Gdañsk, Poland
Another great day on the National Geographic Endeavour started with the visit of a celebrity. We had the pleasure of welcoming former Polish president Lech Walesa, listening to his lecture and asking him many questions about Poland, world economy, globalization and the influence of different religions and Asian countries on the West in the future. His point of view and opinions were both extremely interesting and presented with a wonderful sense of humor. For most of us here onboard (including myself!) meeting and shaking hands with President Walesa was an unforgettable and extraordinary feeling.
Lech Walesa led the anti-communist opposition in Poland and his work really started the erosion of the system that later collapsed. He was the leader of the strikes in 1980 in Gdañsk shipyard. Working as an electrician he organized thousands of workers like him to stand against the soviet-driven government. He was able to negotiate the establishment of the free first trade union, SOLIDARITY, which was initially banned in the Soviet block. When martial law was declared in Poland he was imprisoned and later kept under home arrest – all together for five years. He received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1983, and in 1989 led opposition to success in round table talks and free elections. Soon thereafter he was elected the President of Poland. His work paved the road for Polish entry into NATO and the European Union.
During the day we had plenty of time to visit the historical town of Gdañsk, where Walesa started his world-changing efforts. Gdañsk is a very old city – the first time its name was mentioned in historical documents was ten centuries ago – in 967! During the ages following, the city was in the hands of the Polish, the Germans and the Teutonic Knights. But overall it was always a merchant city. Among one of the first cities in Hanseatic League, it made its career on grain and wood trading. Today it is also famous for a very beautiful and interesting treasure – amber. The majority of this precious substance, which is widely used in silver jewelry, comes from the famous city of Gdañsk. In addition to its beauty, amber is thought to have a very positive influence on one’s health.
We spent our day walking through the Old City, enjoying its beautiful gothic churches, rebuilt after the WWII bombings. Later, after lunch, some of us went to the Polish Maritime Museum and enjoyed the stories about Baltic ships and the tribes from the areas surrounding this unusual, almost freshwater, sea. There was time for amber shopping too!
Evening recap finished the day full of attractions in Gdañsk and in Poland. David and Sharon spoke about the history of Poland, Indo-European languages, and personal involvement with the country, followed by a Q&A session addressed to me (I’m Polish). Now we are heading for the open sea and a rest day before we get to Riga, the capital of the next Baltic country we are going to visit – Latvia.
What a great perspective!
Another great day on the National Geographic Endeavour started with the visit of a celebrity. We had the pleasure of welcoming former Polish president Lech Walesa, listening to his lecture and asking him many questions about Poland, world economy, globalization and the influence of different religions and Asian countries on the West in the future. His point of view and opinions were both extremely interesting and presented with a wonderful sense of humor. For most of us here onboard (including myself!) meeting and shaking hands with President Walesa was an unforgettable and extraordinary feeling.
Lech Walesa led the anti-communist opposition in Poland and his work really started the erosion of the system that later collapsed. He was the leader of the strikes in 1980 in Gdañsk shipyard. Working as an electrician he organized thousands of workers like him to stand against the soviet-driven government. He was able to negotiate the establishment of the free first trade union, SOLIDARITY, which was initially banned in the Soviet block. When martial law was declared in Poland he was imprisoned and later kept under home arrest – all together for five years. He received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1983, and in 1989 led opposition to success in round table talks and free elections. Soon thereafter he was elected the President of Poland. His work paved the road for Polish entry into NATO and the European Union.
During the day we had plenty of time to visit the historical town of Gdañsk, where Walesa started his world-changing efforts. Gdañsk is a very old city – the first time its name was mentioned in historical documents was ten centuries ago – in 967! During the ages following, the city was in the hands of the Polish, the Germans and the Teutonic Knights. But overall it was always a merchant city. Among one of the first cities in Hanseatic League, it made its career on grain and wood trading. Today it is also famous for a very beautiful and interesting treasure – amber. The majority of this precious substance, which is widely used in silver jewelry, comes from the famous city of Gdañsk. In addition to its beauty, amber is thought to have a very positive influence on one’s health.
We spent our day walking through the Old City, enjoying its beautiful gothic churches, rebuilt after the WWII bombings. Later, after lunch, some of us went to the Polish Maritime Museum and enjoyed the stories about Baltic ships and the tribes from the areas surrounding this unusual, almost freshwater, sea. There was time for amber shopping too!
Evening recap finished the day full of attractions in Gdañsk and in Poland. David and Sharon spoke about the history of Poland, Indo-European languages, and personal involvement with the country, followed by a Q&A session addressed to me (I’m Polish). Now we are heading for the open sea and a rest day before we get to Riga, the capital of the next Baltic country we are going to visit – Latvia.
What a great perspective!
