September 1939

Poland

September 1939 Hitler invades Poland

April 1943

Warsaw Ghetto Uprising

1944 - 1945 Warsaw Uprising Russia set up a Communist-dominated government for Poland in Lublin. Yalta Conference

At the war's end, over 6 million Poles were dead, approximately 20% of Poland's pre-war population

Communism and revolt1947 - Poland becomes a Communist People's Republic1955 - Poland joins the Warsaw Pact1956-1980s- Riots1981- Martial Law imposed

2010 April - President Lech Kaczynski is killed in a plane crash while on his way to a ceremony in Russia marking the 70th anniversary of the Katyn massacre during World War II.

PoliticsThe political system of the Republic of Poland is defined by the Constitutiondemocratic stateensuring the liberties of their citizenspress, belief, religion and philosophy, and it protects marriage.

Politics (Cont.)A social market economyseparation and balance between legislative, executive and judicial powers.Legislative- Sejm and Senate Executive- President and Council of Ministers Judicial- Courts and Tribunal

History of the Polish Language

Polish is a western Slavic languageRegional dialectical differences

Polish CustomsThe handshake is used as a common greeting. Close friends sometimes greet each other with a kiss. From right to left then back to the right. During social gathering women are greeted first. If inclined a man is allowed to kiss the hand of the women if she is older or younger

Similar to America it is common to only use anothers first name if given permission. Until then one must use the other parties surname along with Pan (men) and Pani (women)

Phrases and Wordshttp://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~atpc/learn/tools/pl-alphabet.htmlPhraseTranslationSounds LikeDzien dobryGood DayDjane dobryhDobry wieczorGood EveningDobryh veechoorhDobranocGood NightDobrahnotsCzescHi/HelloCheshtDo widzeniaGoodbyeDoh vitseneeahProszePleaseProshehDziekujeThank youDsjencooyahDziekiThanks (less formal)PrzepraszamI'm sorry / excuse meP-shep-rashamTakYesTakh (I just say Tak)NieNoNyehGestures to Avoid

Crystal Souvenirs

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16Other souvenirsArts and crafts:carved chess sets, dolls, replicas of ancient Polish weapons, wicker baskets, needlework, pottery, wooden toys, colorful blankets, lace, amber jewelry, and Wawel heads

Wawel Heads

Notable PolesMarie Sklodowska-Curie Fryderyk ChopinWislawa SzymborskaRoman PolanskiCopernicusPope John Paul II

Wieliczka Salt Mine

Warsaw NightlifeSuggested bars near our hotel

Bars and Nightclubs1. Sheesha2. Harenda 3. Cinnamon4. Panorama Club

Warsaw Shopping 1. Likus Concept Store2. Promenada3. Wola Park4. Yves Rocher

Krakow Nightlife

1. Prozak2. Shisha Club3. Caf Golebia4. PergaminKrakow Shopping Suggestions1. Batycki2. Miejsce (The Place)3. Este Gallery of Curiosities 4. Krakow Plaza

Useful Vocabulary and sourceswoda = waterpiwo = beeruliczny = streetaleja = boulevard

From Cracow-Life.comVamosTravel.com

Polish Wildlife

85 species of mammals, 8 species of reptiles, 55 species of fish, and 17 species of amphibians.

-European Bison-European Elk-White tailed eagle-Corncrake (bird)-Three-toed woodpecker-Grey wolf

White storkWild BoarTraditional AttireDelia (delja)

Kontusz (kuntush)

Inappropriate Attire

Currency Zloty code: PLN1 Zloty=100 GroszyZloty bill denominations: 10,20,50,100,200Zloty coin denominations: 1,2,5Groszy coin denominations: 1,2,5,10,20,50

1 PLN= $ .30 3.34 PLN=$1.00 Average Prices

Beer 2-10 zlBread 1 zlCoffee 4-10 zlDinners at snack bar 8-15 zlDinners at pizzeria 20-25 zlDinner at fine restaurant 50-100 zlVodka 25-100 zl

Poland is mostly a cash country

WeatherTypical July Weather

Day temps 60-75 FNight temps 40-50s F

High Humidity!

Bring Your Umbrella!

DestinationsKrakowWalking tour

Popular extras : Wawel Hill & Glowny Square

WarsawWalking tour

Warsaw GhettoGhetto Monument Jewish Cemetery

Auschwitz Birkenau

FoodsPierogi

BigosZrazy

Mizeria

Tips*Do NOT give money to children in Poland! They are used as a source of income and do not get what they receive from tourists.*Polish people are more respectful of tourists who know at least one word in Polish.*Shaking hands is the normal greeting, with it being customary for women to be kissed on the hand.*Roman Catholicism is important to most, and religious jokes are NOT appreciated.*The time zone is GMT (Greenwich mean time) +1 (6 hours ahead of us)*Best souvenirs: Vodka, cheese, pottery, wood carvingsSources20th Century History, The Jewish Cemetery in Warsaw. New York Times Co. n.d. Web. 22 June 2010.Auschwitz-Birkenau. Plan A Visit. Memorial and Museum. Panstwowe Museum. n.d. Web. 22 June 2010. ---. Basic Information. Memorial and Museum. Panstwowe Museum. n.d. Web. 22 June 2010.Bigos. Google. n.d. Web. 22 June 2010.Krakow, Magiczny. A Bird Eyes View. Krakow, Poland. n.d. Web. 22 June 2010. ---. Krakow ABC. Krakow, Poland. n.d. Web. 22 June 2010. ---. Our City. Krakow, Poland. n.d. Web. 22 June 2010. ---. The Main Square-Rynek Glowny. Krakow, Poland. n.d. Web. 22 June 2010.---. Wawel. Krakow, Poland. n.d. Web. 22 June 2010.Kubilius, Kerry. Polish Traditional Foods. Eastern European Travel. New York Times Co. n.d. Web. 22 June 2010.Mizeria. Google. 6 Oct. 2006. Web. 22 June 2010.Poland, Dept. of Travel. Stay Poland Travel. n.d. Web. 22 June 2010.Polish Zloty Currency. 2009. Web. 22 June 2010.Rake, Jake. Pierogi. Google. Oct. 2008. Web. 22 june 2010.Warsaw, City of. Climate and Temperatures. Warsaw, Poland. n.d. Web. 22 June 2010.---. Food. Warsaw, Poland. n.d. Web. 22 June 2010.---. Money. Warsaw, Poland. n.d. Web. 22 June 2010.---. The Jewish Cemetery. Warsaw-Life. n.d. Web. 22 June 2010.---. The Jewish Ghetto in Warsaw. Warsaw, Poland. n.d. Web. 22 June 2010.---. Tourist Attraction. Warsaw, Poland. n.d. Web. 22 June 2010.---. Warsaw Ghetto Heroes. Warsaw, Poland. 5 Jan. 2008. Web. 22 June 2010.---. Warsaw in Brief. Warsaw, Poland. n.d. Web. 22 June 2010.Zrazy. Google. n.d. Web. 22 June 2010.