Zenon took us to the airport and we were the first ones in line at LOT. Everything went really fast with what we had to do, screening, etc. Our plane was to leave at 12:30 p.m. and the roads were so empty we made it to LOT fast and after all the inspections and passports and things that had to be done we found ourselves three hours early so we sat and waited and enjoyed the scenery and all the people going to different countries.
We drove back to the Holiday Inn in Warsaw, had laundry service and rested. Zenon did not stay with us when we were at the Holiday Inn. He lives on the outskirts of Warsaw so he went home to his family.
We tried to see the Syrena (mermaid) statue but the section was under reconstruction. We did manage to see the statue from a distance protected by the remodelers. Then we went to the Science and Cultural Building (Palace). We took the elevator to the top floor and boy was it windy! We took a few pictures, as did Zenon. Windy, but well worth the view. Zenon also drove us around the small villages outside of Warsaw. We finally found the St. Jude Medals. Steve and I had dinner at the Holiday Inn and enjoyed eating something besides cheese.
The National Stadium in Warsaw
Left for Warsaw in the morning, stopping only for water and gas. We all had dinner at the Holiday Inn where we spent the night again. I had to wash some laundry by hand.
We headed straight for TORUN and took many photos, saw the Copernicus house and his statue, bought a small snow globe of said person, found some very delicious gingerbread, and also what I thought was another fabulous church turned out to be the city hall in the middle of the square.
We drove to TARNOW and visited the Gypsy (cygani) Museum. Then we drove to ZALIPIE. This village is noted for its famous painted buildings; houses, churches, dog houses, wheelbarrows, barns and so on. If you are anywhere near this village, you must see it.
Zenon stayed at the Rancho Palomino with us. Here, again, breakfast was not included in the price of the rooms.
We met with the family of Stanislaw Dulian, my cousin. Stanislaw’s mother was at home and when she heard that we finally made it, she was so happy to meet us that she gave me a very big hug and started to cry. She was very glad to meet someone from the U.S.A Stanislaw’s mother is a vibrant woman for 91 years of age. Stanislaw’s wife made soup, turkey, pureed pickled beets, potato, carrots, etc.
Stanisław and his mother Stanisława
My son, Steve and I left our house at approximately 9:15 a.m. and arrived at the Charlotte N.C. airport at 9:50 a.m. We checked our baggage straight through to Warsaw. Our flight took us to JFK airport in New York City where we would change to a LOT plane.
The flight to New York was okay, 1 1/2 hrs. At JFK we were taken to the International Terminal by Airport Van Transportation Service.
Upon our arrival at the international terminal there was no one to help with carry-on baggage and the walk to the LOT ticket counter was hard. When we arrived at the ticket counter the line was already very long (winding around posts, similar to waiting in line to buy a ticket to a sports game).
Finally got our boarding passes and went to the proper gate (this time with help & wheel chairs) made it with about 1/2 hr. to boarding. Plane was delayed for takeoff due to the weather, rain & lightning; it was a 2 1/2-3 hour delay. Once in the air, there was so much turbulence we felt like we were on a roller coaster (up-down/side to side).
