Getting ready for the Independence Day

I am travelling today to a new country that I have never visited so far. But obviously many interesting things happen in parallel. Unfortunately I cannot be in two places at a time but thanks to my friend Mike that you have met last winter I will be somehow able to show you a unique moment that you could have otherwise missed.

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11 November is officially the National Independence Day of Poland. This is the last day of World War I when Poland regained its independence after 123 years on non-existence. Each year on this day there is a huge celebration including parades and other military events. One of the major elements is the official changing of guards in front of the monument devoted to the Unknown Soldiers (I am sure that you remember that we have seen it already in January). Since this is such an important event, it is very difficult to see it well otherwise than in television. But Mike proved to be very smart and he came to the site two days earlier, when the troops were having their rehearsals. The bad side is that they were not wearing their dress uniforms but their combat dress. But you cannot have everything in life my friends. 

The ceremony starts when the Polish flag (in white and red) is drawn on the mast. 

In the back, you can see the monument itself.

In the center, in front of the monument, stands the orchestra. As any other military band it includes mainly wind and percussion instruments.

Now I will introduce you to the uniformed services participating in the celebration. We will start in the middle and first move right. You will see there the Commandment of the Garrison of Warsaw.

Then comes the Polish Navy. They are easier to recognise even in combat dress because their hats are black.

The Polish Air Force has greenish hats but they have a different shape.

Then comes the Polish Army, called also Land Force.

Last but not least - the Representative Battalion of the Polish Army.

The only type of Armed Forces that was missing here were of course the Polish Special Forces. I am sure that you have guessed yourself why.

Now let's get back to the military band and move to their left. First come the logistic forces, called Support Inspectorate.

Then, in red hats, comes the Military Gendarmerie. This is a type of internal police for the Armed Forces.

Next you can see the Border Service.

The next ones are easy to identify with these huge inscriptions on their backs - my friends thumbs up for the Police.

Then you can see the customs officers. For those who do not see a difference between the border services and the customs - the first ones are here to prevent people entering Poland without permission while the others are here to prevent goods entering Poland without permission (or without a fee).

And the last ones on the left side is the Prison Service.

One last shot to show you all the troops in rows.

My human secretary was complaining that all uniformed forces that were not military forces included women while there was no single women amoung the armed ones. She said she can understand it (a bit) with respect to the Representative Battalion but not for the others. Don't tell her (she also does the cooking so I do not want to upset her too much), but I believe such events are for men. And for horses of courses.

Many thanks Mike! I am really happy we could take part in this event despite my travelling.

Royal park of Łazienki (in autumn)

Almost two years ago I have shown you the Royal Park of Łazienki in Warsaw. It was winter so the park was pretty dark and sad. Today I will show you Łazienki again but this time in one of the nicest periods - autumn.

The park has a rectangular shape.

The lake and the palace in the back seem much nicer in sunlight.

The trees are of all colours.

The water is pretty cold already so the gondolas are sleeping gently next to the banks of the lake.

Squirrels try to hide in orange leaves.

The Palace on Water is undergoing a renovation.

Any ideas what these white things are?

The flowers still bloom ...

... though they are quite pale already.

Time to move them to the orangery now.

One new element of the park that was not there last time is the Chinese Avenue. It was originally designed in late eighteen century and renovated recently.

Those lanterns are really charming. They remind me of tea-houses in Taipei.

The original Chinese Avenue was designed by the last Polish king, Stanislas August Poniatowski. He is of course commemorated in the park.

In principle, I believe that the park misses a nice equestrian statue. Don't you think?

Let's pay a tribute to Chopin.

I think I already told you last time that I always have chills down my spine when I look at this monument.

Let's walk down again. Up the hill comes the Belweder palace. Everybody says "hello" to the Polish President.

And down the hill - do you see what I see?

Yes! It is the roe that we have seen already last time!

I must admit I was a bit surprised by the fact that there were so few people in Łazienki today. But I really enjoyed the fact I could walk calmly and admire the autumn in its full splendor.

Przemyśl and its hills

Today we will visit three different places in Przemyśl. They are not too close but they are all located on some hills.

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One of the most prominent historical monuments in Przemyśl is the Casimir Castle, that I have shown you already from the Cathedral Tower. You can go there with a car but you can also take a nice pedestrian path.

Here comes the main entrance.

The castle is located on a hill called (what a surprise) the Castle Hill. It rises 270 metres above the city so we can admire here a nice panorama of Przemyśl.

The castle itself is quite modest. But you need to remember that it was originally built in 1340.

In the courtyard you will surely notice some bricks.

When you take a step back you will notice that bricks form a round shape. These are the remainings of a rotunda that is dated to the first half of the eleventh century. Pretty old, isn't it?

This is probably the reason why there are some ghosts running here and then from time to time.

So mind your step and let's drive to our second hill.

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Kopiec Tatarski is believed to be originally a place where Slavic gods (in particular Swarożyc, the god of fire) were worshipped. It is around 10 meters high so it will not take us long to climb it up.

From the top, on one side we can see again the city.

 And on the other some fields surrounding Przemyśl.

The hill itself does not offer that much. I am sure that you have guessed that there are no remainings of the temple devoted to the Salvic gods. It was replaced over time with a Christian church that did not survive the second world war. So today it is just a peaceful hill, fit perfectly for nice walks.

We need to take one of these paths to make a little detour in order to see the cross by which the city of Przemyśl has devoted itself to the Divine Mercy during the millennium events in 2000. The cross is 22 meters high and the Christ is over 4 meters tall.

Let's get down and head towards our third hill.

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Zniesienie is part of the old fortress of Przemyśl, like Fort Bema is part of the fortress of Warsaw. It was built in late nineteenth century. Not that much remained of its defence role.

You may be surprised to find on the top of the hill some stairs.

No, this is not the Stairway to Heaven. This is an amphitheater where numerous concerts are held in the summertime.

Let's take a last look at Przemyśl from the top of the hill and let's move on to new adventures.

Once again thank you Edyta and Weronika for being my guides on this fantastic visit!