Many years ago I was born in Poland. I would like to return there for a short visit. My Canadian passport indicates Poland as a place of my birth. I would like to hear from those who were born there and returned after some time with passports others than Polish. What was your experience upon arrival in Warsaw? Did you feel safe?

Topping for Kristina...

Kristina,<BR><BR>There are a few of "us" contemplating a small group trip (non-commercial to CR, Budapest (maybe southern Poland) sometime in late spring 2003. Have any interest to you?<BR><BR>It was first mentioned on this thread:<BR><BR>http://www.fodors.com/forums/pgMessages.jsp?fid=2&tid=1357649<BR><BR>which I will "top" for you.<BR><BR>Do you speak any Polish now? I speak a little russian, interested in trying to improve skills in one or more other Eastern Europe languages.<BR><BR>Best wishes,<BR><BR>Rex<BR>

Kristina,<BR>"Did you feel safe" with a non-Polish passport ? What kind of (please, excuse me) stupid question is that ????<BR>I was born in Poland and keep returning there regularly with a non-Polish passport and I'm still alive ! Wow. You'll be fine. Just relax. <BR>Kristina, just how long ago did you leave Poland ?

<BR>Thinking about visiting Poland<BR><BR>The site http://www.voyage.gc.ca/destinations/menu_e.htm says <BR>Poland recognizes the right of its citizens to hold another citizenship. However, Polish citizens who have a second citizenship, including Canadian, may find that their second citizenship is not recognized by Polish authorities while in Poland. This may limit the ability of Canadian officials to provide consular services.<BR><BR>The site http://travel.state.gov/poland.html says <BR>Dual Nationality. Poland is now enforcing a law that requires Polish citizens to enter and depart Poland using a Polish passport (including Polish citizens who are also American citizens). Americans who are also Polish citizens or who are unsure if they hold Polish citizenship are advised to contact the nearest Polish consular office for information about citizenship requirements and travel documentation. Poland has compulsory military service for all males between the ages of eighteen and twenty-eight. A dual national would not be subject to conscription if he can prove that he does not live in Poland. While recognizing that some Americans are also citizens of other countries, the U.S. Government does not encourage its citizens to become or remain dual nationals due to an array of complications that may ensue from the obligations owed to the country of second nationality. Additional information about the U.S. Government's policy with respect to dual nationality may be found at the Bureau of Consular Affairs web site at http://travel.state.gov/dualnationality.html. <BR><BR>So I am not sure that it is easy to excuse Zosia. Still, this is Good Friday, so I do.<BR><BR>Both websites carry notes on pickpockets, swarmers, and other irritants to tourists.<BR><BR>

<BR>Thinking about visiting Poland<BR><BR>The site http://www.voyage.gc.ca/destinations/menu_e.htm says <BR>Poland recognizes the right of its citizens to hold another citizenship. However, Polish citizens who have a second citizenship, including Canadian, may find that their second citizenship is not recognized by Polish authorities while in Poland. This may limit the ability of Canadian officials to provide consular services.<BR><BR>The site http://travel.state.gov/poland.html says <BR>Dual Nationality. Poland is now enforcing a law that requires Polish citizens to enter and depart Poland using a Polish passport (including Polish citizens who are also American citizens). Americans who are also Polish citizens or who are unsure if they hold Polish citizenship are advised to contact the nearest Polish consular office for information about citizenship requirements and travel documentation. Poland has compulsory military service for all males between the ages of eighteen and twenty-eight. A dual national would not be subject to conscription if he can prove that he does not live in Poland. While recognizing that some Americans are also citizens of other countries, the U.S. Government does not encourage its citizens to become or remain dual nationals due to an array of complications that may ensue from the obligations owed to the country of second nationality. Additional information about the U.S. Government's policy with respect to dual nationality may be found at the Bureau of Consular Affairs web site at http://travel.state.gov/dualnationality.html. <BR><BR>So I am not sure that it is easy to excuse Zosia. Still, this is Good Friday, so I do.<BR><BR>Both websites carry notes on pickpockets, swarmers, and other irritants to tourists.<BR><BR>

Thank you both for your help. <BR>Ben<BR>Thanks for this great information and websites. This is what worries me about returning. I don't want to be surprised and asked to provide some documents when I get there, I rather have everything ready before my trip. <BR><BR>Rex<BR>Thanks for your offer but if I go it will be in the fall (first two weeks of September) as I would like to return to Tatras for hiking and that would be imposible in the spring.<BR>I did not forget Polish but hardly spoke for last 20 years. I live in a small rural community and there are no other Poles around and my husband is Canadian

Almost forgot to thank Topper<BR>Thank you Topper

If other plans don't materialize (hoping for a trip Galicia to Bretagne), I might be interested in a trip to Central Europe in September anyway. There is more than enough for two differen trips with two different kinds of focus. And the idea of the Tatras is very appealing to me.<BR><BR>Are you interested in any of southeastern Czech Republic to go along with Poland?<BR>

Topper says you're welcome<BR>

While there, be sure to visit Dachau and Auswicz to recall your fine Polish history.

David, have you no knowledge of history. Over 3 million Poles were murdered in Auswitch, many of the intellectuals, teachers, doctors etc were among them. The Enigma machine was invented in Poland and smuggled to England to help break the Nazi codes. The Polish people did more to help hide Jews and any country in Europe (even though it meant death) while the US <BR>turned them away.<BR>BTW Dachau is in Germany not Poland.<BR>

Oh yeah, Art, the Poles were great friends of the Jews. Those 3 million "Poles" that were murdered in the camps were mainly Jews. While there were instances of Poles hiding Jews, that number was miniscule in relation to the number of Jews being rounded up and the number of Poles who either did nothing or actually were complicit in turning on the Jews. My father's family was turned into the Nazis by Poles that they had known their whole life.<BR><BR>And while Dachau may have been in Germany, there were no shortage of Death Camps in Poland.

And one more thing, Art. There were approximately three times more Polish Jews killed than Jews from any other European Country. The Poles worked hand in hand with the SS.

Sorry, but I have to agree with David. I have done much research and reading on the Holocaust for my job and many, many Poles helped the Nazis do their dirty work in Poland because of anti-semitism and greed. One of the reasons the Poles aided the Nazis was because they wanted the land, houses, and other property, ie furniture, clothing, etc., from the "disappearing" Jews. There were many people in Europe who aided the Nazis, however, and you can't just lay the entire episode on the Poles. Many people were culpable, and that is no reason NOT to visit Poland. I would go just to bear witness to Auschwitz alone.

to the top<BR>

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David, your response was totally inappropriate. While I suspect you may be too young to know better, that suspicion would display the same prejudice to the young that you display to a whole population.<BR><BR>Poland lost a significant portion of it's population during WWII, including a sizable portion of it's non-Jewish population( refer to "Forgotten Holocaust"). That does not excuse the actions of those who took advantage of the situation nor those who gave in to their anti-semitic proclivities. Perhaps you should find a more appropriate forum for your posts and be prepared to deal with replies finding fault with the current actions in the mideast.

Kristina sounds like a neat adventure.<BR>I have not been but my brother just got back. He purchased some beautiful amber jewelry for me while there. He said he prefered Krakow over Warsaw. He thought it was much more interesting. Sorry this is not much help. Have a nice trip!