Warsaw (Poland) - Here we go again

WARSAW (Poland)
05 January - 06 January 2018

Here we were yet again, back in good 'ole Warsaw. That stimulating stop between Belgrade and Riga that has become our go to for all things protein related.

As I have said in previous entries, Warsaw is not a bad city. It's ok, in fact, it can be good, just that it's not dynamic, not stimulating and doesn't sparkle like a lot of other cities might.

In any case, considering where we were heading after Riga, on this occasion it would be fair to say that this Warsaw visit might be our last for quite some time.

Warsaw, you have been the perfect host. Perfectly nice, decent and cordial. You'll eternally be in the Friends Zone for us, but admittedly we weren't looking to get into any long term relationship with you. 

Warsaw (Poland) - Our European Panama City

Warsaw (Poland)
28 September - 29 September 2017

Warsaw became our Panama City of Europe. The amount of times that we transited through without having any real intention of discovering the city, it became our Panamanian equivalent. Our Clayton's destination  in Europe was becoming very familiar with our arrivals and departures.

This stop was more than likely going to be our last in Warsaw. Considering the Riga-Belgrade transits were ending then so to would our rights of visitation to Warsaw.

Hard Rock Cafe - Warsaw - Poland

We'd like to thank Warsaw for being quite the hospitable city. Welcoming and polite, we did have some good times whilst moving through. I'm sure somewhere down the track we'll visit again and look back fondly on the now, but please, lets not make it too soon.

Warsaw (Poland) via Suwalki (Poland) - The Concert Series - Part 1 - Coldplay

WARSAW (Poland) via SUWALKI (Poland)
17 June - 20 June 2017

Summer in Northern Europe not only means great weather, a fun vibe and party atmosphere but it also means that all the big bands that you love to see head out on the European circuit. In the lead up to our wedding, or should I say, in the planning of the lead up to our wedding we discovered a whole raft of concerts that were going to be on. The first cab off the rank that also aligned with our bucket list was Coldplay.

Heading out of Riga late one afternoon we did a six hour drive, mostly south, to the small Polish town of Suwalki. With a population of nearly 70,000 inhabitants it lies some 30kms off the South-Western border of Lithuania. In all honesty it was only an overnight stop, so I don't have a hell of a lot to report other than our lodgings were surprisingly good and we had a pleasant nights sleep in Suwalki. Also, somewhat surprisingly, this would not be the only, or even the second time that we would end up staying in this town, but more about that in later entries.

On the road in Lithuania

All set for Coldplay in Warsaw - Poland

Coldplay at the PGE Narodowy Stadium - Warsaw - Poland

Coldplay at the PGE Narodowy Stadium - Warsaw - Poland

Travelling further south to the Polish capital the next day we encountered a highway system that was under construction. Unbeknown to us, but somehow known throughout the region, it apparently is common practice for major Polish arterial roads and highways to be constantly undergoing some of of re-construction and re-formulation. This of course was our bug-bare all the way into the capital as mentally our constructed time of arrival in a 'perfect' setting literally turned to shit with a 60kph speed limit for what felt like 200kms.

Coldplay at the PGE Narodowy Stadium - Warsaw - Poland

Coldplay at the PGE Narodowy Stadium - Warsaw - Poland

Coldplay at the PGE Narodowy Stadium - Warsaw - Poland

Coldplay at the PGE Narodowy Stadium - Warsaw - Poland

Inga & I had passed through Warsaw previously and found it to be a 'nice enough' city. There are elements to it that make it pleasant but somehow to me it feels sparse. It feels like there's a lot of character and potential charm missing from the the centre of the city itself. Whilst it appears to be trying to turn itself into a modern European city there's a lot of absent soul and I can only guess that WWII did an absolute number on this place. Those wounds obviously cut deep and recovery, full recovery, not just of the cosmetic nature, will take more than just a few generations.

Coldplay at the PGE Narodowy Stadium - Warsaw - Poland

Coldplay at the PGE Narodowy Stadium - Warsaw - Poland

Coldplay at the PGE Narodowy Stadium - Warsaw - Poland

Coldplay at the PGE Narodowy Stadium - Warsaw - Poland

Coldplay at the PGE Narodowy Stadium - Warsaw - Poland

Coldplay at the PGE Narodowy Stadium - Warsaw - Poland

First on the Concert Series agenda was Coldplay. Neither of us had been to a live show previously but a sneak peak online of snippets from their Head Full of Dreams Tour, said a lot for the spectacle that was about to eventuate.

They were absolutely brilliant and their ability to encapsulate the crowd, making them part of the theatre and performance was quite special. No matter what you think of Coldplay (and I know they hit a variety of points on the likeability spectrum), their live shows are dynamic, brilliant and engaging. And let me say, for the record, I think Coldplay are fantastic! 

For the record, here's the setlist

Performer:  Coldplay

Location:    PGE Narodowy Stadium, Warsaw, Poland

Tour:            A Head Full of Dreams

1. 
   
2. O mio babbino caro
   (Maria Callas song)
   Play Video
3. A Head Full of Dreams
   (extended intro with Charlie Chaplin speech)
   Play Video
4. Yellow
   Play Video
5. Every Teardrop Is a Waterfall
   Play Video
6. The Scientist
   Play Video
7. Birds
   (with ''Oceans'' excerpt in intro)
   Play Video
8. Paradise
   (with Tiësto Remix outro)
   Play Video
9. B-Stage
10. Always in My Head
    Play Video
11. Magic
    Play Video
12. Princess of China
    Play Video
13. Everglow
    (single version)
    Play Video
14. A-Stage
15. Clocks
    (with ''Army Of One'' excerpt in intro)
    Play Video
16. Midnight
    (partial)
    Play Video
17. Charlie Brown
    Play Video
18. Hymn for the Weekend
    Play Video
19. Fix You
    (with ''Midnight'' excerpt in intro)
    Play Video
20. Viva la Vida
    Play Video
21. Adventure of a Lifetime
    Play Video
22. C-Stage
23. Kaleidoscope
    (extended)
    Play Video
24. In My Place
    (acoustic)
    Play Video
25. Don't Panic
    (acoustic; Will on lead vocals;… more )
    Play Video
26. Us Against the World
    (audience request song)
    Play Video
27. A-Stage
28. Something Just Like This
    (The Chainsmokers & Coldplay cover)
    Play Video
29. A Sky Full of Stars
    Play Video
30. Up&Up
    (extended outro)

Warsaw (POLAND) - in transit

Warsaw (Poland)
17 August - 18 August 2016

The drive from Riga, Latvia to Belgrade, Serbia is in the vicinity of 1800 kms and takes approximately 21hrs if you choose to do it without stopping. This stop in Poland was to be one of many that we made either on our way to Riga or on our way to Serbia. 

Warsaw - Poland

Warsaw - Poland

The old town - overlooking the Vistula River - Warsaw - Poland

Plac Zamkowy - Old Town - Warsaw - Poland

Poland itself is a hard country to drive through. Flat, big and generally boring, from the perspective of a driver its unremarkable. What we also found is that Poland is constantly in the midst of a programme of road works. Major roads are always under major repair, meaning major headaches, delays and difficulties. You're a chore Poland, a tough country to get to like.

Plac Zamkowy - Old Town - Warsaw - Poland

Plac Zamkowy - Old Town - Warsaw - Poland

Plac Zamkowy - Old Town - Warsaw - Poland

Practising my - 'Whoa, that's a nasty smell' look - Warsaw - Poland

Inga practising her 'Serbian duckface' look - Warsaw - Poland

Warsaw - Poland

A Negroni & Whiskey Sour - Warsaw - Poland

This drive however was out first out of Riga and we were actually on the way to the Croatian coastline to partake in a week of sailing on the Adriatic coast, so this stop was more intriguing. Whilst we only spent an evening on this occasion I can say that the 'old town', which has been immaculately restored, was a surprise and somewhat of a gem. In actual fact I don't want to give a bad impression of Warsaw because there are some good things about it, it's just that the city as a whole is relatively bland and banal. To me it seems to miss vibrancy and soul. It's just my perception, so don't hate on me Poland, you're ok.