One long winter night we came interesting thought "Why is what we have not been in Poland?". It is near, flies Wizzair. And people say that there was not a real Europe. Why not go and did not personally verify, and then sorts India were, and neighbors — did not bother to visit. It turned out that our neighbors do not like a gentle, but also gladly stamp Schengen multivisa.
Resolved — done. Flights to Katowice packed our countrymen who go "obkatat cartoon", then without the hassle of travel "more advanced of the European countries." Only two hours in the company of fellow sounds of their native language and homemade food smells (because who among normal Ukrainian Snickers buy for 4 euros on the plane) and we are in Poland. Passport control took quite sluggish, Polish border guards even invited us for an interview. This plus another three hours to the road. Reassuring myself thinking about a window to Europe, we moved to Poland, but the mood was not so.
On the way to the hostel photographed one of the stadiums for Euro 2012:
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Morning mood somewhat cheered and we pochymchykuvaly explore the local neighborhood. That's the architecture in Katowice.
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Despite significant progress in the economy, local mentality is changing at a much slower rate. For example, a car can easily park on the sidewalk, especially if it does not impede the columns. From city center diverge such narrow lanes.
7We liked the tram. The Poles, with special trepidation refer to this type of transport. Rolling stock rapidly updated.
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On the bus the same situation. It seems that Poles have realized that well-groomed and elegant public transport — one of the fundamental principles of cultural state.
10We have been in several Polish cities and responsibly can say that transportation updated everywhere. Unless there are differences in colors. Poznan, eg:
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Another old model. Restored. By the way, all drivers in the form. Pay attention to the first image of the tram.
13For two weeks in Poland, we became real tramspotteramy, we nazbyralasya bunch of photos from tramways. Nothing could do with them — they seemed to us very cool. This does not mean that there is nothing more interesting just happened.
14The modern low-floor tram in Warsaw marks Pesa. Subway just opened in Warsaw in 1995. By this time the tram was seduced attention not only people but also local authorities. In the 90's, when a new object passion became municipal subway, tram began to slowly decline. But times have changed and now love and money enough for both types of transport.
15But ordinary citizens is fun is not cheap. In Katowice travel costs PLN 3.20 (90 cents) for one area or 15 minutes away, 3.80 — 30 minutes and two zones 4.80 — three zones and even ride all day.
In no tram conductors, but better punch a ticket immediately after planting. Controllers walk here regularly and be very suspicious if Punch a ticket immediately before the test. And all because not only punches punching holes, but also points out the route and time.
Stop. A little ran forward, we are still not bought tickets. This can be done at newsstands, post offices and special machines. If anything like this in your way is not met, you can buy a ticket from the driver. This is possible in theory, but in practice you come across a number of problems. Tickets will cost more at the driver. The driver is not obliged to sell you tickets, and does it with kindness. If the driver behind schedule, the chances that you will continue to remain bored at the bus stop. If you do not have the exact amount of the ticket, the driver will give you rest, but also did not take the money. In general, better stock up tickets in advance without complicating your life.
View of Warsaw trams above:
16But the older brothers tram — trains, we are not very impressed. In them we had to put it mildly, not the most comfortable night, which is not back!
17It looks like a train train similar to ours. And inside… pain and disappointment. There's no beds, just horrible chairs, which have handles and lift vmoschuvatysya like a cat. It's nothing if it were speed trains, two hours — and God knows where you are. But torture continue all night. Guides and tea in the usual aluminum holder either. Guides generally only 1-2 people the entire train. By law, meanness you get to know them only after a more or less comfortable zahnizdytes on the couch and start to fall asleep. Here they appear and to check your tickets. Also check for one night they usually lack. We were awakened twice. So do not repeat our mistakes — better go by bus, there though check tickets only once.
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As for the roads, as another integral part of the cultural country, in Poland every year they are becoming better. Bad (by local standards) — that are — occur except in small towns:
21As you know, public transport is cheap. With private transport of Poles is not very — mostly old small car in Germany, because bicycles slowly gaining more and more popularity. Some enthusiasts even in winter not come down with a favorite two-wheeled horse.
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Elemental trade until overcome. Police chase, but elemental trade eternal. Securely not say that we are far from the European Union.
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Features the Polish exchange — the currency in banks do not change, well, or there are some other banks. Currency change only in special kiosks. Very often, they write "0% commission". And this is the real truth — the Commission of you really will not, but the course is made to set either, so be prepared to lose up to 30% in the exchange. It is best to check the rate of the Internet and seek fair booth.
38Service in financial institutions at the highest level. The bank you're not just a customer, you — dear guest. If you feel tired, you can safely lie down to rest, and you no words to say.
39And if you want to learn how smells political correctness, then go to the nearest library or bookstore. Bezhatchynkiv no expels all around just pretend that he did not guess the choice of deodorant.
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It was found that is very much appreciated our beer "Obolon", which in Ukraine is not even always falls into the category "beer."
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