Cultural: A trip to Warsaw on the train

OK, all of you who live in areas with public transportation will laugh at this one.

Today we had to go back in Warsaw again. We took the train.

This is how such a trip goes.

First we drove to the train station because the train is cheaper from about 3 miles from our house instead of less than a mile. So we drove into Warsaw city limits to get the cheaper price. Then we parked and went up to the train station to wait.

While we waited, we noticed the signs showing how they are modernizing the train station for us.

They haven’t done much to this place since the early 60s. It’s time.

This train was heading the opposite direction we were going.

These little machines take a credit card.

We got on the train and bought a ticket. it came validated, so this one is good for 75 minutes and cost 4.40 zl or $1.16 USD.at today’s exchange rate. (I’m not complaining!)

All was very quiet on the train. In our immediate area for most of the trip to downtown Warsaw (about 40 minutes) you couldn’t hear anyone talking.

I didn’t feel right taking a picture of the man who was sitting directly across from me so I waited until he got up to get a picture of the seats facing ours.

Here we are coming into the center of Warsaw. We have just crossed over the Vistula River. that’s how gray today was. This is right about 11:30 am, so it’s as bright as it got.

Then, we caught a tram and went to our destination, came back and did the whole thing in reverse. We had a 75 minute ticket, so we didn’t need to buy another ticket for the tram.

On out way back, we needed to buy a ticket so we could get back to the center of town on the tram, so we went to one of these but the first one wasn’t working.

We had to walk the equivalent of one tram stop to find the next one. My feet started to feel it.

We found a Burger King, ate lunch/dinner about 1 pm and came on home.

It makes for a pretty peaceful trip, actually. Once you are on the train, you don’t have the stress of driving and parking. Of course, you have to walk more. My feet were tired and my left little toe was starting to hurt - guess I’m not used to walking in my boots - at least not walking as much as I did today! Maybe they don’t fit entirely correctly! I don’t usually keep them on long enough to think about it!

This is the train we came back on - it is part of the integrated Warsaw city system. You can ride the train, tram, and metro (underground train) as much as you want for the time indicatedif you buy their tickets or have the monthly transportation card (which you buy).

My view out the window on our way home.

Going by train doesn’t take that long here. We have a pretty good infrastructure - at least if you are close to a big city. Farther away from the city and it’s another matter. For us, driving to the train station, parking the vehicle and catching the train makes good sense. It’s economical and saves wear and tear on the nerves. It does take more time, though. It doesn’t work for shopping, but it does work for necessary “trips that you have to do for paperwork” where mostly you go and wait or turn in documents.

Our total tickets we had to buy today. They cost a total of 12.20 zl which is $3.23 USD at today’s exchange rate. We both went, so that is what it cost each of us.

Today was a bit chilly, however. It’s around freezing here and the wind was bitingly cold.

But we got our exercise in for today!

And that’s how we take a train trip to the big city!

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Be sure to check out waht my sis has for you in the store! I know we are starting to get geared up for Thanksgiving, but you can order now for your holiday sewing! Some of you will be doing Bonnie Hunter’s mystery quilt. If you are still on the fence about it, you have time to get your fabric package and get going with the rest of them!

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