What lies beneath...

To the naked eye the pictures below might just look like modern buildings. A large skyscraper and some office buildings next door... 

However, the blue tower(the building's name I promise) stands where the Great Synagogue of Warsaw (Wielka Synagoga w Warszawie) once stood before the SS blew up the Synagogue on May 16th, 1943. Standing next to the blue tower is the Jewish Institute of Warsaw and Museum.  It tells of the Synagogue that was once there and about people who once lived in this beautiful city.  Also, the museum talks about how people lived during WWII and what life was like in this area of Warsaw.  

If you see the glass awnings that is a tram and bus stop that I, along with 1000s others each day use.  We are across the street from these two buildings and often I wonder how many people think of what lies beneath these buildings or I also wonder how many people know that the largest Synagogue in Warsaw once stood there.  Anyway, thoughts for the day, most post to come in the future hopefully. 

Photos of the day # 42-47 / Zdjęcie dni # 42-47

So instead of make a different post for each day I missed last week here is last week all in one post :)

Monday-Poniadziałek.
So, I am not sure if you catch the same thing I did in this photo or not, but it says 20 years (20 lat) yet the first year on the list is 1995.  Nice to know I am not the only one bad at math :) Even I know that 20 years ago was 1991 i mean 92 or 93, anyway just not 1995 haha.

Tuesday-Wtorek 

Last week I finished a book that was written by a guy who survived WWII mainly because he was fluent in Yiddish, Polish, and German.  He would trick each group into thinking he was one of them.  Later in life this he battled with problems with who he was after the war.  He met his wife in a bomb shelter one night and it reminded me that there is remnants of a bomb shelter just a few blocks from my apartment.  Below you find the picture.  I could not imagine spending hours or days in this, but I know that people did.  It is also strange to think that this guy met his wife in one as well. 

Wednesday-środa

Below is a picture of one of the largest (not THE largest) monuments to the Ghetto uprising in Warsaw.  This monument is outside of where the new History of Polish Jews museum which will be open later this year.  It will be the largest Jewish Museum in Central Europe when it is completed.  

Thursday- Czwartek 

Not too far from the previous monument is another monument to the Uprising. It is a mound on top of where members of the Uprising would meet together to form plans to fight the Germans.  On top of the mound there is stone that tells more information about this group and their fates.  I am not so sure making a snowman on top of this mound is respectful or not? But, I took a picture of it.    I did not make the snowman by the way it was already there. 

Friday- Piątek

Below you will find a picture of the man whose birthday it was on Friday.  The picture was actually taken on Monday when we were playing tennis, but I post the the picture as the photo of the day for his birthday.

Saturday- Sobota

One important thing that happened last week is the current Pope announced he was stepping down because of his sickness.  Many of my friends commented on this to me and there were pictures on facebook of this Pope and the Polish pope that pasted away in 2005, John Paul II.  The photo read something along the lines of the fact that Germans work until retirement and Polish people work until death.  I had some interesting conversations with people about this and I bought a magazine that has an article on it too. I also took a photo last week of one of the many monuments to JP II in Warsaw.  The monument below actually does not mention the former Pope by name it is simply the date and time of his death.  It is on Avenue of John Paul II (a very busy street in Warsaw)

Anyway, I hope you enjoy the pictures and I hope this week I will be better about posting, but cannot make promises haha

Photo of the Day # 41 / Zdjęcie dnia # 41

One of my running friends Olga, in the middle of the picture, reserved a place for a group of us to sing Karaoke Saturday night.  Standing next to her is our new friend we met there and tried to convince running is not boring, Łukasz. We had about 20 people from our group at the place and we enjoyed singing karaoke in Polish, English, Russian, and there was even a French song or two.  I tried my hand at some of the Polish songs and it was fun.  I even had a guy that cheered for me each time I joined a group to sing.  It was quite funny.  

Photo of the Day # 40 / Zdjęcie dnia # 40

One of our local English tourist magazines did a feature on what they consider the best burger places in Warsaw.  Saturday after our English Conversations at a Culture House, a co-worker and I went to check out this place.  Even after eating there I am not sure what Slow Fast Food means, but it was definitely an interesting place and good burgers.  I wanted to take a picture of the sign at the door, but I don't think it would have come out cause it was small and dark.  But the sign said all in Polish "It is cold.  Close the doors, they are not automatic." I for some reason found this funny because the doors did not look automatic, but maybe people were not closing them :) Anyway, if you want a good burger in Warsaw here is one of the recommendations.  It is just before Saint Anne's Church in Old Town. 

Photo of the Day # 39 / Zdjęcie dnia # 39

So here is the same view from Tuesday (http://bmwages.blogspot.com/2013/02/photo-of-day-36-zdjecie-dnia-36.html) taken on Friday.  It is crazy how different just a couple of days makes.  I told people that we went a week without snow and then we got almost a week's worth of snow in one day.  I am thankful we are not getting as much as the NE USA, but we still have a good amount.  However, something about the white makes for peaceful pictures and peaceful attitudes :) 

Photo of the Day # 38 / Zdjęcie dnia # 38

And as promised earlier some of the snow from this evening...The snow has returned.  Here is some of the build up of snow on my balcony.  As cold as winter is there is something peaceful about snow :) 

Photo of the Day # 37 / Zdjęcie dnia # 37

I have been helping out with a Children's Program at a Elementary School this week in Praga (more in Monday's post).  Each day prizes are given to the best behaved or participant in each group.  Here are the children from Wednesday that were the best.  Today I was back at another Winter Break program in Otwock with some great children there, but tomorrow will be the last day of winter break and I will be back in the school in Praga. Will try to get a good picture or two from there.  

Photo of the Day # 36 / Zdjęcie dnia # 36

Here are two views from my balcony without the snow.  Snow was gone for about a week, but as you will see later it has now returned.  The first picture is the view I have of downtown and the second picture is the view of the National Stadium that I have.  It is lit up at night and it never fails when people visit they enjoy my views and ask if the stadium is lit up every night to which I say "Of course, I see it every night." :) 

Photo of the Day # 35 / Zdjęcie dnia # 35

This week I am helping out at a Children's Event at a Elementary School for children who are having their winter break.  I am helping out a group named "Kids Games" and their motto is "Więcej niż sport" which means in American English "More than Sports".  The goal of the week is to play games with children, but also tell them that life is more than sports and being successful in life.  It has been great so far.  Oh and the above picture is my weak arm that shows autographs from some of the children.  We went around the room signing each other's arms to show that each person is unique and special :) 

Photo of the Day # 34 / Zdjęcie dnia # 34

Sunday's Photo of the day...I learned a new word: Uszkodzona which I found out means damaged.  Winda is the elevator (or as the crazy British call it "lift").  So, yeah the other day the Elevator in my building was damaged.  I knew the word for not working, but did not know the word for damaged until I saw this.  It was fixed later in the day though so all is good now. 

Photo of the Day # 33 / Zdjęcie dnia # 33

A rather empty look at my favorite method of transportation in the city:  Szybka Kolej Miejska w Warszawie, SKM or the Fast Train in Warsaw.  Sadly you can not ride this everywhere you go or I would.  But, for the places I do ride it to it is the best in my opinion.  It has been only opened since 2005 and currently there are 4 lines (S1, S2, S3, and S9) and 46 stations.  I took this picture at a non-busy time, but normally they are quite crowded both day and night.  I think having good transportation in your city is definitely a help to have peace with where you are :) 

Photo of the Day # 32 / Zdjęcie dnia # 32

Our Friday group minus Megan and Michał. Photo of the Day taken by the famous Marciej aka Potbelly.  We met at my place this past week.  It was of course great :)  

Photo of the Day # 31 / Zdjęcie dnia # 31

For the last two days a co-worker and I have been playing games with children/youth at a program they have for the students while they are on there two week winter break from school.  Here I am in a picture with just a few of the students.  They have been a fun group and I hope to spend some more time with them next week as well. Lets call this spreading peace to all ages :) 

Photo of the Day # 30 / Zdjęcie dnia # 30

This picture is actually from Sunday. I saw this on the backside of the Castle in Oświęcim. I thought it was good symbolism...in the midst of snow and winter, there is still hope for open doors for peace :) Peace to all and remember that even in the winter of life Peace is what we should be seeking. 

Photo of the Day # 29 / Zdjęcie dnia # 29

So Tuesday's photo of the Day is actually a video.  It is a video of the snow falling outside my window.  The snow flakes were so big! 

Photo of the Day # 28 / Zdjęcie dnia # 28

The first three pictures are from the Castle in Oświęcim.  A girl I met at Muzeum Auschwitz lives in Oświęcim and she recommended me to go visit the Castle.  She also told me some history of the city.  Had she not been working, I would have asked for more information, but I did not what to bother her from her job. 

After going to Auschwitz I went to Kraków to visit two of my good friends there.  This is the next day, Monday January 28th, in front of the Wawel Castle in Kraków.

Photo of the Day # 27 / Zdjęcie dnia # 27

Pamiętamy is Polish for "we remember" 

זוכים also can me "we remember" which is this context, but it can also me call to know or a command to know something.  Saw this sign outside the Jewish Museum in Oświęcim (Muzeum żydowski w Oświęcimiu). 

This is a sign for the Jewish Museum and Education center in Oświęcim. 

Train station in Oświęcim.  It says Oświęcim Miasto Pokoju (Oświęcim City of Peace). Here is more info on  why Oświęcim jest Miasto Pokoju 

http://web.um.oswiecim.pl/oswiecim/?q=content/oswiecim-miasto-pokoju
'
One quote from the article is, "Today Oswiecim, a town of over 40,000 inhabitants, is the center of a number of peace initiatives, a meeting place for people of different nationalities, regardless of religion and belief, a place where new generations want to build a future without war and violence."


On International Holocaust Day January 27th, I went to a city named city of Peace.  A city where much sadness happened (Aushwitz and Birkenau Concentration/Death Camps).  Even though there was once sadness, there is hope for the now and future of Peace.

Photo of the Day # 26 / Zdjęcie dnia # 26

There is now a Starbucks in the district of Warsaw in which I live.  This is a strange thing because we don't have a Coffee Heaven.  So, in my district there is 1 Starbucks and 0 Coffee Heavens.  In Warsaw as a whole Coffee Heaven outnumbers Starbucks 4 to 1.  But, not in my district.  Still though we have many other coffee shops (kawiarnie) in my district that are more local and have better atmosphere :)  

Photo of the Day # 25/ Zdjęcie dnia # 25

Friday, 24th of January after Bible Study we played łyżki (spoons).  Normally we had the spoons laid out in normal fashion, but occasionally the artistic drummer in our group thought it would make the game more fun if the spoons were in a different formation like the one above.  

Photo of the Day # 24 / Zdjęcie dnia # 24

I have noticed on my walks home from my train stop near the National Stadium (Stadion Narodowy) that people enjoy driving around the parking lot of the national stadium and spin their cars in the snow.  So I took a picture of this and a video.  Looks like a foolish thing to do, but people find their peace and happiness in strange ways.  

Photo of the Day # 23 / Zdjęcie dnia # 23

 Picture of the day for Wednesday is a fire station or Straż Pożarna.  I am sure driving a fire truck with all this snow is not easy right (of course driving a fire truck is not easy in any situation).  I ask you to pray for the firemen that still continue to work to protect the people putting their lives in even more danger than normal by driving in this snowy weather.  Peace to them and their families. 

Photo of the Day # 22 / Zdjęcie dnia # 22

Żydowski Instytut Historyczny or ŻIH is the Jewish Historical Institute in Warsaw.  It is a research building as well as a museum for Jewish history in Warsaw.  It stands right next to the Blue Skyscraper (Błękitny Wieżowiec) which stands in the former location of the Great Synagogue in Warsaw (Wielka Synagoga w Warszawie).  The Great Synagogue was completed in 1878 and was the largest Jewish synagogue in Warsaw until 1943 when the Germans blew it up following the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising.  Sad history, but even among the sad reminders of the past we can find peace and joy in being alive today.      

Photo of the Day # 21 / Zdjęcie dnia # 21

Here is a photo of Maciej and me after playing tennis this Monday night.  We played doubles with two of his friends.  We are hoping to play again next Monday as well.  And, not we did not wear this to play tennis, but it was snowing and cold outside so we had to dress warmly upon leaving the indoor courts.  Next time we play I will try to get some more action shots. 

Photo of the Day # 20 / Zdjęcie dnia # 20

Sunday's photo of the day

I was walking from a bus stop home and saw that someone had drawn a smiley face in the snow.  How nice right? In the cold, dark, snowy, windy weather, a reminder to smile is a great way of spreading Joy and Peace.  Hope you are having a nice day where you are and hope you continue to check back for more pictures and information.  

Photo of the Day # 19 / Zdjęcie dnia # 19

Photo of the day from January 19th, which was Saturday....

After having two English conversation groups, I went with a friend to the Rondo that is the Place named for Woodrow Wilson, who was the 28th U.S. President.  He was a friend and activist of Polish pianist Ignacy Jan Paderewski. The Plac Wilsona (Square of Wilson) has a metro stop, two tram stops and many bus stops.  Also, a movie theater (Kino), many restaurants, and a park.  Neat place.  

Photo of the Day # 18 / Zdjęcie dnia # 18

So here is Friday, January 18th Picture of the day..got a little behind again and trying to catch up

Here I am riding the tram home after our Friday youth meeting...it was cold and late that is why I look the way I am.  It really was a good meeting promise...I just was can or tired and cold.  Anyway, here I am on the tram :) 

Photo of the Day #17 / Zdjęcie dnia # 17

The top picture is the outside of the main hall of the Warszawa Wschodnia (Warsaw's East Train Station).  And the bottom picture is the coolest looking Costa by Coffee Heaven.  It looks like a giant tent that folds out into a coffee shop. You buy coffee on the side where you see people walking by and then you walk up the stairs and you can sit and have coffee, tea, itd. What a peaceful haven in a train station :) 

Photo of the Day #16 / Zdjęcie dnia # 16

This is a sign for Aleja Stanów Zjednoczonych (Avenue of the States United or the United States).  This is why I normally say ,,Jestem z USA" or ,,Jestem z Alabamy" (I am from the USA or I am from Alabama) when people ask me where I am from.  Saying ,,Jestem z Stanów Zjednoczonych" is kind of difficult haha.  Anyway here is the sign for the United States Avenue which is actually a pretty big street in the district just south of me.  I have peace in Poland do you have peace where you are?

  

Photo of the Day #15 / Zdjęcie dnia # 15

Soldiers of the Polish First Army Park otherwise known as Praga Park is a park in my neighborhood. The park is located just before the Zoo and here is what it looks like in the snow.  Peace and blessings to you and yours! 

Photo of the Day #14 / Zdjęcie dnia # 14

Looks like a fun place to go sledding yeah? Look at this cool new sign for the Bródno too.

The snow is increasing as I type this and has been all night.  Even though it goes dark early in these winter days, the white snow shine in the darkness, just as peace shines in dark times. Peace to you and yours. 

Photo of the Day #13 / Zdjęcie dnia #13

PKP Powiśle w śniegu/ Train Platform before the Wisla river in the snow

Also, you get a view of the largest hotel of the largest hotel in Warsaw in the distance.  

Peace and Joy are better than money and happiness