This trip has been planned for awhile and now that the date is almost upon us, it is finally hitting me that I really am going. It will be my first trip outside of North America so I am very excited but a little apprehensive at the same time.

I know a few phrases in Polish but for all intents, I don't know how to speak the language.  It will be like when I went to Mexico, not knowing Spanish.  Smiling and sign language…I can get by.  I will be depending on my girlfriend, who was born there, to figure out what is going on.

I'm sure I will learn a lot of Polish while I am there.  I've never been one to let a little lack of knowledge get in the way of a new experience.  My iPod has also been loaded up with some Polish language courses, so I will have something to do on the 36 hour journey.

A little about Poland

If you don't know anything about Poland, here are a few fun facts:

1. Shares borders with Russia, Lithuania, Belarus, Ukraine, Slovakia, the Czech Republic and Germany.
2. “Poland” comes from the “Polanie ” tribe, former inhabitants of now what is Western Poland.
3. The country was formed in the year 966 by prince Mieszko I.
4. Polish people generally peel their bananas from the blossom end, not the stem end.
5. When you order pizza in Poland, the tomato sauce comes on the side and you add it yourself…if it comes with tomato sauce at all.  Some Polish pizza has ketchup instead (something only my Dad would like).
6. When some American TV shows/Movies are dubbed in Polish, they just make the English softer and dub in Polish over it so you can still hear the English if you listen carefully.  That might actually work.  Imagine the shit show it would be if you did that with a Kung Fu movie though.
7. Polish cabbage is bigger than your head (to be verified cause I have a big head).
8. Every ambulance has an M.D. on board (hopefully will NOT be verified).
9. On the same note, English Teachers make more money than Doctors.
10. One of the most famous places in Poland is the Salt Mine in Wieliczca.  Salt has been mined there for over 700 years and they have some amazing carvings and statues…all made out of salt.

The map

So that's a few things that I learned as I prepare for my trip to Poland.  I will provide regular updates from the road, hopefully I can find some decent internet connections.

We will also be visiting Tallinn, the capital of Estonia.  Our Estonian friend will be home visiting family and we will have the opportunity to experience her country too.

Let's go!

P.S. – You are probably wondering how this helps Operation Debt Bomb.  Well, it is a setback.  However, the plane tickets were purchased a long time ago and I'm going to make the most of the opportunity.  It will be an amazing experience.   Opportunities to make money come along every day, but trips like this don't.