Discover Poland: 32 Fascinating Facts That Will Amaze You

Poland, a land of rich history, breathtaking landscapes, and vibrant culture, holds a treasure trove of fascinating facts waiting to be uncovered. From ancient traditions to modern innovations, here are 32 interesting tidbits about this enchanting country that will leave you intrigued:

1. Size Matters: Poland ranks as the 9th largest country in Europe, offering a vast expanse of diverse terrain to explore.

2. Roots of the Name: The name "Poland" (Polska) originates from the tribe "Polanie," meaning "people living in open fields," reflecting its early inhabitants' way of life.

3. Vanishing Act: Between 1772 and 1795, Poland disappeared from world maps due to partitions by neighboring powers.

4. Constitutional Trailblazer: In 1791, Poland adopted the world's second written constitution, just after the USA, setting a groundbreaking precedent in governance.

5. Phoenix from the Ashes: Warsaw, ravaged during WWII, rose from its ruins to meticulously reconstruct its Old Town, preserving its medieval allure.

6. Eclectic Landscapes: From beaches to mountains, forests to lakes, and even Europe's only desert - the Bledowska Desert, Poland boasts diverse natural wonders.

7. Academic Heritage: Home to the second oldest university in Europe, Jagiellonian University, founded in 1364, Poland has long been a center of academic excellence.

8. Salt of the Earth: The Wieliczka Salt Mine, over 800 years old, stands as a testament to Poland's rich mining heritage and architectural ingenuity.

9. Market Marvel: Krakow's market, the largest in Poland and Europe, spans an impressive 200 meters on each side, bustling with activity and history.

10. Lake Paradise: The Masurian Lake District enchants with over 2300 lakes, offering tranquil retreats and scenic vistas.

11. Global Celebrations: Argentina honors Polish heritage with Polish Day, established in 1995, highlighting the enduring bond between the two nations.

12. Culinary Legacy: Poland's culinary heritage dates back centuries, with the first surviving Polish cookbook published in 1698, offering a glimpse into traditional gastronomy.

13. Musical Extravaganza: The Pol'and'Rock Festival, Europe's largest outdoor music festival, captivates audiences with its electrifying performances and vibrant atmosphere.

14. Architectural Marvel: The Palace of Culture and Science boasts the second largest clock in Europe, a testament to Poland's architectural prowess.

15. Cheese Chronicles: Evidence of cheese production dating back 7500-8000 years near Warsaw underscores Poland's rich dairy traditions.

16. Slimmest Abode: Warsaw lays claim to the narrowest house in the world, a mere 92 cm wide at its thinnest point, nestled between two buildings.

17. Golden Years: The President of Poland honors enduring love by awarding medals to couples celebrating 50 years of marriage, a touching tribute to lifelong commitment.

18. Scarred by War: Poland's resilience shines through its tumultuous history, with approximately 20% of its population perishing during WWII, a testament to the nation's fortitude.

19. Libation Innovation: Polish culture embraces unique drinking customs, such as beer with juice or mulled wine, adding a distinctive flair to social gatherings.

20. Bison Haven: Europe's heaviest land animals, European bison, roam freely in Poland's Białowieża Primeval Forest, a symbol of conservation efforts and biodiversity.

21. Gone but Not Forgotten: The Warsaw Radio Mast, once the world's tallest structure, stood as a beacon of communication until its collapse in 1991, leaving behind a legacy of technological marvel.

22. Castle Grandeur: Malbork Castle, the largest castle globally, enchants visitors with its grandeur and Gothic architecture, a testament to Poland's medieval heritage.

23. Etiquette Essentials: Polish culture places importance on etiquette, with wearing hats indoors considered impolite, especially in homes or places of worship.

24. Festive Soak: Smigus Dyngus, celebrated on Easter Monday, sees revelers engage in water fights, symbolizing purification and fertility, in a lively tradition cherished by many.

25. Name Day Celebrations: Poles commemorate their name days, associated with saints, alongside birthdays, reflecting a deep-rooted connection to tradition and religious customs.

26. Dubbing Delight: Foreign movies and series on Polish TV are uniquely dubbed by a single male voice, a distinctive feature of Poland's television culture.

27. Amber Appeal: Poland leads globally in amber exports, with souvenirs and jewelry prized for their beauty and craftsmanship, attracting tourists from far and wide.

28. Mushroom Foraging: Picking wild mushrooms in forests is a beloved family pastime in Poland, with generations passing down knowledge of edible varieties.

29. Historic Hospitality: Wrocław's "Piwnica Świdnicka," Europe's oldest restaurant in continuous operation since 1275, offers a taste of history and culinary delights.

30. Floral Faux Pas: A cultural quirk dictates that even-numbered flowers are reserved for funerals, with chrysanthemums and white lilies symbolizing remembrance and reverence.

31. Hidden Gems: Poland boasts Europe's oldest forest, the village with the geometric center of Europe, and the unique Wild Pigs Beach, offering surprises at every turn.

32. Farewell to Winter: Poland bids adieu to winter with a unique tradition. Marzanna dolls, symbolizing winter, are ceremoniously "drowned" in rivers or lakes on the first day of spring, marking the onset of a new season.

From its storied past to its vibrant present, Poland captivates with its rich tapestry of culture, tradition, and innovation. These 32 intriguing facts offer a glimpse into the heart and soul of this extraordinary country, inviting you to explore its wonders and forge unforgettable memories. So, what are you waiting for? Dive into the enchanting world of Poland and discover its endless charms for yourself!

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First Tme Experiancing Qingming Festival (Tomb-Sweeping Day)

This year marked my first attendance at the Qingming Festival, also known as Tomb-Sweeping Day. It was a surprising experience, quite different from how we commemorate the deceased in Poland. I found the cemeteries here to be less welcoming compared to those in Poland, perhaps because we visit them frequently, sometimes daily or a few times a year, and maintain them clean and beautifully decorated throughout. In Poland, we also observe All Saints' Day on November 1st to honor the departed. On this day, we bring flowers and candles to the graves, and you'll witness a large crowd, much larger than what I observed here. It's customary to visit graves at night, especially on that day when there's ample light around, creating a beautiful atmosphere. Visiting Poland in November poses challenges, especially with our son starting elementary school, so, it's unlikely that I'll be able to share more about All Saints' Day anytime soon.

Qingming Festival, also known as Tomb-Sweeping Day, it's a significant traditional Chinese festival observed in Taiwan, mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau, and other Chinese communities around the world. Qingming Festival, typically falls in early April, people visit the gravesites of their ancestors to clean and maintain them. They offer prayers, burn incense, and make offerings of food and other items as a sign of respect for their deceased loved ones. It's a time for families to gather, honor their ancestors, and pay tribute to their heritage. 

During Qingming Festival, people engage in various activities to honor their ancestors and loved ones who have passed away. 

1. Families visit the gravesites of their ancestors to clean and tidy them up. They remove weeds, sweep away debris, and tidy the area around the tombstones as a sign of respect.

2. Offerings are made to the deceased as a way to honor and remember them. These offerings typically include food items such as fruit, rice, cakes, and other traditional delicacies. Incense sticks are also burned as a symbolic gesture to communicate with the spirits of the ancestors.

3. Joss paper, also known as ghost money, is burned during Qingming Festival. This paper is believed to transfer to the afterlife and provide for the deceased in the spiritual realm. 

People burn joss paper in the form of money, clothing, houses, and other items to ensure their ancestors' comfort and prosperity in the afterlife.

4. Families perform traditional rituals at the gravesite, such as bowing, kneeling, and offering prayers. These rituals are performed to show filial piety and respect for the deceased.

5. Qingming Festival also marks the arrival of spring, so it's common for families to spend time outdoors enjoying the fresh air and natural scenery. Some people take the opportunity to go for picnics, fly kites, or take leisurely walks in parks and countryside areas.

6. In addition to visiting gravesites, families may also set up ancestral altars at home to pay respects to their ancestors. They may offer food, incense, and other offerings at the family altar and hold ceremonies to honor their ancestors' spirits.

Overall, Qingming Festival is a time for families to come together, reflect on their heritage, and show gratitude and respect for their ancestors. It's a deeply rooted tradition that plays an important role in Chinese culture and society. 

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A Day of Earthquake: Reflections on Living in Taiwan

Before moving to Taiwan, I had never experienced the raw power of an earthquake. In the seven years of residing here, I've encountered a few tremors, but nothing prepared me for the magnitude of the recent one. It was, by far, the most intense seismic activity I've ever felt - magnitude of 7.4!

The day began like any other - a picturesque morning with my son swiftly getting ready for kindergarten. As we made our way downstairs, we stumbled upon a butterfly on the sidewalk. Taking a moment to relocate it to safety, we engaged in a brief chat with the building guard. Little did I know, those precious minutes spent outside would place me in a safer spot when disaster struck.

Just as we were nearing a nearby park, the earthquake alarm blared, signaling impending danger. With only enough time to grab my phone, the ground beneath us began to shake violently. Typically unfazed by minor tremors outdoors, I immediately recognized the seriousness of this one. Taking refuge on a nearby bench, we watched as buildings swayed ominously, hoping they wouldn't collapse.

Upon reaching my son's kindergarten, I was relieved to see the teachers and children already outside, following their earthquake drills. Leaving my son in their care, I hurried back home. What I encountered upon my return left me in shock... water from our aquarium had spilled everywhere, soaking our belongings and causing chaos. Amidst the chaos, we even discovered a shrimp on the floor. It was no surprise, considering that half of the water from our aquarium had spilled onto the ground.We found only a few items knocked over, the balcony door swung open, wardrobes ajar, and luggage scattered about, signaling that perhaps we were in dire need of a holiday. Later the day, we did packed our bags and departed, especially since it was the long weekend for the Swipping Tumb Festival - a perfect opportunity to escape the North. 

In the aftermath, as reports and images poured in from others in our community, it became evident that our situation was relatively mild compared to the devastation experienced elsewhere. Cracked walls and tiles, fallen wardrobes, and broken glass were commonplace in neighboring areas. Some individuals were even unable to open their doors due to structural damage. Someone's cat even escaped through the window...

Images and videos from places closer to the epicenter painted an even grimmer picture - shaking bridges, fractured roads, falling stones, crashed cars, and collapsed buildings. It's important to note that this earthquake marks the most significant seismic event in 25 years!

Reflecting on the events of the day, I couldn't help but marvel at Taiwan's resilience. Despite the magnitude of the earthquake, casualties were remarkably low - a testament to the nation's robust infrastructure and disaster preparedness. Yet, the fear lingers, a reminder of the unpredictable forces of nature.

And here are a few pictures from our apartment:

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Did I Give Up on My Blog? An Update on My Creative Ventures

If you've been following my blog, you might have noticed a pattern – periods of silence followed by bursts of activity. It's true; I don't post as frequently as I used to, sometimes going a month or two without an update, only to suddenly flood your feed with posts. But fear not, dear readers, for I haven't abandoned ship just yet. Allow me to share a little insight into what I've been up to lately.

Lately, I've found myself experiencing occasional bouts of boredom with writing. Don't get me wrong, I still love to write, but sometimes the inspiration just isn't there. However, instead of wallowing in writer's block, I decided to channel my creative energy into something new - a second blog! 

Originally, I intended to cover everything under one virtual roof, but I soon realized that my interests in travel/life and food were like two ships passing in the night. Thus, my new blog was born, focusing solely on culinary delights. And let me tell you, diving into the world of food videos has been an unexpected joyride.

Delving into the world of food videos has been an exciting journey. Unlike travel videos, which often require me to be on the move, I can create culinary delights from the comfort of my own kitchen (actually living room, as Taiwanese kitchens are way too small). Initially, it was my husband's idea, but I've grown to love it. Editing videos, adding voiceovers, and even experimenting with storytelling has become second nature to me. Admittedly, I still struggle with showing my face on camera - I'm much more comfortable behind the scenes. However, I've come to appreciate the power of voiceovers in conveying my stories.

And guess what? Today, our channel - well, my channel, since my husband's involvement is minimal – reached a milestone of 777 subscribers! Who would have thought? It's a far cry from my cake page's impressive following (5600+), but hey, every subscriber counts, right?

When I first started, I never imagined reaching such a number, but here we are. While I hope to see it grow even further, I'm content with celebrating this moment.

However, not all news is sunshine and rainbows. Since moving to the north, my cake business has taken a hit. Economic woes, compounded by the ongoing pandemic and global unrest, have forced many to tighten their purse strings. It's disheartening to see one of my sources of joy slowly fading away.

Living in Miaoli has left me feeling quite exhausted lately. It's surprising how different it is from the south, not just in terms of geography but also in terms of people's mentality. I've found it challenging to connect with others here; it seems like everyone is engrossed in their own world, glued to their phones or standing apart from each other in social settings. Even when I pick up my son from school, I notice that while the children play and chat happily, the parents rarely interact with each other.

Adding to my concerns, my son has a new teacher this year, and despite the language barrier, communication with her has been practically non-existent. She never asks for my input or requests my husband's presence for important discussions. It's frustrating to feel so disconnected.

As my son prepares to enter elementary school, I'm filled with apprehension about the demanding schedule and academic expectations. While elementary school typically ends by noon and after-school classes aren't mandatory, I've heard that many children either stay for additional classes or attend cram schools to stay ahead. It's a tough decision to make, especially considering my husband works from home, and I juggle various responsibilities including baking, blogging, YouTube, and household chores, so it would be overwhelming having him home by noon, but also I don't want him to stay there 7AM - 5PM...

Despite these challenges, I remain hopeful that my son will adapt well to the new routine and thrive academically. However, his current struggle to focus for more than a few minutes is a cause for concern. I'm determined to support him in any way I can, even if it means navigating through unfamiliar territory and overcoming obstacles along the way. Here's to hoping for brighter days ahead and a smoother transition into this new chapter of our lives.

So, has my blog been abandoned? Not quite. It's just evolving, much like life itself. And while there may be bumps along the way, I'm excited to see where this journey takes us next. Thank you for being a part of it.

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A Lasting Legacy: The Operational Roundhouse in Taiwan's Changhua

Travel Date: 2024/03/23

It's been six years since we last visited this place. Our son was only four months old at the time, and when I showed him pictures, he couldn't believe it. He always feels like we never take him anywhere, as he can't remember those early days... Luckily, I have pictures from every place we've been to. Over the past two years, we haven't gone out as much as we used to six or seven years ago, especially since moving to the north. I have no idea where to go next, as many places either we've seen before or they don't seem that interesting to visit. This isn't great for my YouTube channel either, as I barely have any videos except for cooking ones. At least winter seems to be fading away, and suddenly we're experiencing temperatures of 34 degrees Celsius, such a change from the 15-20 degrees recently. I love summer, so the warmer weather doesn't bother me at all, but the only downside is that I can't open my eyes due to the sunlight, and I end up looking terrible in pictures, lol.

We also made a stop at Tianwei Highway Gardens as I wanted to find some herbs for my balcony... I've managed to make many of them disappear... I guess keeping plants on the balcony is a lot harder than having an actual garden like I used to have in Poland.

Changhua Roundhouse (扇形車庫)

The Changhua Fan-shaped Garage is located in the northern part of Changhua Station. It's part of the Changhua Locomotive Depot and was built in 1922. The warehouse building is centered around the railway turntable, forming a semi-arc-shaped garage with twelve lanes in a radial pattern. It's one of the legacies of Taiwan's Japanese rule. Initially, the roundhouse had only six stalls, but more were added in 1933.

Currently, the only preserved fan-shaped garage in Taiwan is this county-level monument in Changhua County. Worldwide, there are only three roundhouses still in use, with the other two located in Mexico.

The purpose of this roundhouse was to maintain and repair locomotives and provide parking space for long-distance trains. For this reason, the place was also called the "locomotive hotel."

Today, it's used as a maintenance depot for diesel and electric trains and is also home to old steam engines. It's the only place in Taiwan where all types of locomotives are serviced.

The garage building is divided into twelve stalls, each with its own rail spur, large enough for one locomotive. It's centered around the turntable and spread out at a 99-degree angle towards the garage. Since steam locomotives can only drive forward, unlike electric or diesel locomotives that have front and rear cockpits for two-way driving, steam locomotives need to be turned around on the transfer platform to change their direction. The locomotives stop on this bridge-like structure and wait for it to turn them in the right position to take their space.

In addition to the Changhua fan-shaped garage, six roundhouses were built in different cities between 1895 and 1945, including Taipei, Hsinchu, Chiayi, and two in Kaohsiung. The first roundhouse was built in Taipei in 1901.

As cities grew and steam locomotives were phased out of service, roundhouses became obsolete. In the 1970s, the roundhouse in Kaohsiung was the first to be demolished. After the demolition of the other five roundhouses, people realized that if the last one in Changhua was not preserved, the memory of steam locomotives in Taiwan would fade away.

The Taiwan Railway had plans to build a central electric train maintenance base, and the last remaining garage was meant to be dismantled. However, it was saved by local residents and railway enthusiasts. The electric vehicle maintenance base was relocated to the south of Changhua Station. In January 2001, the Changhua County Government designated the roundhouse as a county historic site.

To enter the Changhua Roundhouse, visitors only need to register at the entrance guard room, and group tours can be arranged for more than ten people. The garage is still in service, retaining its maintenance function. Visitors have the opportunity to witness on-site maintenance and observe locomotives departing from the warehouse, experiencing the actual operation of the fan-shaped garage. In addition to the main building and random dynamic displays, there are two robot sculptures in the factory made from discarded parts of the Taichai diesel engine. Construction observation decks, rows of chairs under trees, and toilets are also available.

Entry to the Changhua Roundhouse is free of charge, and the opening hours are Tuesday to Friday from 13:00 to 16:00, and on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays from 10:00 to 16:00.

Next to the place, you can also visit Roundhouse Railway Park, which offers rides on a small train for 150NT per person. Additionally, there are various types of souvenirs and coffee available. There was also a small market at the time, although I'm not sure if it's like this every weekend.

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Exploring Nature's Beauty: A Day Trip to Fengxiang Waterfall and Beipu Cold Springs

Travel Date: 2024/02/12

During the Lunar New Year holidays, our family had initially planned to visit Taipei Zoo. However, as often happens, traffic intervened and rerouted our plans. Spontaneously, we opted to head towards the mountains instead, seeking the tranquility of nature.

Exiting the highway near Hsinchu, we embarked on a familiar path towards Fengxiang Waterfall, a destination we had explored the previous summer. As we approached, the awe-inspiring sight of the cascading water greeted us once more. Surprisingly, we found ourselves among the few visitors, aside from a couple enjoying a serene fishing session. Engaging with the local ecosystem, we discovered fascinating insights into the fish and frogs that call this area home.

Originating from higher elevations in the mountains, the water is cool even in the summer. Unlike our previous visit, when the site bustled with activity, today we savored the solitude of our surroundings. It's no wonder families frequent this spot, considering its safety and natural playground for children. Reflecting on our past experience, I recalled capturing the essence of this place in a video during our previous visit, which you can also explore.

On our journey homeward, we made an impromptu stop at Beipu Cold Springs. Despite the chilly waters, a handful of adventurous souls braved the cold for a refreshing dip. Personally, I've never been fond of cold water, even during the warmer months. Yet, observing others revel in the river's embrace during summer made me question my resilience. Growing up in Poland, where cold waters were the norm, I never shied away. However, living in Taiwan has shifted my perspective, fostering a newfound appreciation for warmth.

With the off-season upon us, the usual bustle was absent, and the amenities typically available during summer were nowhere to be found. Nonetheless, basking in the sunlight, we relished the tranquility before bidding farewell to our serene sanctuary and journeying homeward.

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