Day 6 - Warsaw

Day six was a great experience in many ways!! It started out with another beautiful tour and learning about the history of the city we were in, Warsaw. We first traveled to the recreation of the old city, which although was sadly destroyed in World War II, was rebuilt and was made to look as similar as possible to the original. Upon arrival, Marina showed us all of the different building styles throughout the different replicated buildings. We first went the Swedish King of Poland, Sigismund III Vasa's, palace.

After we met up with our wonderful local tour guide Agnieszka, she showed us the remaining parts of the wall around the former Warsaw Ghetto, as well as the many important churches and what parts they played in the events during both the Holocaust and the Warsaw Uprising. 

Another stop we visited was the house of scientist and role model Marye Curie, the first woman to win the Nobel Peace Prize. Along the same road, we were taken to a larger than life-sized group of three woman statues built by a famous Polish King for the different woman that made a difference both in his life and the history of Poland during that time period. 

In order to have a break from the sun, we stopped in a park dedicated to the Polish Composer Choppin. 

Next, Agnieszka took us to a Jewish Memorial that pictures the Polish Jews being taken to a concentration or death camp, while the only people that show any emotions are the children. The other side shows the children of today fighting against the bad things that they experienced. It states the children of today can beat the terrors of tomorrow, which a very encouraging statement. 

Our final stop on the tour was a commemoration to the remains of one of the parts of the Warsaw Ghetto, where we stood in silence in order to remember those who had suffered and died there. 

After a lunch of choice, we were sadly unable to get into the exciting Copernicus Science Center at the time, but were instead able to delay the trip until the next morning. Instead, many of the kids went to the Warsaw Uprising Museum, where the interactive sounds, displays, and graphic pictures gave a very informative insight into the bravery and planning behind the Warsaw Uprising. 

Lastly, we had a very proper three-course meal of tomato and pasta soup for an appetizer, breaded chicken and potatoes entree, and a fruit jelly with whipped cream. We had an early return to the hotel in anticipation for the early but exciting morning for day 7.