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
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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 

Photo of the Day #12 / Zdjęcie dnia # 12

,,Kapeli Praskiej" The Praga Band

The first picture shows the list of songs this band plays if you send a sms to a certain number and put a certain number for your selection.  The next picture you can see the Band, then the next picture is their name which I have translated in the title and the last picture says love you Praga.  Praga is the large section of Warsaw on the right side of the river.  It is so big that it is split into actually two main districts, Praga North and Praga South.  Also, the Targówek district used to be one with Praga before Praga consolidated in and became part of Warsaw.  Anyway all this might not mean much to some of you, but I will say between the three districts there are around 400,000 people so it is a lot of people.  Anyway, today I wish you peace where ever you are and I hope you find your peace in God above.  

Photo of the Day #11 / Zdjęcie dnia # 11

In the US we call this fist pump, but I was told that the Polish people call this żółwik which is a word for turtle.  Is this supposed to look like a turtle? Or made your hand is in the shape of a turtle? Not sure...anyway this was the picture of the day for Friday and it is a peaceful thing regardless of what you call it yeah? 

Photo of the Day #10 / Zdjęcie dnia #10

Most Świętokrzyski (Bridge of the Holy Cross)

The first cable-stayed bridge (most wantowy) in Warsaw that connects the left side of the river Wisła to the right side.  It was completed in 2000, so it is a good bit older than the previous two photo items I posted.  Which photo of the bridge do you think is the best? Hope you are having joy and peace wherever you are.  Blessings 

Photo of the Day #9 / Zdjęcie dnia #9

Balon Orange nad Warszawą  (Orange Balloon over Warsaw)

This also arrived in Warsaw because of the Euro 2012 Cup, but is still continuing to take people up on helium balloon rides over Warsaw.  There is also a cafe next to it and according to the orange website the balloon Jest w pełni ekologiczny, zużywa niewiele więcej energii elektrycznej niż laptop 

(it is completely eco-friendly, it consumes a little more energy than a laptop).  

Photo of the Day # 8/ Zdjęcie dnia # 8

Stadion Narodowy (National Stadium) 

So, the last few days I have not posted a picture of the day so I have three in a row and each post will focus on three different things that have just recently (within the last few years) have become recognizable sights of Warsaw.  The first one is this stadium that was built for the EURO 2012 which was last summer.  Now, the National Football team continues to play games here as well as concerts here such as Coldplay, Madonna, and they even had an American football game here. 

Photo of the Day # 7/ Zdjęcie dnia # 7

This came in the mail today.  Never too late to put up a Christmas tree though right? Maybe I will call it my Winter Tree and leave it up all winter! I also got some nice Christmas gifts from my parents and grandmother (along with this tree too) It is nice to receive packages! Hope everyone is having a nice day and hope your days are filled with peace and hope. 

Photo of the Day # 6/ Zdjęcie dnia # 6

So yesterday I posted a picture of an older tram and here today is what the insider of a newer tram looks like.  Of course both pictures were taken on rainy days so the trams were a little wet and dirty, but here you get sort of a glimpse in to two of the different ways I travel in the city each day...more to come and again I hope you have peace and joy on this day that the Lord has made 

Photo of the Day # 5/ Zdjęcie dnia # 5

So today's picture is from one of the older trams in the city.  I have mentioned many times before that we have many forms of transportation and I hope this year to show pictures from each of the different ways to get around the city.  While old trams are not the fastest way to get around, they are not bad for riding in my opinion.  Hope you find peace today and count your many blessings. 

Photo of the Day # 4/ Zdjęcie dnia # 4

Ok so I thought why not another Christmas decoration picture? In case you can't tell this is a Christmas Tree ornament that you are able to walk through.  It is located near the main gate for the University of Warsaw and the start of New World Street (Ulica Nowy świat). So why do you think the city spends so much time and money decorating for the Holiday Seasons? Have you ever thought about that? Hope as this holiday season comes to a close, you continue to find peace and joy each day. 

Photo of the Day # 3/ Zdjęcie dnia # 3

I know I have already posted one tree, but I saw this one tonight and figured all Christmas decorations are probably going to be taken down this weekend so why not show another tree.  This tree is close to the Center of the City.  I also thought the inscription under this one was interesting, "Merry Christmas and Happy New Year a wish from Polish foresters."  How nice of the foresters to wish the city Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! After walking by this tree, I walked through the area that was the Fan Zone for Euro 2012 last summer and it got me thinking how quickly things change.  Now there is not much in where the main part of the fan zone was (where I was with over 100,000 people to watch the Poland/Czech football match), but around on the side of what used to be the fan zone there is a ice skating rink set up just for winter time.  Anyway, just some thoughts.  Hope your day has gone well and has been full of peace and joy. 

Photo of the Day # 2/ Zdjęcie dnia # 2

So this wonderful rainbow colored building is an Urząd skarbowy or similar to a US IRS building :) Also if you look in the distance you can see an older building across the street.  On the street this picture was taken there are many places in which you have a modern building next to an older building.  

Photo of the Day # 1/ Zdjęcie dnia # 1

Ok so I realize this is actually 2 pictures, but the 2nd picture shows what is written under the tree in the first picture.  This picture was taken in the Old Town Warsaw (Stare Miasto Warszawa) the Mermaid is the protector and one of the main symbols of the city.  Under the tree it says in Polish Merry Christmas and Happy New Year 2013.  Then of course you have English Merry Christmas, then French Merry Christmas and then German Merry Christmas.

One of my goals for this year is to post a picture of the day each day on my blog and have a small description...enjoy!