You might be thinking to yourself, “Rich…why would you possibly be interested in going to Warsaw for the weekend? I mean, what the heck do they have there that’s even worth visiting?” Well, let me start off by saying that my reasoning for traveling to Warsaw was based on two factors. 1.) I had just completed an exausting workweek and still had some work I needed to get done over the weekend. 2.) I still had the itch to go somewhere over the weekend but didn’t want it to be a major hotspot that would take too much out of me. So I pulled up my trusty map of Europe and Poland was the first country that jumped out at me. That’s all there was to it. No plan and nothing specific I wanted to see. The only thing that crossed my mind was that it was a new country I had not yet explored. So off I went.
The following photos are from the weekend of September 12th, 2008:
Łazienki Park: Frédéric Chopin Monument – He is widely regarded as the greatest Polish composer, and ranks as one of music’s greatest tone poets. There was something about this monument I really loved. It’s Chopin under a stylized Willow Tree. The tour guide mentioned the tree was to also resemble a pianist’s hand and fingers
Łazienki Park: Palace on the water
Jewish Ghetto: Monument to the Ghetto heros – Even though it’s already been over 60 years since the atrocities that took place in Poland by the hand of the Nazi’s, you can still feel that pain in the air when you step into this memorial. The tourguide and several people in the tourgroup seemed to get emotional rehashing painful memories of the past.
Old Town Square – Great energy there even though it was freezing cold.
Warsaw Barricades
Ah, that’s right…I made a friend on my journey. This is my bud Dave from Colorado who I met on the tour. Great guy and very pleasant company. He’s a scientist / adjunct professor who specializes in renewable energy and about a thousand other things. I kid you not. He’s had over 370 publications over the span of his career. Very impressive gentlemen. We immediately hit it off and decided to dine together at a local restaurant known for its Pierogi’s. Goodtimes…
After a nice dinner, Dave and I decided to explore a local Ice Bar. Random, I know. An ostensibly quick journey ultimately required tremendous fortitude to even find the place. Just as we began to doubt the very existence of the “Ice Club”, there she was in all her glory. Anyway…It’s basically a large meat locker with ice sculptures and all the vodka you can drink. Very unique and fun experience. They even give you some nifty threads to make your experience a more comfortable one. See the next picture as Dave and I throw one back 
Presidential Palace
Tomb of the Unknown Solider – Yeah, DC is not the only place with such a dedication to fallen soldiers.
Check out the full photogallery for all the pictures taken while in Warsaw. Just click the slideshow.