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Back in Poland then, though less of a tour and more of a family visit. Taking advantage of lower fares, we flew from Liverpool to Warsaw. The flight is 2.5 hours, and it is a jolt when you arrive - suddenly everything is in Polish, the weather's warmer, and the street environment is very different to Britain. Cleaner, for a start.
Sun, Sand and….. Pines. The Knyszyn Forest
Dorian Speakman2006-08-26 13:10:26
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Poland May 2006
Warsaw
Back in Poland then, though less of a tour and more of a family visit. Taking advantage of lower fares, we flew from Liverpool to Warsaw. The flight is 2.5 hours, and it is a jolt when you arrive - suddenly everything is in Polish, the weather's warmer, and the street environment is very different to Britain. Cleaner, for a start.
Because our flight landed with only an hour before the evening Białystok train left, we decided to stay overnight at Radek's in Warsaw. We got the latest on Polish current affairs. The new government has finally formed after months of uncertainty. So there has been a big anti-corruption drive, which has led to many people being put in jail. Then there has been the appointment of a controversial figure as Minister of Education from the Catholic Family Party. This provoked a protest from many students, and so the Minister delcared that the protesters were all "gay"! He either has an astounding (and rather disturbing) insight into the private lives of all those protestors, or he should not be in office. There is also a big increase in policing and an
intention to put the death penalty to the popular vote, irrespective of the European Human Rights legislation.
So with a combative political background, Polish politics is set for a turbulent future. Wether the changes have the desired effect, is open to conjecture.
Next day we got the mid morning train to Białystok and enjoyed a peaceful compartment to ourselves for the run north east over the Mazovian plain.
Sokole to Michałowo
The Knyszyn Forest lies to the north and east of Białystok. One thing you notice about the area is how sandy it is. Like concrete hexagons on paved surfaces, sand is common in Poland, and it is amazing what grows on it. It is a bit trying for agriculture, but for trees, especially pines, it is just fine.
Home to wolves,
...
See photographs from:
Poland Gallery
