Warsaw, 2013

After crossing the Belarusian-Polish border, we stopped in a place called Padzero. Strangely, the bus stopped right opposite a sex shop. For the Czech Republic, in my opinion, this would have been more relevant.

Padzero turned out to be a complex consisting of a hotel and a gas station, with a cafe, a shop, and a currency exchange.

After having a hearty lunch and stocking up on water, we drove for several hours to Warsaw, which greeted us with wet snow and strong winds. In such weather, seeing a palm tree at the entrance to the city was very unexpected.

The bus stopped not far from the presidential administration building, and we even accidentally saw the president himself.

The bus driver, violating traffic rules, dropped us off where there was no bus stop. Immediately, I noticed the tiles, poles, and bollards. Hello, Warsaw.

To get to the Old Town, I passed a platform with a view of the road interchange and the National Stadium, where the matches of the 2012 European Football Championship were held.

Next is the Palace Square with the Sigismund's Column, erected in 1644 by King Władysław IV in honor of his father Sigismund III.

The next destination is the Market Square of the Old Town. I walk there through narrow streets, arches, distracted by both the beauty and the police cars.

I arrived. In the center of the square is the figure of the Mermaid. When I approached it, some Chinese man greeted me. Repair works are underway around the perimeter of the square.

Then everything went according to a simple plan: walk wherever my eyes led me, look around, up, and under my feet.

The woman on the pictogram has one leg. And the doors are beautiful.

The streets are almost empty. The city is just waking up, and the tourists haven't reached the Old Town yet.

Someone is carrying a folding bed.

Someone is buying cigarettes.

A woman has opened a shop, smoking and talking on the phone.

The ATM sign has a bison on it. Hello, Białowieża Forest!

They displayed beauty.

The text on the additional information sign is not at all concise.

But nearby, there is a beautiful sign.

In the Old Town, traffic rules are strictly enforced. I didn't notice any illegal parking. I also didn't see any bicycles beyond the sign.

The entrances are closed with grates, and there are carpets on the floor. Cozy!

Underfoot, there are many utility manholes.

The house signs are mostly on enameled plates. Unexpected frescoes can also be found.

Seeing this on a table in the courtyard, I laughed for a long time. An eternal theme in any country.

I finished my walk through the Old Town with a cup of coffee in a small cafe.

I had dinner at the hotel restaurant.

And in the morning, when it dawned, I saw a bison from the window.