[Ger-Poland-Volhynia] A seminar in Poland?

[Mike McHenry]

Otto is absolutely right about having someone fluent in Polish. You can get
around alright without it, but if you want to investigate you're dead
without it.  Car rentals are a concern because theft is a big problem. The
car rental companies try to get you for every ding or minor dent at return.
The roads are often terrible and the driving worse. I personally drove 600
miles there. If you could arrange a Polish driver for a group, I highly
recommend it. If you go after the end of tourist season the big hotels are
reasonable.

                                        Mike

-----Original Message-----
From: Otto [mailto:otto at schienke.com] 
Sent: Wednesday, October 25, 2006 12:47 PM
To: S G G E E
Cc: Mike McHenry
Subject: Re: [Ger-Poland-Volhynia] A seminar in Poland?
Importance: High

A few comments that may be of assistance to individuals in grasping  
what is involved in any proposed trip.
-Time of year is a significant factor-

Warsaw- A well chosen locus, a central point. Two countries would be  
involved considering areas already mentioned previously.
A few North locations are Russia, almost all locations are Poland, a  
few South locations are Russia.

Some thoughts for consideration...
They are basic broad categories that will need personal refinement to  
suit a group venture.
If traveling by car, allow yourself an hour for every 40 miles traveled.
(there are many details that Mike, or I, or other members, can give  
answer to as aids to visualization)

The four main factors of concern with any location are the following:
1. Someone in the group fluent in the local language (necessary)
2. Someone in the group willing to assume responsibility of group leader
(coordinator of arrangements)(preplanning of sites and archives to be  
visited)
3. Transportation (personal car rental or Polish driver and car)
4. Lodging (rooming at parishes can be inexpensive)


On Oct 25, 2006, at 11:20 AM, Mike McHenry wrote:

> Anyone flying from North America is probably going through Warsaw.  
> Would it
> make more sense to have it there and split into groups to our interest
> areas? Mine for instance is the upper Vistula. Chelm looks like 150  
> miles
> from Warsaw.
>
>                                         Mike

. . .   Otto

             " The Zen moment..." wk. of October 15, 2006-
                   ________________________________
                      "Dreams seem so real... life different?"