The longest ride... 240 km, Warsaw - Elk (northeastern Poland). I was a little stressed this morning because of the rather huge distance I had to cover and because I was somehow fearing to run out of luck. Until now, everything went perfect. Shouldn't I be paying my way?
It turned out to be one of the most beautiful rides so far. Northeastern Poland was all in green and peaceful the whole way. The air was freshly washed out, the light was bright. I was mostly on local and even unpaved roads, so I haven't seen that many cars. The road took good care of me, the road was gracious. I was not paying my way, I was riding light hearted and free spirited.
There is a lot to say about Poland... Where should I start? In contrast to the other countries of the former Eastern Bloc I was riding through, in countryside and small town Poland I really haven't noticed anything substantial that remembers about communist era. The level of prosperity seems all very equivalent to what I have seen in many regions in Western Europe. Concerning the big cities, although I only have cycled through Warsaw and the Silezian metropole, it seems obvious the communist era appartment buildings will last for a few more decades.
But there is more. Poland seems to be booming. It's the first time I am here, but it's clear the appearance of the country changed radically over the last 2 decades. I've noticed a lot of infrastructure of recent date - bridges, highways, factories,... Though, the most remarkable to my opinion is the amount of new houses. Both at the edge of towns but also in the middle of nowhere I saw countless newly built villa style houses, without too much of spatial planning or long term vision behind it.
it all reminds me very much of my own country and what we've done with our space to get where we are now. I believe we've screwed it and we've lost it. Of course Poland isn't Flanders and the amount of open space and natural wealth here goes far beyond imagination, but still, there is a lot at stake.
Don't screw it, Poland! I will be back... but first... Lithuania tomorrow!
It turned out to be one of the most beautiful rides so far. Northeastern Poland was all in green and peaceful the whole way. The air was freshly washed out, the light was bright. I was mostly on local and even unpaved roads, so I haven't seen that many cars. The road took good care of me, the road was gracious. I was not paying my way, I was riding light hearted and free spirited.
There is a lot to say about Poland... Where should I start? In contrast to the other countries of the former Eastern Bloc I was riding through, in countryside and small town Poland I really haven't noticed anything substantial that remembers about communist era. The level of prosperity seems all very equivalent to what I have seen in many regions in Western Europe. Concerning the big cities, although I only have cycled through Warsaw and the Silezian metropole, it seems obvious the communist era appartment buildings will last for a few more decades.
But there is more. Poland seems to be booming. It's the first time I am here, but it's clear the appearance of the country changed radically over the last 2 decades. I've noticed a lot of infrastructure of recent date - bridges, highways, factories,... Though, the most remarkable to my opinion is the amount of new houses. Both at the edge of towns but also in the middle of nowhere I saw countless newly built villa style houses, without too much of spatial planning or long term vision behind it.
it all reminds me very much of my own country and what we've done with our space to get where we are now. I believe we've screwed it and we've lost it. Of course Poland isn't Flanders and the amount of open space and natural wealth here goes far beyond imagination, but still, there is a lot at stake.
Don't screw it, Poland! I will be back... but first... Lithuania tomorrow!