Come and check out my first day in Warsaw
I know that many of you have been anxious to see some photos from my
trip to Warsaw. It just took a little while before I was able to
upload and send the files. What a beautiful time of year to visit this
place. As you can see, the weather was cooperative and we had a very
pleasant visit. As usual, our days are filled with sightseeing and
good eats.
The first day in Warsaw, we went for a walk in a beautiful park
where the Belvedere Restaurant is located. Obviously, the park has
very, very strict rules of conduct, as seen in this chart - no
bicycles, no dogs, no radios, no running, no roller skating or roller
blading. It was funny that I was almost immediately run over by a
policeman on a bike.
Here is a very clear and detailed map of the park for walkers.
One of the many canals in the park, which has lovely stands of trees. The grassy areas are uncut.
The Belvedere Restaurant is an orangerie - a type of building with several added on pavilions.
Lots of tropical palms and cycads are grown in giant containers throughout the park.
Here's Kevin in front of one of the great expanses of lawn.
The bedding plants are primarily begonias - these fluffy pink ones are gorgeous.
The restaurant linens and glassware are simple, but elegant. My
Polish magazine publisher, Edipresse, invited us there for lunch. The
small bowls contain fragrant olive oil and rich balsamic vinegar.
Of course, there was delicious home-style bread for dipping.
Here's Kevin and Ewa Redel, vice-president of Edipresse Polska - a very intelligent and funny young woman.
Here I am with Anne Alexander, editorial consultant for Edipresse Polska.
This is Zbigniew Napierala, the President and CEO of Edipresse Polska and Alicja Modzelewska, the managing editor.
Look how pretty the first course was - a very refreshing, cold borscht - a creamy beet soup
Another course of sushi quality tuna, white asparagus, and micro greens.
This is a beautifully cooked perch fillet with vegetable purees.
Another entree of sea bass with asparagus.
This is river trout and a tomato 'pizza.' 
I was feeling nostalgic and my lunch was pierogi filled with
sauerkraut and wild mushrooms - it was good, but not as good as my
mothers.
Kevin had fillet of beef - it was tender and perfectly cooked.
A very colorful carpaccio of beef.
Trou Madame is an old fashioned cafe/ice cream parlor located in the park.
We just loved visiting with the many peacocks in the park - they perch in the oddest places!
This is a small, but historically significant 'summer palace' located in the park - it's very, very beautiful.
There were gracious and tasteful interiors - as you can see, restrained decor and wonderful colors.
We all loved the carved stones.
The exterior of the palace was very refined. There were lakes, water ways, urns, and of course, lots of peacocks!
A male peacock - resting - before strutting again for a female.
Here he goes, strutting his feathers and stuff.
Have you ever seen under and behind a peacock? This is what it looks like - a bird's eye view, if you will.
An even better view - these birds are so tame and protected - a very good reason why no dogs are allowed in the park.
Here's a close up of the magnificent tail. 
and a close up of the back
And the cause of all the commotion? - A rather plain looking female, lurking in the garden. 
On closer look, she is really very pretty. 
The park is a favorite spot for weddings and photography.
What would Warsaw be without a protest? The workers of a retail store were fighting for better wages and no weekend hours.
Our publisher took us to his offices. This is the official sign inside the building. 
The reception desk - they publish 59 magazines including Martha Stewart Living!
Zbigniew Napierala, the President and CEO of Edipresse Polska - outside the classical facade of his very modern offices.
This is the doorway to our hotel, Le Regina - a very nice and well-run establishment. 
The lovely outdoor arcade where we had breakfast.
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