Poland: Dinner in the sky

If you're afraid of heights then this might not be for you. Suspended high above in Manufaktura diners are strapped into their seats for the Legendary Dinner in the sky®. Now in 35 countries, the Polish version in Lodz opened during fashion week, take a look for yourself.

Poland: They won't let me buy bananas

It's somewhat of a ritual for me. Exploring grocery stores may seem mundane for some, for me it's like heading to culinary Disneyland. There are other worlds out there with produce so weird and wonderful that a trip overseas would not be complete without purchasing at least a few goodies. My motto: see what the locals eat, do what the locals do and try with all your might to fit in. This has proven to work for and against me.

Each country undoubtedly has its own grocery shopping protocol. As I headed to "Real" mega-market in Lodz I catiously entered, prepared to battle the inevitable language barrier, flamboyant packaging and foreign food goods, if of course I could find them. There were washing machines and blenders, socks and stockings, makeup and medicine. As I wandered the aisles I feared I might never find the food.

There were cabbages on sale, kiwi fruit on offer. Endless amounts of cheese and meats, fresh fish and diary. I played it safe and grabbed a couple of bananas and other snacks. I hate to admit it, but I actually found a giant packet of Cheetos which found their way into my basket as well.

I checked my watch. I had only minutes before my driver would transport me to fashion week. I lined up and waited to battle the final frontier, the checkout.

The cashier, much like grocery cashiers the world over, was not overly pleasant and scanned my goods with an unenthusiastic vibe. Cheese, check. Salami, check. Nuts, check. Mega packet of Cheetos, check. Bananas, stop.

She held up the bananas and said something to me in Polish. From her tone, I'd obviously done something wrong.

When I explained I can't speak Polish she proceeded to confiscate my bananas. Shaking them at me first to bring hom her point - whatever that was.

I acquiesced and let her have my bananas. But why? Was I not allowed to break off two bananas? Did I need to put them in a bag? Was it because she thought I was American? Are Americans not allowed to buy bananas in Poland? All of these questions and more popped into my head as I paid and waited for a plastic bag to pack my groceries.

And waited...

Turns out there are no plastic bags in Poland. So I gathered my cheese, salami, cheetos, water and nuts and stuffed them into my $500 Ro Bag. Still none the wiser why my bananas had been confiscated. I actually really wanted them.

Turns out, you have to weigh them yourself before getting to the cashier. A handy note to us all. Write it down in your travel journal for the next time you grocery shop in Poland!

Poland: The ghost factories of Lodz

In the late 19th century, Lodz was the hub of the textile industry. A booming town of industrial growth, factories housing thousands of workers made up the towering landscape of this sprawling town. The collapse of the textile industry however, quickly turned it into a ghost town with workers swarming to Warsaw, two hours away to find work. What is left is the most amazing array of abandoned factories, some pegged for renovation, others for demolition.

Before this one becomes a mall myself and a lucky few, got a sneak preview into the eery history of Lodz's past.

Lodz, Poland

It was Lodz (pronounced wooodz) rather than Warsaw that proved to be my final destination in Poland. After arriving at the airport I was met by my driver who gathered the four of us (from Milan, Madrid, Berlin and New York) into the waiting mini-van. I calculated my schedule: approximately 20 minutes to the hotel, a 40 minute nap, rehydrate, shower, dress, hit the first fashion show at 3pm, a struggle but doable. Little did I know Lodz was 2 hours away!

Once the shining star of Poland's textile industry this Polish version of Williamsburg houses an amazing array of old abandoned factories now turned into amazing hotels, loft apartments and a venue for fashion week.

Driving through the countryside however, I was glad for the chance to be a tourist, even if it meant giving up sleep for yet another day.

After passing McDonalds, Burger King and KFC (while listening to a Madonna mega-mix on the radio) I was glad to finally get to the Polish countryside complete with tractors, old ladies on pushies and acres of farming land.