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Tumteetum · Joined: 04 Feb 2005 Posts: 144

Im in a town called Zabrze in Southern Poland which seems to have only 3 other foreign teachers - 3 guys married to Polish girls and who here for that reason rather than intrepid travelling adveturers like myself - so no really one to go out getting regularly pissed with.

After my first weekend here and Ive started talking to myself in my 9th floor Castlemilk style housing scheme flat (which IM paying 700 zl for which seems way too much - although I think I pay extra for the Swastikas and SS graffiti scrawled over the entrance and walls outside).

As for Polish/Zabre nightlife; I ventured out last night hoping to meet some locals but maybe I wasnt really in the mood ... I eventually went to get some nosh about 11pm only to find all restaurants closed (except mr hamburger) - so I went home and drank some Warka and talked some more to myself.

On a positive note - Polish women make the place a bit brighter.

So far Poland seems bleak and kinda boring (compared to Koreas crazy excited liveliness at least). Heres to my second week and if its dull as my first Im going back to Korea.

Lucky99 · Joined: 08 Dec 2004 Posts: 12

I too showed up at a school with only one other Native speaker in October. She was a very nice girl and we kept each other sane, but unfortunetally she was let go half way through the year. Now im trying to keep my sanity without her. Sad

i have managed to make a few friends, but most of the teachers i've met are not here to travel or to have fun. If you ever manage to show up to Wroclaw you have a free invitation to party. Its a nice city and the women are even nicer. Smile

And dont worry about talking to yourself, you're only crazy when you start to answer yourself.

Peace and good luck!

Ps. Get on the Zywiec train man, its a much better beer!

Brooks · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 1369 Location: Sagamihara

go to a city like Krakow when you get a chance.
Being stuck in the country is hard when you don`t know anybody, whether you are in Poland or Korea.

eo-nomine · Joined: 24 Nov 2004 Posts: 72 Location: Berlin, Germany

Lucky99 · Joined: 08 Dec 2004 Posts: 12

Yup, Wroclaw still has the ice rink. I was amazed actually to see it as i didnt think that ice skating was that popular in Poland. But every time i go by there people are seeming to enjoy themselves. Laughing

gregoryfromcali · Posted: Tue Mar 08, 2005 9:46 am Post subject:

Basically in Poland a city either has a lot going on or nothing going on. I recommend that you try to move to Cracow. I think Cracow is Europe's best kept secret.

On the other hand it is a hard place to learn Polish as a lot of people here who speak English. If I were in your shoes I would try to learn as much Polish as you can. As I have been here in Cracow for two years and I'm still struggling with the language. In some ways I wish I would have choosen a city where I had to know Polish in the beginning.

Good luck,

Gregory

XXX · Posted: Tue Mar 08, 2005 10:23 pm Post subject:

I'll second the motion that Krakow is the best kept secret in Europe! And it is only 8 zlts and two hours away from Zakopane!

dragulescu · Joined: 19 Nov 2004 Posts: 14 Location: N.Ireland

sorry to hear u are having a crap time there tumteetum, i am hoping to go and teach english in about a year from now in Poland, preferably in the south(my boyfriend is from tarnow, yes i know i have read the warnings to stay away from escs or whatever that joke of a school is there) i don't mind Tarnow, Krakow, would love to be in a town on the way to zakopane, i love mountains, and believe me there is something magical about the tatry mountains , zywiec or no zywiec, i prefer okocim actually Laughing

i say hang in there, try to get a cheaper flat, think it is too much, go to krakow(look for job while u are there!) and zakopane in your spare time. If you meet some nice Polish people(it is possible) they will be great friends, make the effort. Hope things work out, let us know!!!
Dobranoc.......