The fuzzy silhouette within the long rod of amber seemed familiar, yet I wasn’t quite sure what I was seeing. I turned my head sideways and squinted to better focus. With a start, I realized I was looking at the complete body of a lizard that had been trapped in amber. The specimen…
Tag: Poland
The Heart of Chopin Still Beats in Warsaw, Poland
Katarzyna Kraszewska sat ramrod straight in front of the black lacquered Steinway & Sons grand piano. She contemplated the keyboard for a moment before striking the first commanding chord of a piece written by Frédéric Chopin. For the next hour I was mesmerized, fascinated that so much of the music was familiar to…
PHOTO: Warsaw Old Town Market Place, Pride of Poland
Click on title to view photo in large format. Warsaw Old Town Market Place is the main square in the historic center of the Polish capital. In retribution for the Warsaw Uprising of 1944, the square was blown up by the Nazi’s during World War Two. After the war, the square was rebuilt,…
PHOTO: Historic Castle Square in Warsaw Poland
Click on title to view photo in large format. Historic Castle Square in Warsaw, Poland is the entrance to the city’s Old Town (Stare Miasto). Between 85% and 90% of the city of Warsaw was destroyed during World War Two following the failed Warsaw Uprising, which infuriated Hitler. The castle at right and…
After Visiting Auschwitz Concentration Camp, I Am Very, Very Afraid
During World War Two, the mass murder of millions of Jews, gypsies, Poles, homosexuals, mentally disabled, physically handicapped, and communists was the result of simple, vile ideas that were espoused by one hate-filled man. Hitler did not grow up hating Jews. As a young man he was a German Nationalist, however at that…
PHOTO: Wawel Cathedral in Krakow, Poland
Click on title to view the photo in large format. There’s a good reason that locals call the church atop Wawel Hill simply Wawel Cathedral. It’s complete name is the Royal Archcathedral Basilica of Saints Stanislaus and Wenceslaus, a considerable mouthful for casual conversation. However, the shortened name in no way diminishes its…
