What an amazing time it was to be in Wrocław, with Christmas Markets and holiday spirit in the air as everyone bundles up and enjoys a hot cup of Gluhwein. A friend of mine compared that similar feeling to Glasgow. She said, “You know, Glasgow is cold, but when you’re there, you have this warm and fuzzy feeling. It’s like Christmas year round.” Then, I heard it again while on my flight to Wrocław. The Polish man sitting next to me said, “Glasgow may not be the most beautiful city or the most warm, but there is just something in the air there.” It has now become my favourite way to describe Glasgow. Wrocław and Glasgow may have this in common, but there are, of course, a number of differences I noticed this weekend.
I decided to visit Wroclaw, Poland when I was searching RyanAir for cheap flights from Glasgow. Realising how beautiful and colourful Wroclaw was and how cheap it would be to not only fly there but spend four days there, I purchased a ticket immediately.
I didn’t know what to expect when coming to Poland. The only thing I really got the scoop on was what to eat and drink, as I have the privilege of having a Polish friend. The first thing I thought when I arrived was, “Wow! It’s not windy. This is great.” Turned out to not be so great. Poland was FREEZING. I mean, really, it was extremely cold. I had on three layers, a scarf, gloves, jeans, fuzzy socks and boots. None of that helped too much because my fingers and toes were still numb and I was still shivering. Coming back to Glasgow, I actually appreciated the wind and rain because at least I could put on all of those layers and not be on the verge of freezing to death.
Another thing about Wrocław is how colourful it is. That’s not something you see very much of in Glasgow, as the city boasts Victorian architecture with hues of red and blond sandstones. Whereas, Wroclaw’s architecture is more of a baroque style with colourful German mannerist. I was completely blown away by the beauty of it all. I think Glasgow’s architecture is equally as magnificent though; you just have to look up and notice it.
Something else I picked up on is that Polish people are much quieter than the Scottish, and especially quieter than Americans. I noticed my friends and I being the loudest ones among crowds (typical North Americans).
It was interesting though. I live on one of the noisiest and busiest streets in Glasgow, so if I’m in on a Saturday night, it’s a given that I’m going to hear people on the streets shouting and cursing at one another until at least four in the morning, but that was not the case on a Saturday night in Wrocław. They still seemed to maintain their quiet mannerisms.
Truly though, I loved my time in Wrocław, and I would definitely visit again (continuing my gnome search for sure). Wandering through the Christmas Market, eating delicious traditional dumplings, and drinking Gluhwein and an assortment of interesting beers with a group of wonderful friends definitely makes for a successful weekend, even if it means sacrificing all possible warmth.
