One thing I forgot to note in my previous post about my trip to the movie theater in Krakow. Just like in the US, I was treated to almost 30 minutes of commercials. Not previews, commercials. I thought this was just a US thing, but apparently the entire world is afflicted.

I hereby call on the world (or at least the 3 people who read this blog) to boycott all products adverstised at movie theaters. Especially if the ad consists of a bunch of NASCAR rednecks doing something that has nothing to do with the product. (That one was in the US, not in Poland).

So far, I’m boycotting Axe cologne, Halls mentholyptus cough drops, and a bunch of Polish crap that I have no idea what it is.

I found Krakow’s version of the Wolfchase Galleria yesterday: the “Galleria Kazmiersz”. I promptly made my way to “Cinema City”, the 10-screen movie theater where I saw one piece of crap and one pretty good movie. The pretty good one stars the DJ Jazzy Prince of Bel-Air, and was very funny, sweet, and in English (with Polish subtitles). The crappy one was in English too, but I wish it had been in Polish.

The subtitles were kind of cool. I had not considered that subtitles translate not only words, but concepts. For example, at one point someone mentioned a temperature drop of 5 degrees, but in the subtitles it was changed to 3 degrees, because of the difference between Fahrenheit and Celcius. There was also a mention of 15 pounds that was changed to the corresponding amount in kilograms. I kept waiting for someone to say “Quarter Pounder” so I could find out the Polish words for “Royale wit’ cheese”.

One other interesting thing about movies: they have assigned seating. When you buy your ticket, they have you point to the seat you want on the cash register screen, and your ticket has your seat assignment printed on it. This was irritating at first, because I don’t know the polish words for “row” or “seat”, and was worried that I would have no idea how to find it. But they were very clearly marked in the theater and it was no problem at all. This system should be incorporated in the U.S.; it would eliminate the hassle of trying to find 4 seats together when you arrive during the previews. You will know when you buy the ticket whether or not there are 4 together, and you won’t have to look like a buffoon wandering around a dark theater looking for seats.

Now for the down side of the movie experience. Despite the 4-foot high pictures of the concessions showing the candy bars, popcorn, and most notably the giant Coke with a bunch of ice cubes poking out over the rim of the cup, I got the “what are you talking about” look from the girl at the register when I asked for ice in the vat of room-temperature Coke that she gave me. When she figured out what I was asking for, she said “No, we don’t have ice.” I pointed to the giant sign featuring the beautiful icy Coke, and she just shrugged her shoulders and went about her business. Seriously, people, how in the world can you drink 32 (meters? kilograms? whatever) of room-temperature Coke and not get heartburn?

I can not wait to get home.

This is one of the ovens that Nazis used to murder millions of Jews. The rest of our pictures from our trip to Auschwitz are here. It was very eerie visiting the camp, especially the gas chambers and ovens. Fittingly, it was an overcast day when we were there. While I would not characterize the trip as “fun”, I would definitely say it was interesting and worthwhile. Everyone should visit this place.

Sorry for the long time between updates. About a week ago we moved from our hotel into an apartment, and the internet connection has not been set up yet. I have access at work, but I have the feeling that spending time and resources on blogging would be frowned upon. Hopefully the apartment connection will get set up soon and then I will post a more thorough update.

Kathy and Anna left Monday to go back to the USA, where they are enjoying a luxurious life of ice in their drinks and people who know what they are saying. Must be nice. I will be joining them one week from tomorrow. The job here has gone pretty well, and I will be very excited to get back home. Next Friday at 9:15pm my freak will officially be on.

I thought this morning I’d be posting pictures from our weekend, but unless you want a hundred pictures of our hotel bathroom, you’re not going to get any. I apparently ate something that wanted to kill me near the end of last week, and I spent the entire weekend wishing that it had.

We did actually make it out for a few hours in the early afternoon both days, visiting the Wawel and the Jewish district. I’m sure it would have been more interesting if I had not spend the whole time wondering if I was about to crap my pants.

Also, congrats to the Boston Red Sox who are now well on their way to 2090, the next year they will be due to win the World Series. How about a little Randy Johnson on opening day, chowds? HOW DO YOU LIKE THEM APPLES?

Vincent Vega was right–the metric system in Europe even affects McDonalds. Tonight we decided to cure homesickness and hunger at once and visit the Golden Arches. There it was on the menu before me: the McRoyal. Euros, not knowing what a “Quarter Pounder” is any more than they know what the word “football” means, have decided to call it the McRoyal.

And after a week of pirogis, kebabs, and stuff that I can’t even pronounce, I have to say it was GOOD. After a little prodding, they even managed to put 4 or 5 tiny ice cubes in my drink (although they acted as if this was the craziest thing they had ever heard of).

I have some more pictures to upload, but not the energy to do so, so you’ll have to wait until the weekend. We may try to visit Auchwitz, the Wawel, or the Salt Mines this weekend. If so, the pictures will be legion.

This shop is located about 2 blocks away from my hotel. Downwind, thankfully.

As we were out exploring, we found a movie theater. We’re not sure what was showing, though. Kathy tried to figure it out, but the Polish language is still lost in translation.

Anna has also updated her blog with some of her favorite Poland pictures. You can see it at AnnaOnline.

Poland is very cool so far. We were expecting freezing temperatures, but it has been in the mid to upper 60s since we got here. We arrived Wednesday night, and our bags arrived Thursday night, as they had decided to stop and visit Warsaw on the way.

The Polish are very big fans of consonants, especially the letter Z.

Milk, or mleko, comes in a box and not refrigerated. I’m not sure how that works, but I don’t think I like it. Also, who do you have to sleep with around here to get some ice in your drink? I learned quickly that you need to be specific when ordering tea with your meal; without any further clarification, they will assume you mean hot tea.

We have not had any problem communicating; there seems to be someone with at least enough English wherever we go to understand our basic needs. People have been extremely friendly and accommodating. Anything we ask for (except ice) is answered with “Yes, of course!”. It’s refreshing–we could stand to export some of this attitude to Memphis.

We plan to do some sightseeing this weekend and will try to get some pictures uploaded soon.