Odd sights . . .

Remember the sample lady at the grocery store? Usually she would stand near the frozen food section hawking Tombstone pizzas or frozen egg rolls. As a kid, I would wander around from aisle to aisle looking for free snack food from these blue-haired biddys. After making multiple passes, gorging myself, and ending up with flaps of burnt skin hanging from the roof of my mouth, my presence would be met with a disapproving sigh and a raised eyebrow.

Here in Poland, where they take advertising to a new level, you will usually find the sample table staffed by cute young women dressed up in costumes. I don't know what Supergirl has to do with the prevention of tooth decay but she certainly makes one priortize his dental health. Maybe a woman can tell me if stick-thin models with giant lips on their heads really make them want to buy lipstick.

Imagine my surprise last Friday evening when I happened upon a display of Ukrainian vodka, complete with free samples. After knocking one back, the pleasant young man insisted that I try a second one. I reluctantly accepted only to hide behind the wine section, wretching uncontrollably. Does anybody remember "bitter beer face"? Well, Ukrainian vodka face is much more severe.

I didn't think anybody back home would believe they were giving out vodka shots across from the meat section so I requested a picture for the Chronicle. Not only was he happy to oblige, but he even posed for the picture and offered me libation numer trzy. That's Polish for "number three". I politely declined as there was a line of thirsty Poles forming behind me.

Add "Guy Playing a Chair" to the list of odd street performers.
Does one just wake up one morning and have an "Aha!" moment . . . "I know that I'm devoid of any redeeming talent whatsoever, so how 'bout I play this old chair? And for extra comedic value, I will tape a picture of George Bush's head to the front of the chair. This will knock 'em dead at the Centrum metro station."


Finally, I had seen this odd sight a week ago, but neglected to have my camera since I was walking to rugby practice. I was so happy to capture this moment on Sunday because nobody would believe me if I told them I saw a wooly mammoth walking through Pole Mokowtowskie Park. Watching dogs doing what dogs do in parks and then encountering this lumbering beast was quite amusing. Varsovians don't clean up after their pets so there is a surplus of brown landmines in the city. I'm sure production is doubled whenever the furry elephant walks on by.


Big trip this weekend . . . a whirlwind tour of four cities in four days. Crazy yes, but I am doing research for you, my prospective guests. The travel guinea pig is constantly on the lookout for great weekend / day trips from Warsaw. I'll make the mistakes in trying to do too much now, so you won't have to later.

A special greeting to Nate's Mom, a new reader.

Happy Easter!