medicover Hospital in Warsaw. It offers a wide range of services, staff is multilingual, and more on the spot, each patient receives a personal tudor, who accompanied him throughout the treatment period, what makes recovery more rapidly.AnetaKahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10852054514189922741noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6104067274494549802.post-37573386886078106612015-06-09T06:47:06.454-04:002015-06-09T06:47:06.454-04:00Joy - thanks for the tip. I've actually had go...Joy - thanks for the tip. I've actually had good luck using the Google Translate app. Sharonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6104067274494549802.post-47798294649457329442015-06-04T13:29:26.614-04:002015-06-04T13:29:26.614-04:00@Sharon, Well, I'm glad I don't know any D...@Sharon, Well, I'm glad I don't know any Danes yet. Some Poles are more tolerant than others when you attempt to speak Polish. When I was recently in Lower Silesia, everyone was much friendlier and seemed to appreciate the fact that I was trying to speak Polish!<br /><br />I would bring a dictionary if you ever need to do with that at the apteka! :) However, the 24hour apteka on Jana Pawła near Kino Femina usually has someone on staff that speaks English. Joyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11920366609527181388noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6104067274494549802.post-88220839246995209062015-06-04T13:25:52.036-04:002015-06-04T13:25:52.036-04:00@Alie, agreed! But once you find a true group frie...@Alie, agreed! But once you find a true group friends, then it's much easier to avoid the mean girls!" :-)Joyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11920366609527181388noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6104067274494549802.post-22655688843388185162015-05-28T10:46:10.695-04:002015-05-28T10:46:10.695-04:00When we lived in Copenhagen, the Danes were brutal...When we lived in Copenhagen, the Danes were brutal when you tried to speak the language...to the point of sometimes laughing in your face. Poles seem very appreciative in comparison! We're only here for a few months, so my biggest problem is trying to buy sliced cheese at the deli - LOL! I smile and point and pantomime a lot and use my little handful of Polish words. So far so good. But I do have this niggling fear in the back of my mind that I will get a urinary tract infection during our stay and have to explain it by pointing and pantomiming!!Sharonhttp://sharonleebenton.wix.com/warsaw-2015noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6104067274494549802.post-48544911464870871872015-04-04T09:05:26.459-04:002015-04-04T09:05:26.459-04:00Oh yes, high school mean girls all over again! Thi...Oh yes, high school mean girls all over again! This is one of the things I hate about expat life, I just wish women would support other women instead of trying to tear each other down Urgh it's been a learning curve for sure.Alie Chttp://www.startingoverinstuttgart.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6104067274494549802.post-81259692220996680112015-04-03T02:45:10.285-04:002015-04-03T02:45:10.285-04:00@Heather, you are exactly right! Once I found &qu...@Heather, you are exactly right! Once I found "my people," I gave up trying to fit in with everyone else. I became much happier! I just don't understand how some women can be like that whether they are 30 or 50. Geeez!Joyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11920366609527181388noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6104067274494549802.post-39533965484613222042015-04-03T02:42:32.646-04:002015-04-03T02:42:32.646-04:00Hi Annie, yes, I loved Istanbul for its food, the ...Hi Annie, yes, I loved Istanbul for its food, the markets, the weather and its people. I met so many interesting people there!Joyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11920366609527181388noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6104067274494549802.post-34629125994342730742015-04-03T02:41:03.368-04:002015-04-03T02:41:03.368-04:00Hi Joyce, I'm sure some cities we never feel ...Hi Joyce, I'm sure some cities we never feel at home at or can adjust to either. My husband's family moved around a lot and his mother disliked Arizona. Thank goodness Pennsylvania makes you happy now! :)Joyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11920366609527181388noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6104067274494549802.post-74134354809938819692015-04-03T02:38:15.614-04:002015-04-03T02:38:15.614-04:00Hi Andrea, I liked your post about Warsaw and thos...Hi Andrea, I liked your post about Warsaw and those are the reasons I like it too, but these are the things that drive me crazy as well.<br /><br />Yes, expat life has certainly taught me to be flexible and adaptable. You have to be or else!Joyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11920366609527181388noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6104067274494549802.post-62728490084864531812015-04-03T02:35:52.722-04:002015-04-03T02:35:52.722-04:00Hi Ana, You're right! I think the whole attitu...Hi Ana, You're right! I think the whole attitude problem does relate to the Communist years as well as the fact Poland has endured a lot from the wars and its entire history, really. I try to cut people some slack, knowing the hardships they have gone through, but the cutting in line thing is just plain rude. Now, I know to stand my ground and fight back. 😊Joyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11920366609527181388noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6104067274494549802.post-41968138054749817572015-04-03T02:32:52.781-04:002015-04-03T02:32:52.781-04:00Hi Monica, I don't know how Polish people dea...Hi Monica, I don't know how Polish people deal with the health care system. I've called Luxmed before to get into an endocrinologist and sometimes the wait time is 1 to 6 months. If I have a thyroid problem and need medicine, I can't wait that long! So Luckily, we can afford to go to a private clinic and pay out of pocket for this. I finally found a private doctor that speaks English well AND is nice!Joyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11920366609527181388noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6104067274494549802.post-13366632149855468682015-04-03T02:29:18.731-04:002015-04-03T02:29:18.731-04:00Yeah, the whole power outage is pretty crazy! I...Yeah, the whole power outage is pretty crazy! I've read a lot of conspiracy theories about it now. Overall, I'm happy in Warsaw now, but I think I'll always have some days where something will drive me batty! ;-)Joyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11920366609527181388noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6104067274494549802.post-70844159768918134252015-04-02T11:27:10.816-04:002015-04-02T11:27:10.816-04:00Wow, some of this stuff sounds more like China tha...Wow, some of this stuff sounds more like China than Europe. It used to drive me batty when the old ladies would cut in line! The expat crowd in Shanghai was also very cliquey and super frustrating. Once I gave up on trying to fit it I was SO much happier, and ended up making some pretty awesome friends. Thankfully the crowd in Riga is way better.Heather | Ferreting Out the Funhttp://www.ferretingoutthefun.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6104067274494549802.post-75522459779929355952015-04-02T07:12:44.183-04:002015-04-02T07:12:44.183-04:00Fascinating post - I think it proves to me that I ...Fascinating post - I think it proves to me that I live in a country for its people rather than infrastructure or cost of living. BacktoBodrumhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07627125508442009313noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6104067274494549802.post-39746185954345193392015-04-01T16:58:51.190-04:002015-04-01T16:58:51.190-04:00i sat down in the vegetable isle one day and cried...i sat down in the vegetable isle one day and cried my eyes out. and that was in toronto!jaz@octoberfarmhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17249328159454897124noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6104067274494549802.post-81827260960461098602015-04-01T06:32:29.801-04:002015-04-01T06:32:29.801-04:00This gives a nice balance to my post yesterday whe...This gives a nice balance to my post yesterday where I gushed about Warsaw! <br /><br />Living as an expat is tough everywhere, especially when you move often and face the same challenges all over again. But it makes you stronger and more adaptable which is always a great thing. :)Andreahttp://www.rearviewmirror.tvnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6104067274494549802.post-32374265005217466192015-04-01T04:24:33.512-04:002015-04-01T04:24:33.512-04:00I can totally relate to this, it's like you...I can totally relate to this, it's like you're talking about Slovenia too. The ex-communist culture has influenced a lot, probably. But you are right, nothing is perfect anywhere! So as long as we are here let's enjoy it!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04071571682598614366noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6104067274494549802.post-89329497271598190262015-04-01T03:58:46.859-04:002015-04-01T03:58:46.859-04:00I have to agree with you about a couple of annoyin...I have to agree with you about a couple of annoying things about living in Warsaw. For me the worst ones are: The health system (specially I you have kids), the traffic (polish people are always in a hurry) and the stupid coin for the cart in the supermarket ( I forgot many times). But after all I have to admit that this city is safe, cheap, has a very good transportation. Only with time you learn how to deal with this inconvenient situations!! Monicanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6104067274494549802.post-8853303023117387272015-04-01T03:43:18.337-04:002015-04-01T03:43:18.337-04:00I enjoyed the read as usual ;-)
My comments from ...I enjoyed the read as usual ;-)<br /><br />My comments from almost two years (June will make 2 full years) of living in a Polish small town (Kolo).<br /><br />1. I can't comment on expat culture in Poland, as I live in a small town. The benefit of that is we are the only Americans, and there is only one other native speaker in town. My wife has started teaching English locally, and so is in high demand. My wife grew up as an expat in an expat-rich city in Thailand, so she identifies with your experiences. ;-)<br /><br />2. I had a really nice experience at Lux-Med in Poznan when I needed to get some shots before traveling to Africa. The level of English was very good. We also avoid going to the doctor/dentist/etc unless we have to though for the reasons you mentioned.<br /><br />3. What you say is true ;-) Because we live in a village, there is even less English comprehension locally, so I've taken to implementing a certain approach. (this is what works for me, it may not work in a big city!) 1) Smile, then say hi in English so they know you're foreign. 2) Explain in Polish that I don't speak Polish, and ask in basic words for what I want, or already have the Google Translate app open with the translation. 3) In the ensuing confusion, always be relaxed, compliment them if they do use some English, and smile a lot. <br /><br />4. What makes me laugh is the lack of pre-warning for construction! I think in 5-10 more years, traveling in the country will be completely revolutionized. I love using the new highways when they are opened, so looking forward to the end of the bulk of the construction projects as well. I'm lucky I'm right off the completed A2!<br /><br />5. I could also tell some stories. Like the time I decided to take the stairs in a 30 story building instead of try to navigate the 'line' for the one lift available. <br /><br />6. Yup, you're right again! Customer service can be laughable, and their requests for exact change I answer with, "I'm sorry, I don't understand Polish." I've found that finding a way to compliment and show appreciation for their work usually results in an improvement, and always leave a tip, which of course is not traditional here. Once I make a good connection with employees at some establishment, I always go to them from then on. They enjoy waiting on their 'foreigner' after they get to know me.<br /><br />7. I'm glad I'm not a vegan. I'd starve here because of all the veggies I've had to leave behind ;-)Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04545831349292654866noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6104067274494549802.post-36309798509587338022015-04-01T03:29:26.302-04:002015-04-01T03:29:26.302-04:00Like you said, nowhere is perfect and everywhere h...Like you said, nowhere is perfect and everywhere has its annoying aspects. No electricity all day, all over Turkey, yesterday was just a tad inconvenient when our life is spent online. ;)Juliahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17259736008093281882noreply@blogger.com