1 Nov: All Saints' Day

Junikowo Cemetery
Poznań, Poland





Every. Single. Grave was cleaned and covered with beautiful flowers or fresh boughs and candles.



In keeping with Polish tradition, family members traveled long distances the days before (and after) All Saints' Day in order to gather at the cemeteries on Nov. 1 and pay respects to their deceased loved ones and relatives.





The cemeteries were extremely crowded, though it may not appear to be the case in my pictures. So as not to disturb the families on this solemn day, I only took photos in areas away from the other visitors.




Thousands of candles at the Katyń memorial



Coming soon: The night of candles.

Poznań Marathon 2010

Poznań Marathon, 10.10.10
from Aleja Niepodległości
runners from all over the world and all ages












And last but not least, my favorite participant, and the last runner of the day:

Spotted: Kraków

Famed 19th century Polish actress Helena Modjeska (Modrzejewska) is trying to get more Facebook friends, so she's asking all of Kraków to search for her (or to "facebookować" her).


Billboard across from Kraków's main train station

Wedding Photos at a Soviet Memorial

Wedding pictures at the Heroes' Monument of the Soviet Soldiers' Cemetery (Pomnik Bohaterów na Cmetarzu Żołnierzy Radzieckich). The Citadel, Poznań.

For the record, this monument does offer a great view of the city. Also, I have seen A LOT of weddings in the two months that I have been in Poznań-- such as my favorite, this day in late August when 20-some fancy cars filled with brides came honking into the Rynek; it's a popular tradition to drive around (especially a central place like the Marketplace) and loudly honk the horn after the wedding, but we'd never seen so many (we later learned it was some sort of radio show promotion):

Smacznego!

From Poznań's Bread Festival this past weekend. Bakers from across Poland displayed their wares, including some of the most creative decorations on bread that I have ever seen. More pictures to come, I'm sure.



Enjoy your meal!

Today's Photo: Rondo Kaponiera

Things I am not looking forward to: When this entire intersection, one of the busiest in Poznań (though I know it doesn't look it here), is practically shut down and remodeled beginning in 2011. The morning commute is going to become a nightmare.

(This also happened while I was in Wien and they were extending the U2 to reach the stadium. Looks like it's under construction again).

Oh, the things that a city will do for the Euro Cup 2012. Such as christening the stadium with a Sting concert. It's quite a big deal. There's even a countdown on the website for the number of days left. I'm trying not to make it known that I'm not the biggest Sting fan.

Snapshots from Poznań IV

Mechanical goats butting heads above the City Hall clock at 12 noon each day... a Poznań favorite!

Snapshots from Poznań III

Sto Lat: 100th birthday of the Zamek Castle, 21 August 2010

Snapshots from Poznań II

National Festival of Good Taste

Snapshots from Poznań