The Interview Trip continues....making our way to Poznan!

What would traveling around Poland be without seeing different styles of bridges...and we passed several of them traveling through the southwest portion of Poland.

As we made our way from Katowice to Wroclaw the weather began to change. We started out with President wearing his sunglasses and...

the clouds started to gather......the rain began, and soon it turned to this...

As we pulled into Wroclaw, the snow was coming down! We had boxes we needed to deliver to the missionaries at the Branch, and we needed to park close by. The parking lot was full; but as we came around the corner on the last row one car pulled out, and we were able to take it. That was a "Tender Mercy" for sure.

In the Chapel was President Cielenski running the Family History Center this day. He is not only the Branch President but helps with everything. What a great member he is!

As interviews started, each of our missionaries were given their "Kinder Egg". Elders Buckner, Hayes and Sisters Folsom and Stay. Great missionaries in this wonderful branch who are teaching some amazing people at this time!

After the interviews, we were able to walk over to the beautiful Rynek with our missionaries and grab some lunch. By this time of the day, the snow had melted and the weather was cooperating with us.

Later in the afternoon we went to visit the Call family. This is one of the great families in Wroclaw and in Poland. AJ, Cynthia, Wioletta and Cindy. This wonderful family travels an hour and 45 minutes to get to church each Sunday....and they never miss! Great blessings come to those who obey the commandments...especially the Sabbath!

At the Calls, we attended a 'private piano recital' where Cindy...

Cynthia...

and AJ all played beautifully! It was delightful...thank you all for sharing your talents with us!

On our way back to Wroclaw that night, we passed through Opole (located about 1 hour and 30 minutes from Wroclaw) where the Church had a branch years ago.

It was a beautful city. Returning to another beautiful city, we made it back to Wroclaw for the night and still had time to walk around the Rynek. Wroclaw has one of the prettiest Rynek's in Poland...I have to admit that it is MY personal favorite!

The Christmas lights are still up. They don't take down the Christmas lights until the end of January, and no one is complaining. They are stunning in Wroclaw! These pictures really don't do them justice.

The next morning before more interviews, we walked over to the Raclawice Panorama...probably the most visited sight in Wroclaw. From a raised balcony in the middle of this rotunda you can view a 360 degree mural depicting the Battle of Raclawice (a city near Krakow) which was faught in 1794. Poles were attempting to gain independance from Russia...and this battle was a victory. Nine months later, however, this nationwide insurrection was crushed by the Russians; and Poland ceased to exist as a nation until WWI.

This amazing panorama was commissioned a century later and is painted on a canvas of 15 meters (50 feet) tall and 114 meters (385 feet). Nine artists completed this immense canvas in nine months. Three-dimentional items (tree trunks, plants, weapons, roads), special lighting and sound effects bring the rotunda to life. It is difficult to tell what is painted and what is real.

The painting was on display until 1944 when a bomb damaged the canvas. The rotunda was built in 1967 but remained empty until 1985 when the painting was shown for the first time in 4 decades. It is truly a 'must see' for anyone visiting in the area.

Sidenote: The soldier in the white coat on the brown horse is Tadeusz Kosciuszko. He led the Polish army and peasants against the Russians in this battle (1794). This amazing Pole is also beloved by Americans....He fought as a Colonel in the American Revolutionary War.

After the Panorama, we had time to walk around and see a few more fun sights in Old Town Wroclaw. Above: Crossing over to Sand Island where many churches have been built.

Does this look familiar? Yes, it's one of the bridges where you place a lock on it with the name of the one you love. (I particularly like how neat and organized these locks are because of the construction of the bridge.) President and I plan to place a lock on this bridge just as we did in Bydgoszcz. Another trip, maybe!

Walking back to the car, we spotted this cool looking old building and thought it was an old factory. We saw many people walking in so we decided to follow them.

WOW! It was an indoor open air market...Market Hall. The colorful fruit, vegetables, baked goods and candy was everywhere and so many other things to shop for. Too bad we are short on time and need to get back to interviews:( ...maybe next time :)

They had a "Milk Bar" (as you can see from the prices) which was very popular with the locals. When we add our 'lock' to the bridge, we'll have to come back and try it!
Back in the car, we turned on our 'trusted' GPS to show us the way to Poznan...our next stop.

I use the word 'trusted' very loosely! Could it be that we are the only ones heading to Poznan today?

We finally decided to STOP following the GPS when it told us to turn down this road!

We continued making our way to Poznan via small country roads. The sign on the right is a sample of the names of towns that we see all over. They are easy to pronounce for Poles. But as an American, all I have to say is "I'd like to buy a vowel!" (quote from an old American game show, Wheel of Fortune)

We are making headway......finally, a road with a stripe in it! Poznan can't be far off now!

The REAL road into Poznan! This is the kind of road we were supposed to be on! Good thing we were a little ahead of schedule and had time to 'tour' the countryside! The next two days will be filled with Poznan Branch Conference, visiting members, Interviews, District Meetings in Poznan and then Bydgoszcz.....etc! Warsaw in Wednesday and then to Lublin...

We love our mission, our missionaries, the members and this great land! We are so blessed.