G for Gdynia

G in "My Polish Alphabet" is for a couple of places.

No. 1 is

Kosciuszko Square

Gdynia, a port city built in the early 1920s, situated in the north of Poland, by the Baltic Sea. It was granted city rights on 10 February 1926. 

Monument to Joseph Conrad

 

Since then, it got larger and larger, but the heart of it is still the old center, with its modernist buildings, the harbor, marina, and a sandy beach. The air is lovely there.

In the heart of Gdynia

 

When I was little, my mom took me to the beach on Saturday mornings. I tended to spend hours playing in the sea waters. 

Baltic Sea - view from the beach

 

Later, when I got older, I turned out to be not a beach-type person at all but I always enjoyed the relaxing walks along the seashore and on the city boulevard.

Monument to Displaced Citizens of Gdynia.

During WW2, by the Nazi order, a big number (about 50 000) of Gdynia inhabitants were forced to leave their homes/the city to make space for the new "settlers".

Monument to Gdynia Scouts

The scouts and other citizens of Gdynia fought for the freedom of their city/country during WW2.

More photos and a few more words about Gdynia in an older post here.

St. John's Day Parade in Gdynia

 

Check out other entries in "My Polish Alphabet" - here.

A Few Words About Clogging

So we have taken up clogging. Totally new to us. When I first heard the name of the dance, it made me think of the two pairs of Swedish-type clogs I had left behind in Poland. 

Clogging is fun and quite good exercising too. An hour of dancing makes you feel some heat on your back.

Anyhow, soon, we'll dance like little Georgie in the video below. We just need those Welsh clogs...

American-type clogging is a bit different but requires a lot of leg work/movement as well.

Well, we are not aiming at National Clogging Championships, though. The fun factor and staying active are what matters more.