Warsaw, Poland

I know, I know, I haven't posted in weeks. I feel like I haven't been at my apt in Dubai for more than 36 hrs at any given time the past month. Daniel and I headed out to Amsterdam the end of August, then I hosted the US brand team in the middle east for a week, then we all went to Istanbul for a week and now I'm in Warsaw, Poland for our new country brand launch! I'll post the pictures of Amsterdam and Istanbul this week as I'm finally FINALLY going to be in Dubai for the week- and everyone is flying back to the US tonight! (deep breath! ahhhhh) It will be so nice to be in one place for a while.

So, Warsaw. I'm sitting outside at a starbucks in the old town, it's only 48 degrees out (10C), and I'm taking it all in because when I land in Dubai in 12 hrs it will 90+degrees and humid. Warsaw is a blend of a few old and alot of new--- new being 1980's, and a few new skyscrapers under construction. There are large areas where there is nothing- just grass, weeds, and then a few buildings, and then more open areas. When I asked about it they said it was from WW2- most of the city was destroyed, then the city was under Russia so communist era had no money to rebuild the city, so they ended up with all these vacant areas. This is also why the city is such a mix of very little old and a 1980's. There aren't hardly any heritage sites, very few museums, and maybe 8 churches that are historic. Compared to Vienna, or Prague it looks like a city you'd find in the midwest. I know- you're probably thinking "what?? The midwest?" but sitting here, in a starbucks, with an ING bank building across the street, with a few hotels along the street and a strip mall looking building around the corner, it really does feel like "just another city". It is also different to not see tourists. I have only once in the 5 days of being here seen 1 person with a camera outside the old town square which is in the picture above. That is the one area that was left in tact for the most part after the war. Otherwise, there are no groups walking around, no tour buses lining the side streets. It is a real, working class city. And I have to say it is refreshing. They are all really nice, people say hi to each other in the hotel, the group of associates I trained were all very polite and hard working and so excited for our new stores. The food is good- a mix of bavaria (bratwurst, beer, potatoes), perogies, and then the normal chain restaurants like McDonalds, BK, and KFC... no Chili's though, but I survived :-) Currency is the Polish Zl, not on the Euro- so I will have yet another envelope of a foreign currency in my safe! Seriously- I have 10 envelopes now! Our stores here look so good, the newest of new concept where they are wallpapered with our new 'blue and white' gingham pattern, and they are all located within the 50' of the mall entrances. Alot of good things going for us here. I'm really looking forward to the opening and seeing how the press events go. For sure we will be the sexiest, most fun store Poland has ever seen! :-)