Definitely a day to relax. We started in the gym and then stopped in the grocery store which is in the same building. We have about 10 days left and are already talking about how we are going to miss the food, especially the fresh fruit. No way to get this stuff at home. Taste has been engineered out.
I did a bit of research on the building we are staying in. It is a tenement building from 1936. The inside is in good shape and has obviously been redone at some point. The ceilings are very tall. I’m guessing 12 to 14 feet. There is a small balcony and a window on each side. No modern appliances like a garbage disposal in the sink or dishwasher. There is a portable washer in the bathroom but with no dryer. No elevator. We get a workout several times a day going up and down all of the stairs.
There has been some cleanup in the park we walk through on the way to the gym. Sticks and some loose trash in bags yet to be picked up. Some of the grass has been cut. I am guessing it is a money issue with those responsible. Maybe instead of college some people can major in lawn cutting or landscaping.
My entire career has been in education but I don’t believe colleges provide anything meaningful to most people. There are courses engineers will need. Math, science, chemistry, physics. A certification in the appropriate courses would be sufficient. A course in gender studies is not something an engineer needs. Medical doctors could also eliminate many of the courses today’s colleges require. I want great doctors but the course load is already heavy enough. Is requiring a course in Art History really necessary? We could require a different set of courses for say something like a degree in political science. How about truth telling 101? 50 ways to stop lying?
We decided to go to a few of the farmers markets. Poland was communist but the state never took over the agriculture. Maybe there was some foresight about the government taking over something and it failing. Government agriculture will fail. People will starve. These farmers markets have served Poland for decades. Supposedly the state controlled the sale of things but this became a grey area and provided necessary food. Private farmers bring their product to these markets. All kinds of food. Meat, cheese, vegetables, fruit. All of it great quality. Capitalism operated here all along. It was ignored intentionally.
We stopped at a cell phone business along the way. Terri’s cell battery is at 77% of its original capacity. I thought we could save some money having it done here. Probably was a wash with the VAT tax being 23%. The young gentlemen also sold us new cases with a new, non reflective screen cover. The phones look better than new.
We came back from the market and had dinner in the apartment. Our after dinner walk always includes a stop at the ice cream store right down the street. The young lady recognizes us after so many stops and is very willing to translate all of the flavors. I am satisfied with pointing at something that looks good. Terri needs to know the name.