Flats, lessons and more...

It's been a busy week with a fair bit to do. We've seen some flats. Hmmmm!! A couple were possibilities and a couple were, frankly, revolting. Anyway, we were just thinking of binning it when one of the other agents in the same office called me. He wanted to show us a newly renovated flat - 2 rooms but in a solid building. Okay - we thought what the hell!

It's a little gem!! It's about 54 square meters - which doesn't sound much, but it's bright, feels good and has bonuses. There's a garden - with...wait for it... a well! Plus, there are TWO cellars. It's what you might call a studio apartment with sloping roof - NEW roof. We are very taken with it and have put in an offer. And that's another story.

Here you go to the agent's office and say you want to make an oferty -an offer. You hand over PLN 5000 - in our case less. Then you make your offer. This is recorded on a contract with dates for various completions. We now know that it's not the price - but the TAXES that count! On top of the price you add the notariusz (notary), the court fees, then VAT then the agent's fee then more VAT....... We got quite faint until we realised it all came to 7% of the offer price! Then we had to sign the papers.

Next stop is that the agent takes the offer to the vendor who will of course laugh like a hyena! Then they will make the counter offer - again written formally and signed. We are at the "Please come to the office at 5pm today" No hints at all although we just know the will have refused our offer. So... we will be making a counter counter offer and it all starts again.

Watch this space - if we do get it we'll be really happy.

We have been to IKEA to measure and price kitchens - oh yes -we have to put it all in! Actually IKEA will put everything together -whew!

And on top of that we started our Polish lessons. We were delighted to have one of our teachers from last year again and we feel we are making some progress. She did a quick revision and we are now up from beginner to elementary. We can now put sentences together as well as answer people in the tram and in shops. We do our homework and today's is time. I thought I understood the 24 hour clock! Let's say no more!!

And guess what! It's been snowing!!!!! Yes - unlike last year we already have sneg! It's very cold and I bought a lovely jacket the other day - quilted, black and very cheap - PLN 190,- about GBP30 or AU$65!!!

Yesterday was Polish National Day. 11-11-1918. Pilsudski was handed control of the newly independent country. Up at Wawel there was a huge Mass, then parade - military band soldiers, policed, miners, firemen, old boys, lancers, cavalry..... etc etc. We went up to watch and had a great time. Everybody walked with the procession and stopped at the Katyn memorial of course. Then on to the Rynek. It was great. I took a few pics. This one is the honour guard at the Katyn Memorial.

Because it was a holiday no shops were open but we ate obiad in one of our favourite places. The staff know us already - we're the foreigners who speak Polish!!! The very nice waiter gave us each a cherry wodka - free!

Well, that's about it for now. Wish us luck this afternoon!!! Wonder if they'll accept our counter counter offer? I'll keep you all posted and if all goes well will post a pic of the place!