Happy Christmas

Top of the "kiss me" booth

I don't know what your traditions are, but in Poland, today was the Christmas time. We broke Holly bread and wished each other best, we shared a meal and opened presents (that Santa brought:).

Christmas mill

I'd start with wishing everybody most greatest and happiest Christmas. But also I wanted to say some, maybe harsh words. I believe that Christmas is not only a time of celebrating Christ being born. It is a tradition that makes families, that spend so much time apart come together. It's time that people make effort for the other ones they love.

Christmas fun

One that argues a lot is being nice to others. Nobody complains about food that's been burnt. Just extra niceness. I have prepared meal for my family today, but by the time they came nothing was ready. So I engaged one in gift wrapping, other one with christmas tree decorating and another with table accessible. But no one minded it. Because it's Christmas (but maybe because we love each other and despite the faults we want to be around each other).

My cookie decoration

I read today that many people don't know what to get for loved ones. I say: listen to them, there is always a clue... Someone says their back is aching, someone would say they can't find remote. These are the clues. I did listen this year and guess what... not only happy faces... faces that had real joy and sparkle in their eyes.

#magiajarmarku

Also the fact, that the gifts are given doesn't mean that the celebration is over. Go to your extended family. Take them for a walk spend time together. Enjoy the company. As corny as they might be, they are your experience and happiness in live. Celebrate your time together. No matter how much it is. Once you realize that it was for you to treasure and keep.

Christmas smell - Christmas tree

The Great Mill

This particular part of Gdansk architecture hold special place in my heart. Back in '90 I earned my first money, a lot of money (according to me back then :) this is where I spend it. Back then it was the fist shopping mall in Gdansk, if you even can call it that. It was a building filled with shops so I guess it meets the criteria. But even then it was so much more than that.

It is a beautiful building, it really is. I might be my fondness of it, but I really, really like that building :) The funny thing is, that I didn't even realise what history this building holds until now. And let me tell you, there is a history.

The mill was built in 1349 by Teutonic Order. The mill is placed on man-made island. The mill was used for milling rye, wheat and also barley and oats. At its best it help 18 mill wheels. The mill was a big deal, it generated income that apparently was worth fighting for. At first opportunity Gdansk city jumped to be the owner of the mill.

There is a nice part on the side of the mill and at the back of the mill there is a restaurant, which looks nice from outside, but I never been there so cannot comment on menu :)

Also there is a internet bench there, which stream live images, so when you sit there make sure your friends are watching :)

Overall, I love this building ( I think it's kind of obvious :). In the inside you can see reminiscence of the old mill.

Which you have to go inside to see. Oh, yeah :)

Green Lantern

Today I took advantage of my family member, who wanted to spend some time with me. Of course, he had different idea of what we would do. However as the weather was favourable today, a walk by seaside was in store. Unfortunately, by the time we were able to get out, the sun hid behind clouds. However I shouldn't complain as in December we have temperature of 10 degrees Celsius and mild cold wind.

Do you see it? Green lighthouse...

Few months ago I heard about breakwater being open to public. Till then this area was restricted to port free zone. Not only the breakwater offers different viewpoint of the bay, there is also a green lighthouse at the end of it.

I see Gdynia ...

Since it was open around six months ago, the path is a little rough, but I read that there are plans of renovating it and also of opening a cafe on breakwater. It certainly is nice place to have coffee :)

But, to be honest, I didn't mind the path. For some, I'm sure, it will be a bit uncomfortable and not too pleasant with high fence on one side. Some also could complaint about "rubbish" at the bottom of the cliff. As I was explained by my companion, the reason for the concrete blocks is to protect the cliff from falling apart, as the waves would wear it down.

I liked little bays made of stone - sort of little viewpoints. I also liked writings on the stones, but not all of them - some were unfortunately profanities :( but some were love confessions, or just memory marks.

When it comes to the history of the breakwater and its green lighthouse I didn't find much information. What I found was one old picture of the lighthouse, which doesn't look like lighthouse at all.

I also read that the green lighthouse and breakwater is part of port entrance. The lighthouse has a twin - red lighthouse, which is located on eastern breakwater. I hope there is access to that lighthouse as I would like to visit it very much.

Can you see the red lighthouse?