With the turning of the seasons, I decided it was finally warm enough to adventure into other areas of Eastern Europe and embarked on an independent travel trip to Warsaw, Poland over holy weekend (I’m a little behind in blogging).
![Pink Flowers Outside of Warsaw University](https://i2.wp.com/blogs.hope.edu/off-campus/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/04/Flowers-768x1024.jpg?ssl=1)
![Cool Architechture in Warsaw Old Town](https://i0.wp.com/blogs.hope.edu/off-campus/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/04/IMG_20240331_140452099-768x1024.jpg?ssl=1)
![Ornate Gates Outside of Warsaw University](https://i1.wp.com/blogs.hope.edu/off-campus/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/04/IMG_20240331_140558665_HDR-768x1024.jpg?ssl=1)
![White Flowers Outside of Warsaw University](https://i0.wp.com/blogs.hope.edu/off-campus/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/04/White-Flowers-1-768x1024.jpg?ssl=1)
Aside from the gorgeous 76-degree weather and sunshine, Warsaw offered me a glimpse into deep troughs of history, culture, and resilience. I also experienced personal growth, cultivated travel skills, realized the importance of checking calendars before planning a trip, and learned that I am capable of pulling two all-nighters traveling and coming out the other side grateful for the experience. So, without further ado, I hope you will enjoy a brief look at my adventures through Warsaw!
![Me and two friends after we arrived in Warsaw](https://i0.wp.com/blogs.hope.edu/off-campus/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/04/Arrival-in-Warsaw-1-768x1024.jpg?ssl=1)
![Picture of a stream with water](https://i0.wp.com/blogs.hope.edu/off-campus/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/04/Park-3-1-768x1024.jpg?ssl=1)
![A Friend Enjoying Spring in Warsaw](https://i1.wp.com/blogs.hope.edu/off-campus/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/04/Park-4-1-768x1024.jpg?ssl=1)
![Image of a park in Warsaw in the morning with sunlight streaming in](https://i2.wp.com/blogs.hope.edu/off-campus/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/04/Park-1-768x1024.jpg?ssl=1)
![A Traditional Polish Restaurant](https://i1.wp.com/blogs.hope.edu/off-campus/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/04/Food-768x1024.jpg?ssl=1)
My excitement as I toppled out of the bus at 4:30 am at Warsaw Central Station was tempered slightly when I realized nothing was open. After a full night’s travel, I wished for nothing more than a bathroom, some coffee, and a cute little place to plan out the rest of my trip. As it was, these needs were satisfied not in the idyllic way I had imagined, but through the one place that opened at 5:00 am on a Saturday: McDonald’s. After spending an hour refreshing and planning, I came to realize that many museums and shops in Warsaw closed down for the celebration of holy weekend. Nevertheless, it still held many gems to uncover.
![Church of Michael the Archangle](https://i0.wp.com/blogs.hope.edu/off-campus/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/04/Church-768x1024.jpg?ssl=1)
![Hand Painted Easter Eggs](https://i0.wp.com/blogs.hope.edu/off-campus/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/04/Easter-Eggs-768x1024.jpg?ssl=1)
![Field of Flowers](https://i2.wp.com/blogs.hope.edu/off-campus/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/04/Feilds-of-Flowers-768x1024.jpg?ssl=1)
![SUN in a Park with Friends](https://i0.wp.com/blogs.hope.edu/off-campus/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/04/Gazebo-768x1024.jpg?ssl=1)
![My First GF Tiramisu!](https://i2.wp.com/blogs.hope.edu/off-campus/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/04/IMG_20240331_210253289_HDR-768x1024.jpg?ssl=1)
![A Friend and In A Mall](https://i2.wp.com/blogs.hope.edu/off-campus/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/04/Mall-768x1024.jpg?ssl=1)
![Palace in Warsaw Old Town](https://i1.wp.com/blogs.hope.edu/off-campus/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/04/Palace-768x1024.jpg?ssl=1)
![My Friends and I Smiling in The Sunlight](https://i2.wp.com/blogs.hope.edu/off-campus/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/04/Park-2-1-1024x768.jpg?ssl=1)
![Architecture in Warsaw Old Town](https://i1.wp.com/blogs.hope.edu/off-campus/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/04/Street-3-768x1024.jpg?ssl=1)
![Observation Tower](https://i1.wp.com/blogs.hope.edu/off-campus/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/04/Tower-2-768x1024.jpg?ssl=1)
![](https://i1.wp.com/blogs.hope.edu/off-campus/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/04/Wall-2.0-768x1024.jpg?ssl=1)
By the time I boarded my next overnight bus to take me home, I had experienced many firsts. As I traversed the vast city of Warsaw, I experienced gorgeous parks, architectural marvels, and monuments to history both lost and gained.
![Trying Polish Food with Friends!](https://i2.wp.com/blogs.hope.edu/off-campus/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/04/Food-wfriends-1024x768.jpg?ssl=1)
![Street Art In Warsaw](https://i2.wp.com/blogs.hope.edu/off-campus/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/04/Graffiti-768x1024.jpg?ssl=1)
![Church in Warsaw Old Town](https://i1.wp.com/blogs.hope.edu/off-campus/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/04/IMG_20240331_142423931_HDR-768x1024.jpg?ssl=1)
![Observing all of Warsaw With Friends!](https://i2.wp.com/blogs.hope.edu/off-campus/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/04/View-2-1-768x1024.jpg?ssl=1)
![View from Observation Tower](https://i2.wp.com/blogs.hope.edu/off-campus/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/04/View-1-768x1024.jpg?ssl=1)
![Inside a Church in Warsaw Old Town](https://i2.wp.com/blogs.hope.edu/off-campus/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/04/Church-2-768x1024.jpg?ssl=1)
I bought my first new book and read it on the first warm, sunny day I have experienced since studying abroad; I observed the whole city of Warsaw from a viewing platform; I saw my first live hippopotamus; I explored Historic Old Town; I tried Polish ice cream; I participated in an international church service; I crossed the busiest (and longest) pedestrian bridge I have ever seen; I stayed in my first hostel; I ate my first tiramisu; I viewed numerous churches; and I learned how to navigate all aspects of Warsaw public transit from metro to tram! I also discovered that I would not want to backpack across Europe and should consider luggage lockers for future trips.
![Church on Easter Morning](https://i2.wp.com/blogs.hope.edu/off-campus/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/04/Church-Service-1-768x1024.jpg?ssl=1)
![Elephants](https://i1.wp.com/blogs.hope.edu/off-campus/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/04/Elephants-1-768x1024.jpg?ssl=1)
![My First Hippo Sighting!](https://i0.wp.com/blogs.hope.edu/off-campus/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/04/Hippo-1-768x1024.jpg?ssl=1)
![Monument in Old Town at Night](https://i2.wp.com/blogs.hope.edu/off-campus/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/04/IMG_20240331_221618540_HDR-768x1024.jpg?ssl=1)
![Seals](https://i1.wp.com/blogs.hope.edu/off-campus/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/04/Sea-Lions-1-768x1024.jpg?ssl=1)
![Street in Warsaw Old Town with Friends](https://i0.wp.com/blogs.hope.edu/off-campus/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/04/Street-wfriends-1-768x1024.jpg?ssl=1)
And that’s it for now! I hope you enjoyed hearing about some of my adventures in Warsaw! Until my next weekend trip, iki!