Geocache in Poland

Amazing to think I planted this cache more that 10 years ago and still get email that people discover it!

http://www.geocaching.com/geocache/GCM1VC_stacked-rocks

Polytechnik Gdansk

Back in 2004, I thought it would be a good idea to attend University in Poland.  It was a good idea on paper, but in reality there were a lot of complex issues that I faced and it turned to be a challenging experience both at the university and living in Poland, plus helping my grandfather go though chemo.

I was born in Poland at have visited the country many times during my childhood, but this was the first time I lived in Poland.  My parents were quite excited that I go back to Poland, to the motherland.  But I had no idea what that meant.  At one point I was told by a classmate, "go back home" and that that point I released that Poland is not my country.  The university in Poland was also quite something.  I was use to the American education system and was in quite a shock how things are done in Poland.  It was truly a different country.

I may be a Polish citizen (or what's called Polonia), but I'm not Polish and have very little in common with Polish people.

Gdansk

Before starting Uni in Gdansk, I decided to visit the city as a tourist, just to see it from the outside.  Gdansk is rich in history and quite amazing to study and explore.

Rome!

Part of being Catholic and Polish, it's near mandatory to visit Rome and spend some time there.  The US-Polish congress runs a summer University program (or as I called it, University Themed vacation) in Rome.  It's a month long vacation learning about Italy, Cahalosisim and a fair dose of Polishness for good measure.

Was really a great time and quite amazing.

Rüdesheim Hike

A nice place to go for a hike along the Rhein River.

Schloß Auerbach

This castle in between Heidelberg and Frankfurt.  It's quite a little charming castle with a tree growing in the wall.

It's located just south of Darmstadt and on a clear day you can see the valley between Mannheim and Frankfurt.

Langen

Spent many years in this house.  In a way it's a bit of my childhood home.

The funny thing is we use to live on the right side of the stairwell many years before.  Then when we came back from the States and a few years later we ended up on the left side.

First time in Rome

When I came back to Germany, I decided to travel more and see more of Europe.  I haven't been down to Italy and it was something that I wanted to see.  Ryanair at that time was dirt cheap and I booked a ticket to go down for a weekend.

This was the first time I flew Ryanair and also in Rome (well, south of the Alps).  Ryanair was quite an adventure, as I was use to the full-service airlines that go transcontinental and not the shuttle flights with no service (sit down and shut-up!)

Italy was also quite an adventure, I don't know what I was expecting, perhaps something like Germany or Florida.  I was a little surprised seeing Communist party flags and the easy going nature of Italians.  This started my admiration of Italy.

It's also interesting that at this point I was starting to get more into photography.  I only had a Canon S100 (~3 megapixels?) It worked and managed to get some good pictures.  Funny, my travel camera today is also a S100, but the 2014 model.

Top of Germany

Had the opportunity to go atop the Zugspitz mountain   It's the highest mountain in Germany and there's a cobble train that takes you to the base, then a gondola that lifts you to the top.

I still have the Garmin GPS III and it works.  Amazing to think the GPS technology is so old and in use every day.

The view from the top, looking down at the lake below - and Garmisch just to the top-right.

Frankfurt

Back in November, I went to visit my parents in Germany.  I think at this point I decided to move back to Germany and started packing my stuff when I came back to Tampa.

DC

Before heading back to Europe, I decided to visit DC.  Quite an interesting city.  I would like to visit it in more detail one day.

Hiking in Flordia

Hiking in Florida is quite amazing, the nature is nothing like that of continental Europe.

Tampa on the weekend

Tampa is quite a funny city.  The name comes from the local Indian language and means lightning.  Tampa has the most lightning strikes in the world.  The funny thing is that no one lives in the city, as seen on the weekends when it's empty.

Banana Spiders

Hiking in Florida is quite a challenge with all the little creatures that are hanging around.  Often you have to hike with a stick in front of your face so you don't run into these guys.  They like to weave a web crossing a trail just at the hight of your face.  Don't think they are poisons, but will wake you up if you run into them.