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Polish Pottery
'm too young to be countless patterns, every color
collecting dishes!" Yes, imaginable, and plenty of shapes
these famous last words and sizes it turned out that
came out of my mouth shortly not only was I not too young, I
after moving to Germany. I'd see needed it all.
the stuff everywhere decorating
the walls at a friend's house, I took my first Polish Pottery
overflowing with food at a shopping trip a few months later
potluck gathering, being sold by with the USO you know, the one
at a booth outside the post that you spend an insane 30 hours
store. And don't forget each and in a state of pottery-induced,
every shopping bazaar the table it-doesn't-matter-how-much-I-spen
surrounded by a frenzy of ladies d euphoria. Everyone loads on a
was sure to have a well-stocked big touring bus at 9 pm on a
selection from Poland or Italy. Friday night and at around 4:30
am, the shopping madness begins.
I resisted its tempting allure Shop owners know when the busses
for the first couple of years and arrive and put themselves out of
believe it or not, my husband bed early to make that extra
caved first. I was engrossed in a money. Each shop is a race not
pile of carved wooden boxes as my only against your new friends on
husband explored the pottery your bus but against that next
table nearby. Then, he uttered tour bus you HAVE to stay in
those nine little words that he's front of. Dinner plates, dessert
probably regretted ever since, plates, coffee cups and saucers,
"what do you think about buying serving dishes, baking dishes,
some Polish Pottery?" It was all tea sets, salt and pepper shakers
over. We went home with five anything you need for the
different pieces that afternoon kitchen or dining room. Recently,
but it was just the beginning - I've seen pottery items that you
can use outside the kitchen such be used for serving. Also, if you
as wall decorations, planters, find the label 'unikat' on the
and some rude ones I won't bottom, the pattern is original
mention
Some people have their to the store you purchased it
one, beloved pattern while from. The Golden Rule of Polish
others, such as myself, mix and Pottery Shopping in Poland is: if
match for an eclectic look (they you find a piece/pattern you
are also easier to replace if, like, purchase it there! You
heaven forbid, something breaks). probably won't be able to find
Stop only for a short lunch of the exact same piece anywhere
goulash to keep your energy level else so if you can stand the idea
up and keep going. of potentially losing a couple
dollars vs. getting that special
The trip is also a learning piece, do it!
experience, not just a chance to
lose control. When looking at the At about 5 pm, it's time to head
pottery, try and purchase only back. The bus is crammed, the
'category 1' items. The category luggage spaces underneath the bus
indicates level of flaws so the are as full as they can be, and
higher the better. Category 1 every bump in the road you hit
pottery is oven safe for up to produces a worried 'gasp' from
425 degrees F and dishwasher safe the exhausted shoppers. The
(although I don't trust it
I Stuttgart USO automatically gives
don't even trust my husband to everyone two seats and by this
hand wash it
if you saw my time, you are saying a silent
collection of crystal glasses, prayer for that ingenious perk.
you'd understand). Category 2 is You get back to post around the
oven safe for up to 325 degrees F wee hours of 3 am and barely have
and 'probably' dishwasher safe. the energy to conjure up that
Category 3 and higher should only little white lie to your spouse
on how much you *actually* spent. car in circles in the parking lot
Your body is screaming with a while she shops. I've also seen
mixture of exhaustion and cramps small groups, whether friends or
from the bus but it was worth it! organized by a resourceful
Especially when you move back to military spouse, hire a chartered
the states - watch QVC and you'll bus and driver. Each pitches in
see what I mean. The other day, for a portion of the bill. Not
those silly, smiling ladies were only are they leaving the driving
selling one dessert plate for to someone else, they are buying
$42! themselves peace of mind. Better
safe than sorry!
On a final note, I recommend
going with a group to Poland as Ready to go?
opposed to just you and the
family. Bus trips, although tight USO dot com Those affiliated
and you have to concede to the with the military have this
groups schedule, it's better than resource. Check your local USO's
getting your car stolen (which page for a schedule of tours.
happens quite a bit and how
easy do you think it will be to Enjoy Tours dot com this
track it in a former Eastern company does plenty of trips to
Block country??). I've heard so great destinations, but they
many of these car jacking stories don't have that
one woman brought her husband '2-seats-per-person' policy that
along to watch the car
he did the USO does.
watched it get driven right out
of the parking lot. I had a Four shops in the area of
friend tell me that she'll only Boleslawiec, Poland and
drive her car to Poland if her American-friendly:
husband goes AND he drives the
* Pol Card Zebrzydowa 62
Karty Platnicze w Polsce
Pawie Oczko sklep Firmony * Kufel Sklep II
Ul. Masarska 1, 59-700 Ul II Armii Wojska Polskiego
Boleslawiec 59-700
* Ceramika Art Wiklina * Makaba
"Cerwik" K. Roznicki, A. Mazur Boleslawiec
59-731 Zebrzydowa
About the Author:
Vicki Landes is the author and photographer of Europe for the Senses, a Photographic Journal. She has been soaking up Europe for the last six years and has visited 42 countries. Learn more at Europe for the Senses.
Published At: www.Isnare.com
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