Home » Poland » The wolves’ motorway; water in the wrong place, and town planning.

Today we got drenched as went along the main shopping street, Lipowa. Within about 10 minutes the downpour had soaked us to the skin, and we abandoned our search for music shops in Białystok. The music scene is pretty good in Poland incidentally. I came back with plenty of CDs to keep me occupied. Just don’t expect a vast range of CDs on offer in the shops, it is likely that if you want a particular album, you may have to order it. We got my CDs within two days, which was pretty good: the owner knew many of the national record producers.

The wolves’ motorway; water in the wrong place, and town planning.

Dorian Speakman
2006-08-26 13:07:05

Displayed times (last time: )

26 May Białystok

Today we got drenched as went along the main shopping street, Lipowa. Within about 10 minutes the downpour had soaked us to the skin, and we abandoned our search for music shops in Białystok. The music scene is pretty good in Poland incidentally. I came back with plenty of CDs to keep me occupied. Just don’t expect a vast range of CDs on offer in the shops, it is likely that if you want a particular album, you may have to order it. We got my CDs within two days, which was pretty good: the owner knew many of the national record producers.

With our jeans now demonstrating their ample water absorbing qualities, we tried to negotiate Lipowa, which was flooded. With drainpipes from buildings emptying onto the pavement, and only a few gutters, the cobbled street of Lipowa soon had a certain level of immersion. Our progress was not easy: cars routinely occupy most of the pavement, and the pavement was being re-laid stone by stone by hand, for presumably more car parking. Suddenly, our way forward was blocked; the pavement was stripped to the (wet) sand, and cars were not letting us cross Little lake, at what might be called Swinford in England.the road. Crossing the road again twice, we finally caught a bus, which was promptly stalled in a traffic jam. This is because of the inspired decision of Białystok City Council to divert buses away from the main shopping street, and increase the flow of traffic down the main cobbled shopping street of Lipowa. Apparently an attempt to pedestrianise Lipowa, so that cafes could have tables on the pavement, lasted only very briefly. The vociferous car drivers of Białystok had their way, and once again Lipowa is choked with traffic, despite there being a six lane parallel road very close by. Well done guys! A triumph of bigotry, idleness and selfishness over municipal improvement, better air quality and enhanced retailing potential.

27 May Knyszyn Forest: Krolowy Most ...