Polish Teddy Bear

They say that Germany is the capital of teddy bears. But... wait a sec... Poland has got a famous teddy too! You can find it in Warsaw, standing in the middle of a tiny park called Glinianki Sznajdra. To know why does it stand there you have to know more about Polish cinema.

'Teddy Bear' is a cult Polish film directed in 1980 by Stanisław Bareja (famous Polish director making mostly comedy films). The film tells the story of Rysiek, the shrewd manager of state-sponsored sport club. He has to get to London before his ex-wife does in order to collect a big amount of money. As you can imagine, nothing was easy in a communist country which Poland was during those days. So the main character is meeting lots and lots of trouble on his way to get out of Poland. The history is hilarious and Bareja gives the audience a guided tour of the rank corruption, absurd bureaucracy, pervasive bribery and flourishing black market that pervaded socialism of the People's Republic of Poland.

In the last scene of the movie the monument of a big teddy bear appears. To commemorate the movie and to put some smile on the people's faces, the city decided to put the same teddy bear in Glinianki Sznajdra (the place of filming the last scene of the movie).

You can watch 'Teddy Bear' in our hostel! You just have to ask for the DVD at the reception desk.

How to get to the Glinianki Sznajdra? It's very easy! You have to take the bus no. 105 from the NOWY ŚWIAT bus stop, near our hostel. Then you have to get off at the TKACZY bus stop and you are just right next to the teddy bear. Take a look at the map and go :)

Rysiek - the main character of 'Teddy Bear'

International Children's Day

So today we are celebrating International Children's Day. For all travelling kids and they parents I've prepared a map of places in Warsaw, that could be interesting for both of them. On my map you can find parks, playgrounds, museums, skate parks, swimming pools and other attractions. Have fun!


View Warsaw For Kids in a larger map

Wanna Cake?

Hidden in a green bush Cafe Misianka serves the best cakes on the right bank of Vistula. It's not widely known, but on Sunday morning it's hard to find a free table. For all off-the-beaten-track-cake-lovers it's a must!

See Misianka on google maps

Surrounding the cafe Skaryszewski Park (called by locals Skaryszak) is worth a walk or a bike tour. It has nothing to do with pompous Royal Baths Park, where everything (running, cycling, dogs & laying on the grass) if forbidden. Here you are free to do all these typical park activities.
Skaryszak provides typical and 100% local park atmosphere, with slowly walking oldies, running kids, and students reading books on the grass . It's big enough to provide a cozy place for everyone - in a shadow of big trees, on a sunny grass, or at the bank of one of lakes.
Te park not only provides relaxing atmosphere in all shades of green but also gives unique possibility of boat cruises in the middle of the city. "Pod Pstrągiem" ("Under The Trout") restaurant rents kayaks and water bikes, after some paddling you'll surely stay here for grilled trout and a a glass of cold beer.

Check out other cafes in Warsaw:

I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice-cream!