Crucian's adventures...

Polish Hungarian Brotherhood ...

noreply@blogger.com (Marta Karaś) — Sun, 12 Dec 2010 19:34:00 +0000

There is a nice saying about Polish-Hungarian Brotherhood. That the citizens of those two countries are perfect partners for....fighting and drinking. Well, we don't want to analyse that from historical perspective - now, do we?

What we can do now, is to enjoy the beauty of Hungary while doing so, trying to discover all the similarities and "family traits" on our own :)

Together with our great friends from BagIt Poland, we tend to enjoy simple holidays. You know that type, right? It's those times when one day you realise that if another minute will be spend in a particular place, you'll feel miserable. It's then, when you come to thinking that it only takes a car, your best mates and a bunch of positive thinking to have the holidays of your dreams.

Well, we felt like that and that's why 7 of us just left everything behind and went on a trip to Hugarian Heves region - to a little village in the Northern part of the country, called Egerszalók

It's amazing! Because it's simple! :)

Thermal parks with amazingly warm and healing water -
Hungarian best of the best

Wine, wine, wine -
Egerszalok is filled with little, family-owned wine cellars
with fantastic wine

Eger

Our team in Eger

Marzipan museum makes you want to eat it all inside :)

A treat for folklore fans like me

Restaurants have a great selection of amazing meals.
We tried some great ones, like that deer with fried potatos

Truly Polish-like views :)

and fun for all in one of many great swimming pools in Egerszalok

For those of you who managed to scan this post until now, a little something for dessert - that saying I mentioned in the beginning in Polish and Hungarian version:

Enjoy it!
Polish Hungarian Brotherhood

Keep Walking...When You Feel Like You Can't Stop

noreply@blogger.com (Marta Karaś) — Sun, 12 Dec 2010 17:15:00 +0000

Why would people like us - young, lazy, city-lovers - like to relax in any other way than lying on a sofa watching TV?

Hey, here's an idea - there are some places, situations and people, that make you want to keep walking like there's no better fun than doing so:

- could your friends you haven't seen for so long
- could be your favorite Bieszczady Mountains in the deep South of Poland, you haven't been to for ages (or any other special place of yours)
- could be those special moments you just feel like you don't want to stop

Why not trying to do things differently for a change and spend some quality time with your Team? We've chosen Bieszczady and it was truly an unforgettable time. Highly recommended! (I mean, don;t you just love the views?) :)

Little stretching before we take off

First rule of good fun - know who you go with and ...were are you going!

Agi and Lukas - just married!

It's amazing how in Bieszczady Mountains the nature remains untouched...

In a role of brave daredevils - Agi and me

Relaxing together after a long walk to the top :)

Two best friends and business partners proudly presenting their
eco bag of BagIt Poland

We deserved it!
Nothing tastes better than a freshly fried fish after coming back to the base

Be a true...tourist for a change! Egypt recap 2010

noreply@blogger.com (Marta Karaś) — Sun, 05 Dec 2010 16:41:00 +0000

Do you promise yourself each year - this time I will spend my holidays somewhere amazing and different? Thailand? Borneo? Tanzania? Anywhere, as far as it is original and cool. All the media we watch, all the blogs we read and our more less good friends from work define what "cool" should mean to you.

"Go to X, it's the end of the world, but the views are great, hotels are cheap and there are millions of tourist attractions out there" - they say.

But do you really want to end up like gazillions of tourists in the world - lying by the hotel's swimming pool, sunbathing and drinking beer most of the day just to go back to your home and tell your friends "I've been to this cool and fancy X-city/country"....?

If, like I, you are a true traveler and you'd rather stay home than be just one of those tourist, try to.....well, BE ONE for a change, even if it's just once in a lifetime!

I believe, that a true traveler is eager to discover the world as it is. And, like it or not, it is a tourist-dominated place.

Together with Mario, we have decided to try and be those tourists, lying by a swimming pool all day long :) We went to Egypt with a tour agency to find out how it is to be a tourist not a traveler.

***

Don't get me wrong - I love Egypt - it blew my mind since I was little. At that time I was dreaming about Pharaon, his pyramids, crossing the Sahara Desert on a camel's back.

But nowadays, Egypt became this all-tourist, 5-star hotel, one big resort for people from all over the world who have enough money to come and visit it and buy some "golden" souvenirs on a market, but not enough zest to leave their beautiful hotels and explore the unknown life of true Egypt.

It may sound bitter, but that's just how the life works, where business and money rule.

Anyway, with Mario, we discovered the Egypt a little bit differently. OK, we did stay in 5-star hotel with All-inclusive, but also there were some surprises on the way....

1. Polish President's plane crush - that news has reached us just as we landed in Hurghada and it shadowed are trip since then
2. Volcano's explosion in Iceland - that made us stay in Hurghada a whole week longer than we planned
3. Making friends with Hotel Receptionist - Wayer - took care of us and showed a non-tourist side of Hurghada

Looking at this now, I think it really was an amazing trip and I need to admit it, there even where some moments I felt like the Pharaon is close, watching us when we enter his ancient, mysterious world...

Temple of Hatshepsut in the back and us as tourists :)

Ancient painting - so fresh yet so old...

Monumental columns in Luxor Temple

Obelisk

The entrance to the temple

A Nile River cruise - here by the river, the time has stopped...

Colossi of Memnon

...and back to sunbathing :)

Hurghada is like a never-ending market place

Mario - making some friends

With Wayer, who helped us survive the time
of waiting to go back home

More pictures available in the album on the right hand side. Enjoy!

Guess what's the best New Year's Resoution?

noreply@blogger.com (Marta Karaś) — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 19:38:00 +0000

For all you guys up there, who think there is nothing like fulfilled New Year's Resolution, I've got a surprise! - there are plenty and not because someone set them up for some kind of easy-peasies, but because they actually though their resolutions through!!!

So if you still wonder, what's the best New Year's resolution, here are some hints and tips (all worked on me so far!) :)

1) First, take one that concerns your professional side of life -be realistic, while remaining optimistic. :) Mine worked brilliantly - Like most of you, guys, I always wanted to engage myself into something new, a new idea, business or project.

Thanks to my friends, I manged to fulfill all of these criteria. BagIt Poland, is an eco bag business set up by three of 'my boys' from Rzeszów. They now produce and sell 100% eco bags from cotton and jute and I am proud to be helping them to develop that business.

Big opening of BagIt Poland - Rzeszów 2010

at the RemaDays 2010 fairs - BagIt Poland's offer of eco bags

It does not have to involve much of your time daily, but something like that will sure give you a lot of satisfaction and....one fulfilled Resoution!

2) The second one could represent your private area of life. Think of your hobby, beloved sport or something you simply like to do in a free time. Now, this is a good one and guaranteed to be fulfilled!!

Mine was to keep up with a dose of sport in my busy schedule. And, I know you think - "I promised to do that to myself like million times now", but take a good direction here. You need to get fun from it, right?!

So, now, together with Mario, we are scheduling our first ski trip this year (in sunny Italy), then there is swimming pool once a week and fitness classes (that one starts from this Tuesday). And finally, my passion and big love - dance!!!

After more than 2 years of not dancing two times (or more) a week, I will finally be able to do that again! Whoa!!! :) It's thanks to Resovia Saltans' ensemble anniversary, which is due to Novemeber this year. So we are going to practice once a month! Maybe, it's not insanely much, but at least I feel like I fulfilled my another New Year's resolution! :)

Resovia Saltans during one of the performences (Mazur dance)

So, there you go...there are just two New Year's Resolutions, that are achievable by simply anybody. And if you need another one, just for the end, take that one:

SPEND AT LEAST TWO OURS A DAY WITH THOSE YOU LOVE AND AT LEAST 1 HOUR ALONE, JUST BY YOURSELF...after all - there needs to be balance in everything!

Happy New Resolutions!
:)
Yours, Marta
xxx

XXI Century Molecular Kitchen With Wojciech Modest Amaro

noreply@blogger.com (Marta Karaś) — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 19:43:00 +0000

One of the adventures everyone of us is taking upon every day is...cooking. Judging from some of my friends and mine experiences, quite frankly it is not the easiest adventures in our lives. It's a lot of messing up, mixing, time management and stress there...

There are, of course the cook books that are suppose to guide us during those experiences and discoveries. And there is a Polish ones to, that our mothers, grandmothers and grand grand mothers commonly used for years.

But modern cuisine is something more than those old granny books. We all see that and we are all eager to bring some freshness and sexiness to our kitchens. That's why programs like "Simply Cook" ("Po prostu gotuj") with Pascal Brodnicki or Jamie Oliver series are so extremely popular. It's because we all search for this perfect recipe there.

The XXI Century Gastronomy by W.M. Amaro*

And here I went, just last night, to a event that has changed my way of thinking of cooking totally. It was a promotion of a book of Wojciech Modest Amaro titled "Kuchnia XXI wieku" (XXI Century Kitchen). Not writing too much about the event itself (it was really nice though), the food was simply spectacular and brilliant.

It's because Wojciech Amaro uses a "molecular kitchen" technique that, simply saying, means using the lab techniques and science in everyday life cooking. So, we have a lot of liquid nitrogen there, fantastic creamy coups in test tubes or spheric Apple raviolis.

More info on molecular gastronomy here:

But I will say no more, just that you should really try (I can't wait to do that and let you know about this) :)

Now, let th dishes say for themselves....

Polish style Duck

Unusual sturgeon

Foie gras

*pictures come from the media materials from the event
The book is aprox. 50 PLN (so I was told), so I think good price for students ;)

An Alternative Adventure...what inspires me

noreply@blogger.com (Marta Karaś) — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 16:52:00 +0000

A big adventure of mine - my new work in a public relations agency is one of those inspiring adventures I love to take upon every day!

My job is my passion and I am not afraid to admit that!

And here is little something I would like to share with you - something that inspires me and helps to be creative at work.

This is a link to a great campaign prepared by Click5 agency for he brand of juices Tymbark. This is really cool (sorry, only in Polish), as the campaign puts together several intriguing communication channels and engages participants the way that they interact with the brand and stay connected to the brand for a couple of months.

So, here is the link and hopefully - next time I will be able to show you something of my own ;)

So much going on in Warsaw!

noreply@blogger.com (Marta Karaś) — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 15:40:00 +0000

OK, I have to admit - I was a very bad girl for my blog! I totally abandoned it for no reason what so ever! Sure there was so much going on, but that's no excuse.

But, hey look what kind of fascinating adventures Mario and I experienced recently after moving in to Warsaw. Yes, we did that, for good living Manchester (Mario says "never say never", so for now I just assume it's for good).

It was good, all that living in Manchester, being a student and working in an English companies thing, but it was time for us to settle in in Warsaw. Sure, it does not mean we leave partying, discovering and enjoying ourselves behind. Truly, it just is a beginning of it!

So, to sum things up, the newest adventures include:

1. Moving in to Warsaw, obviously, which basically means totally new world for us. I thought it is just England that varies so much from one "-shire" to another. Seriously -it's the opposite! People here seemed to me to not only speak a different language (what's with ending every sentence with "yes"?......), but also they live fast here, extremely one could say.

In the Łazienki Park

But it's not like Warsaw is this scary place where a girl like I feels left alone and like a stranger. Get me right - i think anyone can find there place here! And what's more if you do love events, parties, meeting new people, musicals and all that "city lights" you simply should try Warsaw! It is so much going on here!

Feeding a peacock

Mario in front of the Royal Palace

Having fun with my friend, Sylwia

A visit to the Warsaw's ZOO

On the Chopin's music concert in Łazienki Park

2. Leaving Rzeszów - that's understandable with no further explanations needed. One could think that after living for two years in a different country, on your own in your very apartment, you would not be missing your own home-city. But again - it's nothing like that.

It is better when we are together...

with Mario's little nephew - Kamilek

I guess, it is amazing to be able, like us, to regularly come visit your dearest ones in a place where you have been bruoght up and where all the good memories are.

But there are new, fantastic memories waiting for us here, so I want to believe.

So, there soon will be more on an amazing adventures of the Crucian and her Beloved One...

Kisses from M&M

Hey, check out the side links for newest pics! ;) if you like to!

Spanish City Break by M&M - Seville in Andalucia

noreply@blogger.com (Marta Karaś) — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 16:13:00 +0000

As the days go by and inevitably the summer will finish soon, a good memory about the place visited few months ago seems so refreshing......this is how this post could start, but the truth is I sadly haven't put any notes here because so much was going on in my life lately: living the UK, going back to homeland - Poland but to a completely new life in Warsaw.... It's all part of a big journey that life is, isn't it? Here is to all of you guys who's life is like a huge exploration trip!

First of all notes about Andalusia's Seville - surely this is your choice if you are one of those cheeky monkeys that simply just can't sunbath on the beach during whole the holidays. This is for those, travellers, that are eager to turn your city break in Seville into a proper exploration excercise. The way we have chosen Seville as our next destination was asking yourself some simple questions:

- Do I want to lie on the beach or do some sight-seeing (or both)?
- Am I looking for a quiet place in the middle of nowhere or a vibrant and dynamic one?
- Do I want to explore a new territory or rather the country I know a bit already.

Now, obviously these are the basic ones, not including the prices, distance and the time you have for your exploration. But it worked out beautifully for us: we wanted a bit of sight-seeing and 'doing nothing', in a place that is vibrant and full of energy (like us) :) and because we love Spain (especially Southern part), the choice suddenly became simple.

A good idea in that case would be to find a nice, proper map of the city or a pocket directory, just like the one we had. It divides the city for you into 6 sections that you can easily choose and discover during your holidays in Seville.

Seville surprises with the beauty and richness of the architecture

Try to be lost in one of the tiniest streets

Seville is also about mixing the new with the old

Time for lunch! We found this lovely, typical Spanish tapas bar in the centre of the city. It was so different to other places - you can sit here on one of the stairs covered with 'azulas' typical Spanish mosaic

Mario and the Giralda, Seville's amazing tower situated by the Cathedral. It represents various styles and eras so if you are perceptive enough, you'll find them - Renaissance, Gothic,etc. - but also cultures and religions: Catholic, Islamic...

A Tower of Gold - Torre del Oro - where all the gold from the quests was beig kept. Now - just charming building overlooking the River Guadalquivir

Some of the Seville Expo 1992 are still here and can be viewed from the boat. They are now used for commercial purposes and that way the Spaniards prevent the Expo village from demaging. For me it still looked weird to be in the middle of this quiet village that seemed adbandoned

In Seville's full offer of bar, pubs, restaurants and tapas, we chose one place with a traditional Andalucian cuisine. It was loud, crowded but lovely and the wine with the fish (on my plate) and meat (on Mario's) tasted great.
There could be no Spain without football and for Mario it meant visiting Ramon Sanchez Pizujan Stadium in 'our' part of Seville. The trip was just a glance, comparing to for example Manchester United's Standium, but even from the outside (we could not get in because of some constructions going on), it looked fine.

Decorative mosaic in another great place in Seville - the Real Alcazar Palace. It is famous for its azulas all over the place and I ejoyed the most its open architecture with lots of open rooms, gardens and corridors.

Right in the middle of crime scene-this is where the fishes living in that water where fighting for pieces of bread (and sweets!) people were throwing at them. Shocking picture, really. Apart from that - nice place to relax by the water and enjoy the view on the royal gardens.

In the garden - playing hide and seek with Mario

On the Plaza de Espana

Mario and the mosaic Barcelona

M&M - Mario & Marta - us :)

try some local shells with sangria...hmmm heaven!

Seville is great for its bikes - simply hire one of them from the street stops and have a ride!

In the former Expo city - now some modern offices are located there

With the visit to the still-open bull ring

This is how corrida started - as a training activity for the military

The most famous toreador in the world - my Mario! :)

Bull ring from the outside

Flamenco - dynamic, filled with emotions

In the motion...

Charming And Not So Vey New...York

noreply@blogger.com (Marta Karaś) — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 16:44:00 +0000

On its official website, English York proudly titles itself one of the Europe's most inspiring cities. And as soon as you arrive there you get the idea why they claim that - the city is full of gorgeous places, both historic and modern, that co-exist here beautifully. What inspires you straight away is this rich culture, tradition and history that the city has to offer and all that set in a pictures scenery of this small, yet charming city.

Not a surprise that together with Mario, Agnieszka and Lukasz we decided we can't miss the chance to visit this place on one, warm and pleasant day.

M&M in stunning castle's ruins

Mario enjoying the view

These little fellows represent how friendly York is

York opens its rich Roman history in front of all visitors.
Here a short 'martial arts' workshop in the Romans village

The 'old times' are in every street of York

But York also cares about the future.
A group of people protesting against wars of our times

Mario patiently studying the history of York in the Castle Museum

Romans in da town!

Seriously?
Even the cars are not from our times :)

Aggi, Lukas and Mario after visiting the time machine

'Come on MPs, claim visit in this place back!'
Unusual promotional campaign by The York Dungeon
(very scary and exciting house - highly recommended!)

York Minster - a mixture of styles and witness of rich history of this town

York Castle

Mario on our boat trip
This is great way to visit York and unforgeable experience thanks to the boat captain who we voted best comedian in York ;)

You'll find plenty of these in York

Pubs, bars and cafes overseeing the river are very popular

Most of the town's industrial buildings, like this chocolate factory are now closed or have been transformed into modern apartments

Clifford's Tower - a proof of York's uneasy times

Aggi, Lukas, Marta on the top of the observatory tower

M&M's a bit exhausted after excited day in York

coffee and off we...go
back to Manchester

Whether you are a resident in England or are just coming by, visit York and you won't regret it!

I used this website to prepare for the trip: www.visityork.org

Business, Travel, Fun...What is Dubai all about?

noreply@blogger.com (Marta Karaś) — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 12:04:00 +0000

* First a note - not that nothing was going on since the Winter Madness in Sauze d'Oulx! (where my last post was), it's the opposite. So much was going on, including: crazy days at work, leaving the work, holidays and even more holidays and finally planning my big 'come back' to Poland. That's why this is the entry about my trip to Dubai which happened more less a month ago.

Before actually going to Dubai my knowledge about this city was close to zero - as probably most of us would do, I simply went through dozen of websites covering Dubai - from the city map to the list of best shopping spots. No surprise that not only I did not get clearer idea of it, I even got more confused!

I needed something else and this 'else' I needed appeared to be the experience -this is what you really need when coming here. In fact, all the trip to Dubai, including 7,5 hours flight from Manchester, which in my case, was the longest flight in my life so far! (Went through it very well, though as most of the time spent on watching newest films on the TV screen and checking on the flight progress thanks to the cameras attached to our aircraft).

Even arriving to Dubai gives you a lot of experience - from waiting in the quietest queue ever, made of people of all nationalities you can imagine, just to be informed you need to actually take a picture of your iris to complete the visa and finally having a taste of very-English-like tea.

This strikes me the most about Dubai - just feels like 'home' in so many cases (including this tea I mentioned), yet still is like nothing else you had chance to experience before. It makes me wonder about the true spirit and identity of this city - is it more European, Arabian or international? I was thinking still sipping my 'English-breakfast' tea.

a look on the city

High in the skies

'Dubai is all about business' - I quickly figured, having seen this massive towers 'growing' like they were trying to chase one another in the imaginary race to the skies. I got even more convinced about this when realized that in most of these towers the Big World Business is being done and that the hotels in Dubai are full of business tycoons similar to those we see every week in BBC's Apprentice programme.

In fact, I also came here for business - young, (not bold), but most certainly beautiful :) - I came there with my Team: Ged (the Boss), Nicki (great sales person) and Nadine (lovely PR Director). And our main aim was to establish new relationships while attending Arabian Travel Market 2009 exhibition. But there was more to come and we were just about to discover that...

Apprentice by Marta, Nadine, Nicki

Arabian Travel Market - Kuwait's impressive stand

'How could I be so wrong?' - the next thought came when the evening brought fun, excitement and lots of entertainment. This time I was certain - 'Dubai is all about having fun!' The city lights simply amazed me and, followed by stunning views from the city's one of the highest towers,gave Dubai totally different taste. Now the luxury, gold and posh parties were what Dubai had to offer. And sill it wasn't 'it'!

Tourism Unit - mission completed

with Nadine - almost like Abba

Lights' fountains

'Out of space' - Girls having fun with newely met Joao

Tourism Unit Ladies: me, Nicki, Nadine

Models we are!

with Nicki during one not-bad-at-all party :)

It must be great to be able to take your family for a week out in Dubai! The city has really lots in store for literally everyone. The Altantis on the Palm Jumeraih is one of these atractions and you can't simply miss it on your trip to Dubai! I loved the water park - the massive, breath-taking slides, the giantic aqarium and he lovely sun! And I was then sure - Dubai is a centre of excitement in the United Arab Emirates...and probably further then that!

Amazed in Dubai's Aquarium

Hotel Atlantis
the view from the Aqua Park

Sliiiiiides in Atlantis

And then, when you think you really know what this golden city is about, it strikes you again with yet another side you haven't though it has. For me that was the lovely, romantic even and certainly very apealing side of...gastronomy. This came in a form of little cafes, restaurants and bars. 'Duabi couldn't go to the world, because it is so far, so the world came to Dubai' - I thought when Ged and I arrived to Souk Marinat for the supper.

The night was charming and the food very tasty and now I just hope my Mario would understand it trully was only nice supper with my boss :) Anyways, Dubai is also famous for its great food coming from all the parts of the world...funny enough I could not find Polish food anywhere, but I am sure - any minute now it will be there! :)

Shiny Souk Marinat in Jumeraih

with Ged (The Boss) having an international supper

Deep night in Dubai

Sad that my short trip to Dubai was coming to an end, I decided to go on one of my individual adventures and this was the very moment I think I finally realized what Dubai is all about. I guess for me it means a creative, but not necessarily easy to understand as a bigger picture mixture of styles, tastes and people...

Dubai showed me its glamorous side with things like partying on the 32 floor in a private suite of one of the posh hotels, it amazed me with its unusuall, bizzare structures and buildings, it made me feel cared for with its great hospitality.

But it also made me thinking - 'How, on earth, city like that is real?' How can the people live in the place where the temperature outside is unbearable (around 45 degrees when I was there), there are no pavements and the taxi drivers know the city worse than you ,who are there for the first time in your like? How is possible a city where you can't see any kid or woman walking alone, the buildings are so high you can see their tops and (what is actually really great) there is literally no crimes and poor people?

Find what Dubai means for you and let me know what you think!
Cheers!

Burj Al Arab Hotel
the signature sign of Dubai

Winter White Madness in Sauze d'Oulx - One Unique Holiday

noreply@blogger.com (Marta Karaś) — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 13:38:00 +0000

Now when the winter is finally over (at least this is what I hope for), it is finally a good time to review some of the most precious moments from Winter.

In this whole global warming, the worst thing that could happen to the winter sports' amateur is that there is no snow (God forbid!). Luckily, there are still places in the world, where you can enjoy pure beauty of mountain tops covered in snow. One of these oasis of winter is, as beauty as its name sounds, Sauze d'Oulx located around 1,5h last of ride North from Turin.

Finding my way through the slopes' map

Based at the end of the renowned Via Lattea (Milky Way), "Sauze" seemed like a winter heaven on the earth when we first hit the city in March this year. Just few hours of the trip by plane and bus was really worth the effort.

Stunning view!

7 of us, good friends, adventure eagers and skiing/snowboarding hungry passionates started our week of winter madness in a beautiful Assieta Hotel with a bit of.....sleep. Don't be surprised - before their championships, even the sportsmen do build their energy efforts.

Playing with the snow flakes

The next days were filled with all the 'white madness' one can possibly imagine done within some of the Sauze's 400 km of pistes. First shy and cautious moves were soon replaced with more proffessional and free-style ones (no-one injured though).

Feeling the respect to the mountain

Personally, I have experienced one of the most stunning views one can possibly imagine in their live. These mountains covered in snow and touched by the Sun rays do really take the breath away and leave you feeling priviliged to be able to discover them on your own.

Not a surprise, then that Sauze d'Oulx is so eagerly visited by whole families and groups of friends - the pises are mostly intermediate and easy for the first-timers, so proudly I can say that we all managed to overcome the initial 'fear' and some of us have even did the Olympic experience.

Now, you need to know that for an unexperienced skier, like myself, skiing straight from 2800 m high mountain from a steep like a wall slope, it really is much of an achievement and personall success. Try it yourself! Unforgetable experience!

Happy Three Friends - Lukas, Tung and Mario

Bum boarding

M&M and the Santa's Rudolph

We aslo soon discovered, Sauze d'Oulx is a mecca for thse who equally enjoy treats for their belly - restaurants here offer really tasty, Italian pastas and other dishes and, at least us, could not resist it (the results of that we now try to treat with some excercising and not-eating-bread) :-)

Night life won't let you down either - local pubs not only have great selection of music, food and drinks, but also have great English-alike spirit...so we felt really like sitting in one of the Manchester's night pubs (with only difference that the next day we had 5 min to the nearest slope instead of few thousand kilometers).

Łukasz makes his moves

Overall - great fun and highly recommended place for whole the families, but also 'young and beautiful' ones (like us).

This is how one should enjoy one of the last remaining winters in this global warming world!

Avalanche of Success for SIFE SALFORD Team (press release)

noreply@blogger.com (Marta Karaś) — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 16:42:00 +0000

In these winter, snowy days I can't help myself from giving my press release a nice title related to the weather outside my window.

I am really proud of SIFE SALFORD - my favourite student organisation! That's why I am sharing this press release with you.
Enjoy!

AVALANCHE OF SUCCESS FOR SIFE SALFORD TEAM

University of Salford Proves to Have Outstanding Entrepreneurial Students

Salford, February 2009

A sum of £400 from Enterprise-Rent-A-Car and $400 worth of grant from HSBC for community projects, plus a proud 1st place in the regional business competition, Flux500, organised by Manchester Metropolitan University came as an avalanche of success for The University of Salford’s SIFE SALFORD team (Student in Free Enterprise), proving that the University has truly outstanding entrepreneurial students. Over the last two months SIFE SALFORD team has been recognized for its achievements in the field of business by some of the most well know companies in the country.

“The recent amazing achievements of our SIFE SALFORD team prove that our hard work, passion and excellent team work is really working for us”, said Mariusz Andreasik, Vice President of SIFE SALFORD. “We are convinced that thanks to these recognitions we will be able to really make a difference to our community – and this is our main goal as a Salford-based team”.

The most recent achievement is a win in the student business competition, Flux500, over 8 teams from such established universities like: Manchester Metropolitan University, The University of Liverpool or University of Cumbria. SIFE SALFORD team was working there to solve a business problem using their knowledge, experience and creativity and presented their idea of developing an online-based golf booking business to the panel of judges.

Thomas Hurst, SIFE SALFORD’s President on that success: “We could not be more happier - as a new team working effectively only from this academic year we proved ourselves to be not only very good students but also a great team working together in a business and having a great fun as a bunch of friends.”

But University of Salford’s team successes do not stop there. A £400 accolade from Enterprise Rent-A-Car to the Business Ethics project means that targeted local entrepreneurs and businesses will be educated on the issues of copyright protection. Students are aiming to promote and support the open source and freeware software, as alternatives to expensive ones, that small local business cannot afford. “We are convinced that we are able to help businesses to develop themselves and this grant is really important to us to start running with the project”, explained Andreasik.

Entrepreneurial students from SIFE SALFORD will also compete with other universities for further £500 award and a trophy which will be awarded to the successful team at the SIFE UK National Competition in April this year, once the project outcomes are evaluated by the panel of judges.

On top of these successes comes an award of $400 from HSBC Bank dedicated to the Financial Literacy Project of SIFE SALFORD. This new project will change some of the 200 young people’s from 3 target groups ''spending'' culture to a ''savings'' culture and will help them become more innovative, prudent and knowledgeable in their handling of money and their finances. The programs within the project aim to be fun and entertaining, not boring and lecture-alike. Salford students will transfer the knowledge through lots of games and interactive materials: videos, books, nursery rhymes, to name but a few.

“We really can see this project making a big difference in these kids’ lives; our students will provide them with real life knowledge and understanding of the finance world which will help them in their whole future life - not only in business world, but also with their personal spending and saving decisions” – explained Hurst.

Entrepreneurial students from the University of Salford already keep on working on the future successes – they are now sharpening their presentation skills for the SIFE UK Regional Competition that will take place from the 16th to 27th of March this year and believe to make their way through to the National Competition in April 2009.

– Ends –

Match Made in Heaven - Story (Not) From The Above

noreply@blogger.com (Marta Karaś) — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 09:03:00 +0000

The really good trips and adventures we have start at the airports. They are amazing places and I am sure you will agree with that....

I recently left a company, RDG Solutions and moved to Routes - the thing that links these two is the aviation industry and passion to if of people I work with.

Also recently, I wrote an article on airports' non-aeronautical (commercial) revenues. My previous boss, Ian encouraged me to do it and so now I present it to you.

Let me know what you think and ...enjoy flying with us ;)

* * * * *

Having in place the passengers’ sophisticated needs and the most luxurious brands in the world, leading airports are pushing aside from the skies the storm-clouds of the industry’s downturn.

In the volatile times it is the global retailing business that seems to suffer the most from shrinking consumers’ spending. On the other hand, airport retailing performs surprisingly well, with global airport retail sales expected to grow to £15bn this year, up 11% from £13.5bn in 2007, according to Verdict Research, the leading authority on retailing markets. Also in the UK’s back-yard the trails of destruction are not so significant, with the world’s major operator and airport retailer – BAA - providing over 1 million square meters of commercial accommodation for more than 900 retail organisations and an impressive portfolio valued at £2 billion. BAA has recently expanded its capacity by adding 87 new shops and 25 catering outlets in Heathrow’s T5, as Mintel Report states.

In the difficult times, where the security is being tightened to the extreme, a specific environment has been created, surprisingly enabling airports to derive from the current situation. It is now or never for many airports to use this chance to maintain current position or to guarantee themselves future prosperity and sustainable business model.

Today, airport retailing is not an appendix to the main aeronautical activity anymore, but represents a true masterpiece of its own kind. Looking only at some of the leading European gateways – Charles de Gaulle, Amsterdam Schiphol or Copenhagen to mention but a few, it is hard not to be left with an impression that retailing in the airports’ version is a truly lucrative source of revenue for both airports and the retail operators. Those are expected to benefit from the commercial activity both today and in the future. Airports, therefore, need to start act as a high-street retailers and, as customers as becoming more affluent, sophisticated and realize how easily they can shop-around, they also need to be even cleverer than their industry peers.

However, there is a major obstacle in airports’ march to success in retailing. Today’s outlets are coupled with all sorts of goods from accessories, luxury clothes, to ‘first-need’ products. Those come ‘wrapped’ in an unique experience: general ambience, staff’s extreme attention and care of the customer, and details like merchandising and seasonal promotions. These are the trends that guarantee the competitive advantage to those who are able to implement them well.

On the other hand, for airports involved in retailing the uncertainty exists in almost every part of their business model, whether it is volatile customers (passengers) traffic, logistical difficulties, such as transportation and scanning procedures, or high operational costs. Retailing spaces being relatively smaller, than the high-street equivalents, and the hassle in hiring and equipping the staff with passes are also of a high importance.

Global airport retail leaders derive, however, from something that high-street retailers do not have – the ability to play on one of the most important factors in customers’ decision process – the sense of place and time. Lounges filled with a combination of longer dwell times, due to the security issues and boredom, while before the flight, play significant role in developing retail offer.

Leading airports understand that retail business is about the creation of unique passenger experiences and adding the value. It is also about understanding the customers’ profiles and the way that they are determined by the types of airlines and the routes they serve.

Dubai International Airport’s Duty Free, that is celebrating its Silver Jubilee this year, is surely one of the top examples of how the gateways should adjust their retailing strategy to match customers’ expectations. Operating more than 86,000 square feet retail space in T3, Dubai Airport have identified its target audience being a Fist and Business class passengers and successfully located the luxury zone on their routes; and it is all about the shopping environment there. While co-operating with specialist design company, Retail Concept Design (RCD), the Airport has created a strong sense of place in the Dubai Duty Free with its luxurious, open-space shops aiming to charm passengers with golden ornaments and the overall splendour.

Another example of deep understanding of the current trends is Copenhagen (CPH) gateway. The Airport expands and enhances its retail capacity to reflect the need of high-street offer. The store’s environment with high ceilings and stylish designs, as well as selection of top brands, like Gucci, Ralph Lauren, Versace and local companies, including J. Lindeberg or Sand, all together aim to create a sense of uniqueness to attract more affluent passengers. In fact, CPH reflects another trend in retailing - a demand for services and products grouped under the ‘well-being’ umbrella. Hence, the zones are created like the Optical Studio for passengers to check their vision and buy tailored branded glasses in just 15 minutes.

Since airports adopted the passenger’s personal experience model, the ‘details’ such as the

Personal Shopper or designated Men’s Lounge with luxury products and treatments just for men passengers, both offered by Charles de Gaulle Airport, act only as a cherry on this cake.
Clearly, today’s global airports not only appreciated their retailing activity, but are making a piece of art from it. The ideas here seems to be endless - a high-street offer, personal experience or literally following customers wherever they go, as Amsterdam Schiphol aims to do with its ‘Retail on Wheels’ mini-shops, last-minute arrival shopping stop in ‘Vizzit’ or advanced online shopping facilities.

The good news is for those who are still at the very end of this creative list that, looking at the current trends, it seems like there is a still a chance to make the first step to create this longed-for match made in heaven between airports and retailing business.

SIFE Salford in Student Direct

noreply@blogger.com (Marta Karaś) — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 18:19:00 +0000

SIFE Salford Scoops £200 for Charity Project - Press Release

noreply@blogger.com (Marta Karaś) — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 21:11:00 +0000

The very best journeys of ours are always the ones that are a challenge and adventure at the same time!

SIFE Salford, a great student organisation for youg entrepreneurs, creates that kind of challenging and thrilling environment where young business leaders can grow.

I am proud to be a part of this organisation and would like to share with you our latest success!

Read, enjoy and come along to visit us @Salford University in Manchester!

* * * * * * * * *
Press Release
* * * * * * * * *

SIFE SALFORD SCOOPS £200 FOR CHARITY PROJECT
Wilkinson Grant Accolade for Entrepreneurial Students

Salford, December 2009

SIFE Salford (Student in Free Enterprise), the new society for entrepreneurial students of the University of Salford, has been awarded a £200 worth grant in the Wilkinson Entrepreneurship Individual Topic Competition. SIFE Salford’s young entrepreneurs’ team will destine the money towards developing the Salford’s St. Sebastian Community Centre.

The Wilkinson Hardware Stores rewarded SIFE Salford for the best fulfillment of the SIFE international criteria – creating the economic opportunity by helping others to succeed as an entrepreneur and improve an existing business.

“We are delighted that we have been awarded the Wilkinson grant, it is great news for our young team and we did not expect that award,” said Mariusz Andreasik, Vice President of SIFE Salford and Project Leader. “We are a true mixture of students representing 19 countries and over 20 different courses, but we all live here in Salford and we want to give something back from us to the local community. The money we now have will be used to develop and implement a marketing strategy for Cafe Green owned by the St. Sebastian Community Centre.”

On top of this award, the SIFE Salford team has also a chance to win further £500 and a trophy to be presented during the SIFE UK National Competition in April this year. In order to do it, students will have to prepare a report demonstrating the results achieved thanks to their community project.

SIFE Salford’s Communication Director, Lukasz Szczekala on team’s further plans: “The year 2009 is going to be a very challenging year for the society, because our team is still growing with new members and we are involved in several projects, both charity ones, as well as related to economic and teaching financial literacy”.

Along with the cooperation with the local community, the society sets its aim for this year to improve the skills of its members in order to increase their employability. To achieve that, various workshops and seminars will be organized and will cover broad business and entrepreneurial subjects.

* * * Ends * * *

Marta Karaś Marketing & PR Adviser

For further press information please contact:

SIFE Salford V-ce President and Project Leader, Mariusz Andreasik
SIFE Salford
Enterprise Zone
University of Salford
Salford
Lancashire M54WT UK
E-mail: mandreasik2@gmail.com
Tel.: +44 (0)161 295 3000
www.sifesalford.org

Studies Abroad, in England - an Article

noreply@blogger.com (Marta Karaś) — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 14:54:00 +0000

The expedition for people with passion...
means studies abroad for adventures’ eagers

Do you think you are one of those talented people ready to do everything? Are you convinced you possess the right organisational and language skills? And most importantly – are you ready for the challenges, adventure in the multinational group of people and living in new, not known country? If this sounds to you like an invitation for an expedition, then it’s great, because this is, in short version, what your studies in the UK will be like.

To go or not to go? That is the question!

If you have ever wondered how it could be to study abroad, then you most likely know how difficult it is to make the final decision. The fear from new, not known territory, the care of your dearest ones and yours if you going to make it, those desperate calculations in a hope you will have enough money for everything, and sometimes even a sound of resignation in your voice after analyzing all ‘pros’ and ‘cons’.

In a few days, only few days you will take your bag and guitar…

The organization is the key, so in deciding all the doubts you will find useful to get to know all the facts related to the preparation of your big expedition. One of those are the costs of studying and living in the UK. In terms of the first ones, you are in a quite privileged position, as the British government is quite keen on giving the loans (also these non-refundable) to students who wish to start studies in the country of tea and ‘fish ‘n ‘chips’. The costs of studies start from around 3000 pounds per year (it’s best to check out the exact sums on the University’s website pages), but with a little help from Her Majesty, The Queen government, you will have them easily covered: easy-peasy. The other thing you need to consider is where, on Earth, you will be living, my dear student. The costs of student accommodation or renting the apartment are unpredictable like the amount of rain in England this time of year – from moderate to astronomical. It’s always good to check them out by googling keywords like: ‘rent apartment Manchester’.

Now is the right time to make the decision regarding form of your studies. Surely, you now now wthat interests you the most. English universities are bursting at the seams from the variety of options to choose from. You can even study such specific subject like ‘artificial intelligence’, ‘astrophysics’ or ‘dental surgery’. Also the number of study’s forms are endless: from the traditional path, where you start your studies straight after receiving your maturity diploma (‘Matura’ - final exam after high school, similar to GCSE) and various exchange programs to the option called ‘tuition fee, two diplomas’, where you can study in England and continue your Polish studies at the same time (and you will be awarded for your hard work by receiving two high education diplomas).

Let’s assume now you have everything ‘signed and sealed’ – necessary information: collected, documents for studies: submitted, accommodation: sorted, the flight: booked and all your belongings that will help you reminding of your home: already packed. Like with every expedition to the unknown places, same here, there will be lots of surprises and unexpected situations. But this is the essence of travelling abroad – the ability to discover new things. And you are just about to realized that yourself!

England? Great Britain? United Kingdom?

In the eyes of a student, England is very specific and unique country; it differs considerably from that one known from tourism guides or that one from stories of your friends who had gone there on, so called ‘saksy’ (popular term used to describe additional, holiday or part time job usually undertaken by young people). England in the yeas of a student is much more colourful and multinational with multi languages. Even its name causes problems. Well-trained trip guide, pure English (British?) guy, like the one I had, will explain it to you at the beginning of your expedition that England means something different for everyone. Hence, the confusion with its names (not to mention the geographical and bureaucratic issues, I might add).

One thing you can be sure, though – the university you will be attending will be, without any doubt, a real multicultural place (written with a capital letter M). There is no place for racism, prejudice, or lack of tolerance. It’s like a trip to a completely New World. Every single day you will spend in the international company, within people just like you; everyone is unbelievably nice and keen on having new friends. Just think about it – these friendships could last for life and be full of memories!

Hey, ho steer boldly!

Studies, on the other hand, are the time of real science. Quickly you will find out what that actually means – for me it is like being in a stat flux of discovering new islands of real knowledge in the ocean of meaningless information. But for you, it could mean something completely different! Also, as every grave traveler, you will also realize that reaching out for books is something natural, every day activity. Like maps serve for the true adventurer, same the books will serve for you as a guide and they will be guiding you across new lands and waters of knowledge. It might sound trivial but from my experience I know, books usually do not disturb
Polish students in their studies.

In England studies are considered a time of finding your own answers and developing opinions and judgments. That is why they are really focused on the individual activity of each student and on a preparation of individual assignments (essays, reports and projects). Here you are a master and commander of your ship (of course being under an alert eye of your first officer – your tutor). Of course, it requires more engagement from you, but just imagine that actually first time in your life you can finally be market for YOUR opinions and ideas, not measured by the amount of material you managed to mug up during the night. Sounds good, doesn’t it?

Apart from the traditional classes, you will also have the chance to participate in one of the countless number of student organizations. For example The University of Salford (Manchester) gives you the opportunity to develop your entrepreneurial and business interests. Organizations, such as Student Entrepreneurs Network or Student In Free Enterprise (SIFE) are the best places to be active in you passion and enhance skills needed so much when entering the job market.

The life has different taste there!

But there is so much more to do than studying in England. Living there, you will suddenly get to pubs and bars’ heaven. Just as an example, Manchester, in its centre only has over 500 pubs and bars (!) and all of them vivid, energetic, full of students, youngsters and employees who work in the city and who strive to find some ‘peace’ and something different then office routine. It’s almost like getting to some village full of autochthons, where a special event or ceremony takes place – this is the right way to get to know the local culture, customs, language and culinary specialties.

Studies abroad, in England cannot be and never are boring. Those, who know that sometimes stay here to continue their education, start an internship (in my case) or a career (as previously). Everyone will find something interesting here. The most important thing, above all, is however, that you, my ear student. will discover yourself – will get to know something more about life, the world and you will become more reliable, responsible, persistent and aware of your own strengths person.

That will be an unforgettable adventure, so steer boldly and let the propitious winds blow in your sail!

An Expedition for People with Passion - Studies in Foreign Country for Adventures' Eagers

noreply@blogger.com (Marta Karaś) — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 10:25:00 +0000

With an unlimited access to the Internet, expressing your thoughts and ideas comes easily.

The main problem is - whether someone will actually be reading what you have to say...

My Polish university has prepared special portal, Studentcafe.pl for students who are just like that - love to read stories, as well as write their own ones. This is a true forum, where we, young people,c an exchange our ideas and discuss important subjects.

My recent article aiming to encourage active students to start their adventure with studies in foreing country (England to be fair) is also there!!! (now only in Polish, but soon I'll put here English translation).

Enjoy reading it and let me know what you think of it!
Thanks,
Marta

Rzeszów - City in Plus

noreply@blogger.com (Marta Karaś) — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 18:12:00 +0000

There is no place like home! We tend to say and there surely is something in this statement... if not only for the families, friends or our jobs, we like to come back to our home cities because they're familiar to us and seem so close in a way.

It seems all the buildings, streets and places we've been to in our cities make us feel safe and secure. This is the case with my city - Rzeszów - as well. This south-eastern city in Poland may not be the biggest and most popular metropolis, but it surely is a nice place to visit, especially this time of year.

Rzeszów - coat of arms

Time has stops here during the day, within those narrow streets of the old city centre (Starówka) and vibrates in the night with the thousand of students studying here, who go to the local pubs and bars.

Rzeszów has recently accepted its new promotion strategy - Rzeszów - City in Plus (miasto in plus) and the debate started whether it really is a city in plus. Personally, I found it positive place to visit and I wish I there was also more reasons jobwise to stay longer...

Anyway, visit this beautiful city virtually with me ....above there are some pictures to do so.
Enjoy and please, let me know what you think of them :)

Town Hall (Ratusz) from the side...

...and from the front

the Market Square where everyone meets

Rzeszów welcomes you

traditional buildings

former Lubomirski Family residency

Rzeszów castle - now the headquarters of the court

romantic alee

Rzeszów Philharmonic

All pictures by Mariusz Mario Andreasik: www.mandreasik.pl

Skiing in Polish Mountains

noreply@blogger.com (Marta Karaś) — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 09:41:00 +0000

I love winter! Like most of my friends, who live in Poland, we appreciate the most when it's snowy and white. And this is how it was this time during Christmas and just after it.

You don't need to ask us twice - Mario and I were born ready to skiing ;)

Together with our fantastic friends, we spent a lovely day at Laworta in Ustrzyki Dolne (Bieszczady mountains) in the South of Poland.

Here are some snapshots from this great trip.

M&M in a snowy land

four flat mates from Manchester: Łukasz, Mario, Marta, Aga

Men's team

Freaky Misiek showing off on his snowboard :)

stretching in groups

me with Mario's Dad

Also M&M: Mario and Makum

artistic skiing in pairs

like from some kind of fairly tale...

relaxing in the bar

It was a special day tanks to: Mario, his Dad, Łukasz, Aga, Makum, Misiek and Ewa
:*

Dreaming of a White Christmas in Poland...

noreply@blogger.com (Marta Karaś) — Sun, 28 Dec 2008 17:05:00 +0000

For lots of us this time of year is special...not surprisingly, one may say: there is plenty of free time you can spend visiting your family, on fantastic sales in shops or just at home watching TV.

Yes, we all love Christmas, or should I say, Xmas time...

But here, in Poland this time of year means a true waiting for the baby Jesus to come to this world. Christmas gives us hope and joy and is a time of coming together...

Unique traditions and lots of symbolism are also here for people make this time even more special. Show me any other country like Poland that has more colorful traditions connected with Christmas.

Boże Narodzenie in Polish means literally 'a Birthday of the God' and this name of the festive time managed to stay unchanged for years. Just imagine how special and important this name is - here you don't celebrate some commercialized and enigmatic 'Xmas', rather you are happy because the God has come to our poor world to make it better place...Beautiful and joyous, isn't it?

bulbs - a must-be item on every Christmas tree

Here are some pictures from this year's celebration we had in Karaś Family in Poland. As most of Poles, we try to keep as much of the traditions as possible. And, you need to know, there are millions o them. Just imagine over 500 kept and regularly singing Christmas Carols or 12 traditional dishes served during Christmas Eve (24th December)...

a scene from Bethlehem
this one is hand-made version made by our friend

special night needs special setting - our Christmas table ready for 12 dishes

some hay and the wafer - Opłatek - traditions you'll find only in Poland

By sharing and breaking the wafer, we wish each other all the best and luck and we express hope that all the dreams for the New Year will come true. Everyone who comes to Poland during Christmas finds this tradition the most amazing and worth-copying in their home countries. For me it is a small gesture that means a world to my family!

Polish Christmas Tree - gold symbolizes wealth and red - love and joy

one of the twelve dishes we serve are Uszka - dumplings with mashrooms
always home-made on the Christmas Eve day

new tradition in my family - Mom is reading her own rhymed wishes
she prepared for the whole family

eating those 12 dishes takes time...

Santa (Święty Mikołaj) has also visited our house

happy like kids from their presents: Marta and Krzysiek

Mom with her present

Bonjour! ...Romantic Weekend Break in Nantes, France

noreply@blogger.com (Marta Karaś) — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 22:07:00 +0000

There is a lot to say about France...and, no - I won't be bothering you with some of mine "fantastic stories" of this country. Here is to say chapeau bas! to one of France's beautiful city - Nantes.

If you are, as we were, planning to visit this vivid city, here are some insights for you with a very best wishes from M&M (Marta Karaś and Mariusz Andreasik) with a small request - please, send our greetings to Nantes ;)

Mario with his beloved croissant

As Mariusz (Mario) is always surprsing me with a sudden trip to a place we have never been before, this time wasn't odd. How easy is that? - just buy tickets online, reserve a hotel with a small help of Lonely Planet website and off you go!

A must-have item in Nantes!

For us it was a wonderful, romantic trip full of walking and sight-seeing. This city is definiately worth it, because of its historic buildings, small narrow streets full of bars, creperies, to mention but a few.

Autumn in Nantes is so lovely!

If ou are an amateur of admiring the city while using your own feet instead of public transport, there is a tip for you - find a hostel in the city centre...and here is a nice surprise - it's not so expensive. Drop me an email if you need more details ;)

Here is how we spent that intense, but very enjoyable weekend:

Day 1 (Saturday)
A nice little show of a (student) band playing wind-instruments in the Place Royal has definiately a power to turn you from being a tourist to feel familiarly in Nantes...

Every way good to make money - but those guys where amazing!

Nantes has welcomed us with some its most beautiful monuments. Passage Pommeraye packed with fantastic local shops, as well a the Theatre Grasil, on the other hand, help you to discover the rich history of this eautiful city.

in the Passage Pommeraye shopping is a pure luxury

But there was no chnage we could only stick to the uildings and monuments. As France is famous for its fantastic uniques cuisine, we simply needed to try some of those specialities. Local chocolateries are there for you to choose from tousands of types of French finest chocolate and galletas (biscuits and cookies).

Please, leave me there! ;)

Bulangeries and patiseries, on the other hand, offer great, warm and fresh bread and famous croissants. Mmmmm, if I could choose where I want to spend my day, I have tousands of ideas but would definiately start it in France, where the best baguettes and breads are!

Day 2 (Sunday)
Mario and I went for a lovely walk along the streets of Nantes and had a chance to get to know its long history.

Not bad at all - The Theatre

The best place to do it is to visit the famous Castle of the Dukes of Brittany, which is just in the city centre and then to discover a monumental St. Pierre's Cathedral of Nantes, that has been built for 'only' 400 years!

reminds me of Paris...

Perfection in every detail...after 400 years

Mario in a search of Autumn's remarks...

...he is in it but not alone...

bad girl!

Our exploration of Nantes has lead us to the old factory of LU biscuits, that has now being redesigned as a luxury bars, restaurants and SPA destination.

Mario and LU Tower - no cookies - sorry, folks!

The next stop was a house-museum o Jules Verne,a famous writer of many scince-ficton books. A long walk to get to the museum has payed off - the place gives you a bit of Verne's story of life and an overview of his creative activity in a light, easy-to-consume way.

Day 3 (Monday)
Since the famous Museum of Machines was closed - 'surprise, surprise' - on Monday ;) we only had a quick view on the massive Elephant, that 'lives' on the Island of Nantes. It's really enourmous and what's better - you can have a nice ride on it... just don't do the same mistake we did and do check the opening hours and dates :)

which one is the mechanic one? ;)

me in a circle of life

tell me, what you see?

Since my beloved football fan, Mario wanted to discover the stadium of FC Nantes, we also went there (just 14 stops by tram) ;) Then, the visit to the local Jardin du Plantes, became a 'cherry on this cake' we were having that day.

one big football fan and one small stadium

Go, FC Nantes!

peaceful in the park

M&M in the Jardin Botanico

hello!

***
Overall, that way fantastic idea to leave Manchester for a weekend and explore this friendly city with fantastic monumnets, building and restaurants! Higly recommended for a weekend break awy the city.

us... :)

Pictures from series: who's food is it anyway? ;)

in the Taverne du Chateau: finger-licking duck!

hell of a crepes with an oranges

in famous La Cigal where you are pampered by the food and the interiors

mozaic ceilling and walls in La Cigal

mmm...pure joy

Stuffed - in the Amour du Pomme du Terre (Love to the Potato)

The District is Ours! - Few Remarks About Visiting Poland

noreply@blogger.com (Marta Karaś) — Sat, 18 Oct 2008 17:39:00 +0000

'The District is Ours!' informed a text somebody geneorously wrote on a road sign somewhere between Kraków (Cracov) and Rzeszów - my home city.

And the district was trully ours...ours because I wasn't traveling home alone that time. Poland has always surprised me - even though I am living there for 24 years now - all my life really - it can make you completely shocked and amazed. Sometimes good, sometimes bad, but one can always be surprised here. And this is, what I think, make this country so worth comming back (visiting for the first time) all over again.

This is how it was this time, when I visited my country in October. One, accidentally met lady in an economic class of one of the cheap airlines, amazingly happened to tell me most of her private life, only for me to make a company to her in that brutal procedure of getting off and landing. It is amazing, I need to admit, how in moments of anxiety, and uncertainity Poles can really come together and help each other. I dare to say that we are in this even better than proud Americans or brave English.

Trully we can also make a new mates faster than anyone in this world! - after only 1 hour of waiting for my flight, during it and ater I met 4 fantastic people - all of them different from one another, every single one great and kind personality.

As a cup of coffee really tastes better while drinking in a company, I was being invited to have one with a young, skinny and tall gentleman, who happened to be in a British Army (curently, though, visiting his sister in Spain). This guy amazed me by his charisma and braveness. He really enjoyed thinking of war in Afganistan and his soon mission in this country! True respect to you, my friend.
But, since fear is just one of the human's items, he admited to me in a moment of openess, that he is a little scared to go there. 'Be brave! You're going to be fine' - I told him waving goodbye.

You heared about the lady in the plane I met - one lovely, but scared lady from Tarnobrzeg in the South-East of Poland. Through her, I met another two people - brother and sister who invited all of us to take a trip to our cities together....

And here is where the story about the district comes back - as we drove to Rzeszów, Tarnobrzeg and Biłgoraj, we made ourselves friends and realised that Poland trully is a nice and small place if we happened to have some of the same friends and even worked in the same place!

Poland once again has amazed me and you know what? - there really is no place like home!

Enjoy viiting my country :)
photo by: M. Sulka from photo.net

The Never-Ending Adventure of Dancing Polish Dances

noreply@blogger.com (Marta Karaś) — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 17:21:00 +0000

11 October 2008, Debica, Poland - a fantastic, colorful event is going to happen - 30th Anniversary Concert of Igloopolanie - Polish Folklore Ensemble. For some ,this is the time to appreciate Polish tradition and culture, for me it's the time when in the flashes of lights, I'll be standing at the backstage with my fellow colleagues from Igloopolanie and, almot eating my nails, I will be waiting for the very moment, where the first sounds of Mazur from Straszny Dwor Opera will flow....

30th Anniversary of Igloopolanie

There are various different adventures in one's life - either we explore the world of knowledge and academics, traveling , career or millions of others... for me dancing has always been as will always be a never-ending adventure....

These are the national and regional typical Polish dances that have possessed my heart so badly, that even a thought of possible leaving them, makes me want to cry. What is, then so magical about Polish folklore dances? Overwhelming, passionate and rhythmic music?, the variety of either delicate, nearly-walking or dynamic and bouncy steps? or are they the costumes full of colour, lively and brightfull?

You can't really say - it's every of those elements partly and as a whole. Once you see it, you'll love straight ahead....

Just to mention our Polish national dances: Kujawiak, Oberek, Mazur, Krakowiak, Polonez...they are so different, unpredictable and unique, yet in their centre there is Polish tradition, harmonious moves and figures all wrapped in a heart-lifting music you cannot forget.

Click here to watch video with Kujawiak and Oberek

Resovia Saltans and Igloopolanie try to cultivate those beautiful traditions and I was blessed to be a dancer of both ensembles for long time. They will teach you how to dance there - that is for sure! But you cannot find anywhere is the atmosphere of friendship, unforgetable concerts and tournees and the passion those people - young dancers - have for dancing.

My love to Polish national and regional will never end - that's definite!
Have you ever had a passion strong like that?

For more information on Igloopolanie and Resovia Saltans please click here:

If you are in Poland on 11 October, maybe in Krakow (Cracov) or somewhere down South East of Poland, visit us during the event! You are most welcome!

Marsden - Because Hiking Comprises Fun and Excercising...

noreply@blogger.com (Marta Karaś) — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 18:42:00 +0000

Lately, we hear so much about the importance of having healthy living, about being fit and have a bit of exercise every day. On the other hand, one needs a bit of fun and relaxation.

Don't you think that those two can be easily mixed? Well, we did, and hiking in Marsden appeared to be the best way to do it - to find peace and have some fitness as well.

Mario in the train

Lukas and me

M&M on a hill

so peaceful and quiet...

me with mountain flowers

like from a fairy tale

Aga and Lukas

us :*

someone loved mountains...

with Aga - Supergirls fighting with the wind

Cracovian accent from Poland

coming back down the hills...crossing the stream

Closer To the Nature in Heaton Park

noreply@blogger.com (Marta Karaś) — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 15:29:00 +0000

When the days are inevitably becoming shorter and when you can feel this typical, cold puff of wind on your back, then you know that the Summer is almost finished and it's time to welcome Autumn...

...well, at least it is like that in Poland, where still, even though the meteorologists are talking about the global warming, there is a visible difference between seasons. Seems to me, that one can get the basic idea of the English seasons. So, take mentioned Summer, for instance - this year's 'sunny days' were rather cloudy and cold; some even claim Summer wasn't so ad here for some 80 years!

To make it even more clear, I need to say that my friend Paul from Liverpool claims, he had never seen so much rain in England like that we have now...Lucky him, I'd say, cause I had never seen so much rain in my entire life!!!

Anyhow, what bewitches the most in the Nature in North West of England is its diversity and amazing closeness to the main cities. That's why, not bothered by the 'worst sunny days ever in England', we decided to discover the claimed beauty of some of the closest to Manchester Nature's Reserves - The Heaton Park.

Łukasz, Sylwia, Karolina, Mario

Gorgeous it was, indeed!

If you're still wondering where to spend some of those trully sunny days that left before the autumn in England, visit Heaton Park, where the Nature is closer to you than you would expect living in the North West of England!

Take a look!

M&M waiting for the tram

and here we are...

Our happy team in Heaton Park

Hello!

Mario amazed by the old tram

lonely tree

Mario, llama, Marta

Guinea Pig

Łukasz & Aga with their ice cream

you won't find anywhere the grass so green like that in North West

one rare view - blue sky above the Heaton Park

Łukasz in moves

us playing Frisbee

Mariusz :*

Agi :0) in my photo shot

go Mario, go!

M&M fighting for Frisbee

and now, who's the fastest?

saying good bye to the Heaton Park...