What do you wish you should have brought with you

[ndwannabe]

Of course you can buy a pre-paid simcard here in almost every Kiosk (little shop or stand with press and cigarettes). However it might be difficult to communicate in English here in Poland so just ask receptionist at Qubus hotel where you should go to buy it.

Thank you Mila for chiming in! Specific question for you as a Polish language speaker: I speak Ukrainian and can “pick up” on about 60% to 70% when I hear Polish. Do you think I can try to communicate in Ukrainian?

I am sure Katowice airport like any other airport has this kind of service but the exchange rate at the airport is unfavorable so I would advise you to exchange the money in the shopping center. The place where you can exchange money is called "Kantor" in Polish.

Good point. Thanks for the tip!

[ndwannabe]

ndwannabe, I had brought a European phone that I bought a Polish SIM card for, though had to get it unlocked at the phone store where I bought the SIM (it was a phone from Spain). But then I decided to unlock my Canadian quad-band smartphone (it needs to work with GSM), and I put the SIM card in that one. I unlocked that one by using an on-line service (I think I can find the service if you PM me). Another possibility is to just buy a Polish pay-as-you-go phone... they aren't that expensive.

...Ted

Thanks Ted! I think the last option is the one I should go for. Off to see how to say "mobile phone" in Polish

[ndwannabe]

The people at the Qubus are so great that one young man behind the desk (Tomasz) came with me to the Kiosk to act as my translator. Tomasz then came to my room to show me how to phone international from the hotel phones in the room. He was about 6'9" and a really nice young man. They are so good at the Qubus, they want to make your stay perfect.


Val

Now I should be careful that my husband does not read this thread

[fiddler]

ndwannabe, my "old" Ukrainian helped me understand or make myself understood quite a few times, though sometimes just enough to get into trouble.
...Ted

[annie66]

HI,

Also going to Poland May 23rd...maybe we'll be on the same plane Wannabe

alsooo what the heck are zloty??? don't you use euro in Poland? We just ordered ours.

thanks.

[Vhoenecke]

No, they do not use the Euro which is great a Zloty is a much better deal making your trip a ton cheaper. 34 Cdn dollars = 100 Zloty. A gourmet meal would be about 40-50 Zloty making it very cheap for us.

Husbands need not worry, he was a very young man and I was a very sick middle-aged woman. Tons of great people there and say Hi to Tomasz if he is there, you will recognize him (freaky tall). I really like how they wanted everyone to be happy. Good people all around there had a blast and I wish you all a successful trip. Make sure you take it easy.

Val

[ndwannabe]

HI,

Also going to Poland May 23rd...maybe we'll be on the same plane Wannabe

Hey, maybe? I am flying Lufthansa , what about you?