Likes about Poland - I gave up smoking

Everyone smokes, fags are cheap - of all the places and times to give up but myself and Magda succeeded! It's about a year now and it was surprisingly easy considering I was a heavy smoker for nearly 10 years! I came close to having a puff every now and then but never succumbed. The secret? Give up with someone and make a pact to support each other! That is my message.
Then you can make loads of money by selling them without smoking them!!! Job done.

The highest sports stadium in Poland - Szklarska poreba

Cross country skiing and shooting on skiis is popular in Poland and Szklarska poreba due to lots of snow and mountains. I wish I could remember exactly how high this stadium is above sea level but roughly speaking......it is very high. Szrenica mountain is in the background if that provides any helpful reference to the relative height.

Also on a similar note,

behind Magdas' house is the strangest 400m track I have ever seen. It is part of the high school but actually occupies varying heights and winds through the trees marked with a yellow blotch. Battling with trying to jog at altitude (which is so much harder than I thought) I used to focus more on not tripping on tree roots, finding the next yellow tree and generally avoiding the trees. I used to be SO focused on this that I would find myself running miles and miles at altitude.....without realising it!

I have a new found respect for children having to do sports in mountain schools, especially those with severe winters as I could not even breathe in the snow!

Things to do in Poland

Buy or make cheesecake (Sernik)




Although I am an avid Cheddar lover, I never was fond of cheesecake but for some unknown reason that all changed once I moved to Poland. On my first day in Poland I met my Magdas' family in Szklarska poreba and being extremely nervous my appetite was not at its greatest but I was presented with plate of cake - homemade cheesecake! - upon sitting in the front room. Being the tremendously polite gentleman I am I put a brave face on (and stomach), and started to force it down while face-acting to my best ability. To my surprise though it was really rather tasty and my love affair with Polish cheesecake or sernik began.

These two beauties can be found in Spar which was only 5mins away from our flat in Zielona Gora. The cake selection was the only redeemable quality that Spar possessed as I always thought that no one had a clue what there job was or it was not important. Perhaps the manager of this particular branch had gone for a cigarette break a couple of years ago and none of the staff have bothered to check if he has come back. I think I might be bitter because I used to buy the lotto here and never won!

If you want to try and make one (Magdas' mothers own recipe!) visit http://www.polishfoodrecipes.blogspot.com/

It is very easy but an unforgettable taste which has been receiving much praise I assure you.