Wroclaw, Poland

WrocLovek or Wroclove Dwarfs

We got to Wroclaw in the early afternoon checked into our hostel and headed to see the square.  It was another beautiful square with colorful buildings and a lot of charm.  We paused for a few minutes at Town Hall and looked at the astronomical clock that shows not only the time but also the moon phases.  Then we ate lunch at Pizza Hut, and I learned that Pizza Huts in other countries are actually really nice restaurants. 

Right outside of our restaurant was this little guy!!! GNOMES.  They are a symbol of the Orange Alternative, a communist era rebel group that used ridicule as a weapon.  Waldemar Fydrych set up the Orange Alternative in the 1980s.  They began by painting gnomes around areas where authorities had painted over anti government graffiti.  The little gnomes were to draw attention to what had once been there.  During the second half of the decade the group became even more active by handing out items that were in short supply like toilet paper and other hygiene products.  They hoped this would embarrass the communist regime and encourage independent thought.     

We thought the cigarette under his plate was funny!  His name is Obiezysmak or the Gourmet gnome.

Now days gnomes have taken over the streets.  The can be found everywhere because there are over 230 of them throughout Wroclaw.  But it isn’t that easy to spot them.  They are sneaky little guys, so you have to be on the lookout.  We found 46 while we were there.  If you are really excited about gnome spotting like I was you can purchase a handy map to help you out, but beware they are not all on the map because more gnomes are continually being added to the collection.

On the left is Syzyfek Pchajacy Kule or Pushing the Ball.
On the right is  Syzyfek Podnoszacy Kule or Lifting the Ball

Gazeciarz or Newsboy

Floranek or Chimney-sweep

It is supposed to be lucky to touch his hat.

Papa Krasnal or Papa Dwarf

Zyczliwek or Friendly Dwarf

See how small they are!!!

Golebnik or Dovecote

Turysta or Tourist

Dialogomir or Relaxed Dwarf

One Kayla found at the Train Station

They are always doing something funny!

Poznan, Poland

For our last break we went to Poznan and Wroclaw with Adrian and Iza.  First we went to Poznan and enjoyed sometime walking around, eating wonderful food and meeting new people. 

When we arrived in Poznan we got off the train and the storm clouds were on us but it wasn’t yet raining.  We started to walk to the hostel and with in 2 minutes of walking there was a huge roll of thunder and a close crack of lightning.  Moments later it began to POUR.  We ran and took a break under an entryway.  There was nothing to do but laugh we were soaked.  Once it let up we were on our way again.  

When we got to the hostel the receptionist asked for our passports but then after looking at us let us go to the room, dry off and then bring our information down.  After we were dried off we met some of Adrian and Iza’s friends and had they best hamburger we have had in Poland for dinner. 

We walked around the Market Square and then went to a couch surfing event.  Because Poznan was part of Germany twice in history (before WWI and during WWII) and it is so close to the border of Germany the square has some cool German architecture.  I thought the buildings looked more like the ones in Amsterdam though.  Then we headed to bed for a good night rest.  In the morning we went back to the Market Square for the French Market.  

Town Hall

Then we went to the Botanical Gardens.  First we walked around the whole outside of the Garden, this is a sore subject for some people but I thought it was a really nice walk.  We found a cool woods, a lake, the Helen Doron Center of Poznan and it made finding the entrance that much more exciting. 

At the gardens we saw some cool flowers and got to feed the fish, this was my favorite part we even saw a turtle.  Then the next morning we were back on the train headed for Wroclaw!!