walking down the streets in Warsaw

It has been a while since I left my country. 10 years already or maybe even more. Time runs so quickly and so many things have happened that it is easy to lose track. But I still remember how different ,compared to the present, my city was. It was more like one of those places which I perceived as pretty “grey” and depressing. I couldn’t find my space or appreciate it in any way. This reluctance gradually built up the craving to see something more . From day-to-day I was finally ready to take the biggest step in my life; to move abroad. And there are no regrets because life away from Poland gave me the most incredible experiences which always will stay with me. But today I wouldn’t like to write about them. Let’s skip this for a while…Today I would like to mention how my perceptions about Warsaw have changed over the last few years…years which I spent away…from a place where I was born, where I grew up and where I have the most important people…my family.

This awareness probably in part I owe to my husband’s merit, because he taught me to perceive things around me in a different light and take some distance. I never actually realised this until I met him. I remember the time when we started to hang out around Warsaw and how all these places started to bring new impressions. And now I feel this even more…

For the last few days (and probably you already know this if you follow me on Instagram) I have been in Warsaw. It wasn’t a long visit ,barely a few days, but I still managed to have a great catch up with my family. We weren’t so lucky with the weather as most of the days it rained a lot . But there was one day when the sun, with great diffidence, started to push the clouds away. It was so difficult to resist this moment and we came to the decision to take a walk through the streets of Warsaw.

We pointed ourselves in the direction of centrum; Marszalkowska, Chmielna and Nowy Swiat were streets we targeted. If you know a bit of Warsaw you will know that if a girls takes a trip to the city this is the best location for shopping. Yes, I will admit it here …we almost visited every shop on each of these streets. But let’s be clear on the fact that we didn’t buy something in every shop ( hopefully my husband will be happy with this statement).

Marszalkowska street

Palace of Culture and Science (Palac Kultury)

Any way when you are on Marszalkowska street you can see a massive building which is called the Palace of Culture and Science (Palac Kultury) the architecture of which never really attracted me. However many tourists (including my Daniel) really like it. This “monster building” was a gift from Soviet Union to the people from Poland ; it’s worth adding this as a bit of history never hurts. In this tower you can find a complex of different attractions from theatres, cinemas to swimming pools, bookstores, cultural exhibitions and many more…and when you get to the terrace on the 30th floor you will have chance to experience the incredible views of Warsaw!!! But remember just on the sunny days…

Chmielna street

On the Chmielna street most of the buildings there are under refurbishment at this moment, or demolished completely and probably to be  replaced with new buildings. That’s not how I remember this place!!!! you can find a few restaurants there , pubs, a cinema and as I mentioned before some shops as well…mainly local design shops. One of my favourite one is Cepelia shop which basically is a great place to hunt for anything related with ‘folk’. Worth a visit but as I learnt, unfortunately closed on Sundays. Shame!!!

Cepelia shop

some shops and restaurants on Chmielna street

The last but not least on our target was Nowy Swiat street . Wow that street looked so noble even on the day the sun was fighting with the clouds. I was really impressed and even for a moment I felt like a real tourist !!!! Can you believe it, in my own city?! Ok my perception changed over the last few years so maybe this should not be so surprising. Any way, the old buildings looked so impressive, especially as I wasn’t there since the massive renovations. And all the beautifully displayed flowers added simply more  charm.

Nowy Swiat street

Nowy Swiat one of the most beautiful streets in Warsaw

You can really find anything that you need there to enjoy a great time with the your friends and family. And that’s what we did….we decided to stop in one of those places ( Croque Madame) and enjoy a great cup of coffee (and lemonade for my niece) and have a “healthy’ dose of sugar (which involved different kinds of cakes).

Croque Madame

sweet moment in Croque Madame

There wasn’t any guilt…just pleasure to have a great time with great people. And of course… we took lots of snaps, to keep those memory forever and probably because after all those years away I started to feel and see this city in different light ,probably more like a regular tourist.

♥ jumper (Solo-http://livewithsolo.blogspot.com), scarf (Reserved), skirt (Japan),leather bag with bamboo handles (Gucci), shoes (H&M), tights (Reserved) ♥

see you in the next post xoxo
Follow my blog with Bloglovin