Dobra Makes Doctors.

By now I think it has become obvious that I spend the major part of my life here studying. The weekends are no exceptions. Saturdays and Sundays can be tough because of the many hours spent at home studying. What I've found to be the best solution to this is the Univeristy of Warsaw's library, where I go every weekend.

This library is by far one of the better ones I've been to. Not necessarily because of the books as I can't read Polish yet, but because of the ambience, and also because of the convenience of the variety of services available within the building. Having been built about ten years ago, it's an extremely modern structure, as far as you can get from the many communist buildings in this city. It's equipped with all modern conveniences and there are multiple silent study rooms, with my favourite being a large one with a glass wall and a glass roof, allowing a lot of natural light. Within the building, there's also multiple cafes, lunch places, a sport court, newspaper stands, old/used book sale, a garden on the roof, and as most of the buildings here in Poland it also has a coat check at the entrance. This latter is a convenience that I've come to like although I have to say I don't use it all the time. Hanging your coat once you enter a building brings on a welcoming feeling. In addition to all this, there are columns and walls with inscriptions of famous qoutes and texts in different languages, enhancing the academic feeling.

Although this library does not belong to the Medical University of Warsaw, many medical students use it for studying and every time I go there I see many familiar faces. In fact, because of the many hours we spend there as medical students, we've come up with an expression: "Dobra makes doctors" (Dobra is the street where the library is located). Although I've just started and have a few years left, I know that when I'm done I will be forever greatful to the University of Warsaw and it's library for all it offers and I WILL miss this place...

/Anna

Autobus 175 replaces Henrietta

For those of you who intend to visit me here in Warsaw, I can guarantee you that you will find bus 175 helpful. So helpful indeed, that if there were no other busses or trams, I would not notice a difference. This bus takes me everywhere I could possibly imagine. A thirty minutes ride through Warsaw and past the stops and places necessary for my well being.

Starting at Fryderyk Chopin Airport, then heading north on ulica Żwirki i Wigury toward the city center. Ten minutes and you're at "my stop", the intersection between previously mentioned street and ulica Raclawicka, visible from my bedroom window. If you stay on the bus you'll get to my school's main campus--Centrum Dydaktyczne. Close by, also along the route of bus 175, is the school's main teaching hospital, and another 15 minutes takes you to the place where I spend most of my time nowadays--the Anatomicum. As you might already suspect, this is where Anatomy classes take place.

Now, I don't want to bore you with details such as street names and bus stops that won't mean anything to you. Instead, I will conclude by saying that bus 175 also takes me to the central station, the Centrum, Polish class, Nowy Swiat, the Warsaw University library, and the adorable old town. These places together allow for shopping, socializing, studying, errand running, people watching, and coffee/beer drinking. What more can one ask for!?

When I'm done, I just jump back on to bus one seven five and it will take me all the way home!!

Although I've come to like my new "ride," there are three warnings I'd like to mention before YOU jump onboard. The first is due to the black reputation the bus has because of frequent pick pocketing. Hence, you'd better hold on to your wallet! I would also like to advice you to ALWAYS have a ticket as ticket controllers are as frequent as pickpocketers on this route due to the airport connection. And last, but not least, do NOT get on this bus in any direction between 3 and 6pm. Mornings are fine, as well as mid day, but the minute you think you're going to run a quick afternoon errand downtown, you're stuck...for hours...

Many of you know about my dear Henrietta that I had to leave behind in CA. Henrietta was my 1993 Saturn that took me EVERYWHERE for almost five years. Sure, "we" had problems but if you ever heard me talking about her, you know I love that car! Therefore, I'd like to dedicate this post to her and conclude by saying that no bus, actually, no other means of transportation, can ever replace Henrietta...

Enjoy your next ride, wherever...

/A