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Some Musings From My Time Out
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Author:  good dolphin [ Tue Jun 23, 2015 7:08 am ]
Post subject:  Some Musings From My Time Out
stopped at a street vendor in a market in Zakopane (small, fairly remote mountain town near the Polish-Slovakian border) because my wife liked on of their coats. The keeper is sitting there reading PolSport with the Blackhawks (jastrzab czarne or something like that...editor should be fired as it is a proper noun) on the cover. No fucks were given as, its hockey. My wife starts showing too much like for the coat in a move that is going to chop the knees off of my ability to haggle so the feeling out period isn't going well. The conversation eventually moves to "where are you from" in broken English. I was faced with the dilemma of lying to avoid a hockey conversation or telling the truth and possibly establishing some connection for negotiation. I told the truth. The guy said he lived in Chicago for seven years (surprising, given how poorly he spoke English). He ran to grab the paper and excitedly told me the Blackhawks were his team. I started breaking into a cold sweat over the prospect of being cornered into hockey talk. The guy was throwing out names and I figured I would engage with Hossa as I guess he would be a semi local hero. He seemed to appreciate the interest and knocked 50 pzl off the price (about $13).

Once again, hockey saves the day!
Author:  Hatchetman [ Tue Jun 23, 2015 7:27 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Some Musings From My Time Out
you can't escape that shit anywhere!
Author:  Curious Hair [ Tue Jun 23, 2015 7:29 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Some Musings From My Time Out
Only way this story could be better is if the man asked you in his broken English to sing along in a rousing chorus of "the Dagger of Chelsea."

EDIT: or said "what is it the problem with the Boers and Bernstein who are so most rude to their suitors?"
Author:  good dolphin [ Tue Jun 23, 2015 7:54 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Some Musings From My Time Out
Stood in line for lody with a guy wearing an NFL t shirt that said New York Patriots. I love these random incongruities you find clothing in Europe. Another guy had a Baseball World Bowl Championship t shirt...it makes you wonder the incorrect phrases on clothing you see on sports hipsters in the US who wear some foreign sport athletic gear.
Author:  good dolphin [ Tue Jun 23, 2015 10:01 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Some Musings From My Time Out
I walked all day, every day. Each night I came home exhausted but jet lagged to the point that I could not sleep until about midnight. You know it's a long night when you hear that I watched Georgia v. Poland in a world cup qualifier. That game should have been 5-0 in the first half with Lewandowski missing point blank shots at least three times. An even longer night was spent watching Germany v. Sweden in women's world cup. My wife told me both sides have some beautiful women playing for them. I told her I didn't notice.
Author:  Spaulding [ Tue Jun 23, 2015 12:31 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Some Musings From My Time Out
You'll talk soccer but not hockey?

Hope it was a good trip. Would like to hear more about it.
Author:  good dolphin [ Tue Jun 23, 2015 3:10 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Some Musings From My Time Out
I might be able to post a few pictures where the innocent have been removed to protect their identities. How would I post cell phone pictures to here?
Author:  good dolphin [ Tue Jun 23, 2015 3:45 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Some Musings From My Time Out
Spaulding wrote:
You'll talk soccer but not hockey?

Hope it was a good trip. Would like to hear more about it.


what would you like to know?

Day 1- flight from O'Hare is delayed. I traveled on five planes in four countries aviationally inferior to the US and the only plane that was late was United out of O'Hare. Thanks Daley. We flew from Chicago to Frankfurt. The flight was decent and the entertainment package on newer jets for long flights is really great these days. I had my choice of recent movies that I could start at any time. I also had four episodes of Curb Your Enthusiasm. Unfortunately, airplane food quality is no higher than it was decades prior. They should forget hot foods. Just give me a really good cold sandwich or salad with some good bread and that would be fine.

Day 2- landed in Frankfurt late, which almost set the whole schedule into a tailspin. We had to run from the flight to the next gate, which was finishing boarding when we arrived. If you have ever had to run to a gate after getting off a nine hour flight with young children, you have earned your spot in heaven.

We got there just in time to board a germanicly efficient Lufthansa to Vienna. It was only a one hour flight. Landed in Vienna. Had a good laugh with the kids that it is pronounced Ween. That one had me laughing 25 years ago and still cracks me up. I was happy to pass it down to the next generation. We were able to walk to our next gate, where we met my parents. They had previously been on a trip to Vienna and Salzburg and were meeting us for a few days in Krakow. The meeting picked up the kids' spirits.

We boarded an air Austria propeller plane to Krakow. It was one of those where you have to walk to the plane on the tarmac, which is always kind of different. Those prop planes are tiny. They shouldn't let the full figured stewardesses work them because of the narrow aisles and Air Austria's uniforms do not complement a wider woman. I always consider Austria to be Germany Lite or Germany's sibling who got all the love, however, I think Austria really has more in common with Eastern European neighbors than German. You could bunch the whole area of Munich, Austria, Czech Republic, Slovakia and southern Poland into a group with kindred spirits. They served some awesome nutella wafers on the flight, even though it was only an hour.

We arrived in Krakow midday. That airport is still stuck in the communist era. I guess it is befitting as it is more of a local airport and probably only the fourth busiest in the country. We got to the hotel with enough time to do some touring that I had scheduled. The best way to break the jet lag is to force yourself to stay up and exercise a little. I knew it would be rough for the kids so I scheduled something fun. We stayed near Wawel Castle so I had us go there to tour the Dragon's Lair. There is an old myth about a dragon living in the city and causing havoc. One of the many brilliant Poles decided to trick the dragon by putting casks of gunpowder in sheep's wool. The dragon ate it and blew up. The Dragon's Lair is an old cave under the castle. It was appropriately fun and scary. We then climbed the castle tower for a great view of the city. That was a well run first taste of Europe.

I was in charge of the Krakow planning part of the vacation so I put some real effort into it. I found what I thought to be an interesting dinner in an old brewery near the hotel. It was a few blocks which was long enough to get an on the ground feel for the city. My parents generally don't drink, which puts a damper on a brewery restaurant but this was family friendly and loud enough that we wouldn't cause a scene if someone got tired. I threw down a little Polish in ordering up beers for my wife and I. The food was plentiful, as you might expect in a beer hall. It wasn't that tasty but did the trick. They had a quartet playing Polish folk music. There was a group of Polish men sitting next to us sitting for a guys night out. They were a few sheets to the wind and enthusiastically joining in the songs. In another corner it was someone's birthday and a round of Stolat broke out...kind of a perfect evening.
Author:  Gloopan Kuratz [ Tue Jun 23, 2015 3:55 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Some Musings From My Time Out
Too long.

Can't wait to hear Frank's musings from his time out.
Author:  good dolphin [ Tue Jun 23, 2015 4:10 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Some Musings From My Time Out
Gloopan Kuratz wrote:
Too long.

Can't wait to hear Frank's musings from his time out.


That was only the first two days.

If I give you the short version, you don't get whimsy.
Author:  Gloopan Kuratz [ Tue Jun 23, 2015 4:17 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Some Musings From My Time Out
Travel anywhere is a nightmare for anyone. With small kids it must be extra brutal.
Author:  Chus [ Tue Jun 23, 2015 4:20 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Some Musings From My Time Out
good dolphin wrote:

Landed in Vienna. Had a good laugh with the kids that it is pronounced Ween.


Image
Author:  badrogue17 [ Tue Jun 23, 2015 4:22 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Some Musings From My Time Out
You were gone?
Author:  good dolphin [ Tue Jun 23, 2015 4:22 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Some Musings From My Time Out
Gloopan Kuratz wrote:
Travel anywhere is a nightmare for anyone. With small kids it must be extra brutal.


Those kids were about as perfect as could be. It was like they were in a week long angelic zone. There were little fights that broke out for which they were shown the liberality of Polish child endangerment laws but I could not have asked for more. This trip was really for them and they seemed to get it. I don't know how but they did.
Author:  Spaulding [ Tue Jun 23, 2015 5:25 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Some Musings From My Time Out
For future reference when I ask about a trip, I don't mean tell me mostly about the air travel, goof.
Author:  bigfan [ Tue Jun 23, 2015 5:29 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Some Musings From My Time Out
Spaulding wrote:
For future reference when I ask about a trip, I don't mean tell me mostly about the air travel, goof.


Talking about trips on here is showing off...or at least thats what someone used to say here!

FYI, Going to vegas tomorrow morning, will give full report!
Author:  good dolphin [ Tue Jun 23, 2015 5:31 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Some Musings From My Time Out
I was going to go day by day. A lot happened and I was trying to recall.

Should I bother with anything else or is everyone good with where we are at?
Author:  Hatchetman [ Tue Jun 23, 2015 5:44 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Some Musings From My Time Out
How would getting around be for someone who speaks zero Polish?
Author:  Chus [ Tue Jun 23, 2015 5:45 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Some Musings From My Time Out
Hatchetman wrote:
How would getting around be for someone who speaks zero Polish?


pivo = beer

that's all you really need.
Author:  Stretch [ Tue Jun 23, 2015 6:15 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Some Musings From My Time Out
good dolphin wrote:
I was going to go day by day. A lot happened and I was trying to recall.

Should I bother with anything else or is everyone good with where we are at?

Go for it.
Author:  Scorehead [ Tue Jun 23, 2015 6:21 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Some Musings From My Time Out
bigfan wrote:
Spaulding wrote:
For future reference when I ask about a trip, I don't mean tell me mostly about the air travel, goof.


Talking about trips on here is showing off...or at least thats what someone used to say here!

FYI, Going to vegas tomorrow morning, will give full report!


I thought Mrs. Scorehead and I went to Vegas alot, but you are there what, 4-5 times a year?
Author:  Spaulding [ Tue Jun 23, 2015 9:33 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Some Musings From My Time Out
bigfan wrote:
Talking about trips on here is showing off...or at least thats what someone used to say here!

FYI, Going to vegas tomorrow morning, will give full report!


Who used to say that?

Have fun. I went once, and don't think I'd really ever want to do it again. I wasn't right for a week when I got back.
Author:  Darkside [ Tue Jun 23, 2015 9:34 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Some Musings From My Time Out
Spaulding wrote:
Who used to say that?

.

Anyone reading a C Howitt Fealz post.
Author:  Spaulding [ Tue Jun 23, 2015 9:41 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Some Musings From My Time Out
I liked his stories, and I don't think he was bragging. It was way more interesting than listening to you prattle on about air conditioners.
Author:  Darkside [ Tue Jun 23, 2015 9:42 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Some Musings From My Time Out
Spaulding wrote:
I liked his stories, and I don't think he was bragging. It was way more interesting than listening to you prattle on about air conditioners.

Wait until I prattle on about pick up trucks and shotguns. You'll beg me to talk about air conditioners.
Author:  Dr. Kenneth Noisewater [ Tue Jun 23, 2015 9:59 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Some Musings From My Time Out
Prattle on about getting me some venison sausage with a truck and one of those guns when you get a chance.
Author:  Darkside [ Tue Jun 23, 2015 10:00 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Some Musings From My Time Out
Dr. Kenneth Noisewater wrote:
Prattle on about getting me some venison sausage with a truck and one of those guns when you get a chance.

Why not join me next fall and kill us a couple ourselves yeah?
Author:  Dr. Kenneth Noisewater [ Tue Jun 23, 2015 10:04 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Some Musings From My Time Out
Darkside wrote:
Dr. Kenneth Noisewater wrote:
Prattle on about getting me some venison sausage with a truck and one of those guns when you get a chance.

Why not join me next fall and kill us a couple ourselves yeah?


I'm a meat-eating pacifist that raised cattle for slaughter.

And I'm a bad shot.
Author:  Chus [ Tue Jun 23, 2015 10:25 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Some Musings From My Time Out
Dr. Kenneth Noisewater wrote:
Prattle on about getting me some venison sausage with a truck and one of those guns when you get a chance.

Image
Author:  Jaw Breaker [ Tue Jun 23, 2015 10:46 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Some Musings From My Time Out
GD, I like the stories....keep 'em coming.
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