"Warsaw Rising" a Warsaw Travel Page by AcornMan

From August 20-September 4, 2004 I participated in a Habitat for Humanity Global Village trip to Poland to help build a six-unit apartment complex for families who could not otherwise afford decent housing of their own. We spent most of our time (12 days) in Warsaw, but even with the work schedule we still had a chance to see a lot of the city.

Warsaw was much more interesting and fun than I had anticipated. Although much of the city, especially the older parts, was almost completley destroyed during World War II, it has been almost completely rebuilt with an eye toward historical accuracy. A visitor who did not know about Warsaw's tragic past would probably have no idea that most of the historically significant buildings standing today are in most cases no more than 50 years old, and in many cases much younger than that even.

Today Warsaw is a city in transition. While memories of the Nazi occupation and subsequent communist control are still fresh in people's minds, the city is also home to gigantic shopping malls with all the latest products and clothing styles. A broad variety of pubs, clubs, restaurants, and cafes adds to the modern atmoshpere by providing an entertaining nightlife no matter what your tastes.

For westerners Warsaw is still clearly a second or even third-tier destination, but that could easily change if word gets out about everything this city has to offer (and the incredibly good bargains to be had for food, drinks, hotels, and tourist activities). I have to concede I never would have considered a visit to Warsaw if it hadn't been for the Habitat for Humanity trip, but I'm grateful that my eyes have been opened to this wonderful city and I'd love to return someday to visit my new friends there and explore the places I didn't have a chance to see during my first trip.