Caution: Little Kid with Big Umbrella

We had a early evening rain shower and Bryson and Grandma Jane grabbed umbrellas and went for a little walk. The umbrella was a little hard for Bryson to handle.

Bug Bites

While I was in Poland and Jane was visiting family in Utah, Seth went on a three-day rafting trip. While the float down the river was for the most part enjoyable, the mosquitoes were awful. Seth estimates that he came home with over 200 bites. I think his estimate is low. What do you think?

A Day with Elder Guthrie and Elder Smith in Poland

On my last day in Warsaw, Poland I decided to excuse myself from a lot of meetings that didn't really relate to my job and go visit Nephew Kevin down in Krakow (pronounced Krakov). It was a three-hour train ride each way. The 6:15am train was very nice and between my nap and a book the time went really fast. On the way home I got the crummy train where we were packed in tight and people had to stand and sit in the aisles for the 3-hour ride home. I had a seat but my knees and feet were touching the person facing me so I had to sit more or less motionless for the three hour ride back to Warsaw. There was no air conditioning and the sun was beating my face most of the time, but it was definitely worth it.

Kevin and his companion met me at the train station about 10am, and we visited some of the local sites that were within an easy walk. We also stopped to talk to one of their contacts that owns a souveneer shop (I bought a hat and shirt to help out with the relationship). We had a yummy lunch of "kebab" which the Elders pronounce "kaybob". We visited a castle where the Kings of Poland (and the past President) are buried. The four or five hours went be very quickly, but it was fun seeing Kevin and his companion in their area.

Outside the train station

At a castle overlooking the river that flooded in the Spring

Inside a local Catholic Church

Down in the burial crypts

A contact that they are working on

Giving directions to visitors at the castle

In the castle courtyard

Castle panorama

Ordering some kebab for lunch

Looks like a Polish taco to me

Elder Guthrie and Elder Smith in Krakow, Poland from randy guthrie on Vimeo.

Poland Day Two

Yesterday most of our student competitors arrived and I spent the day in the lobby hanging out with the other Microsoft folks and waiting for the students to arrive. Across the square from our hotel is one of the main event venues: the Palace of Culture. We are setting up an outdoor theater in front of the main entrance for our Opening Ceremonies tonight. The palace is built right at the corner of the famous Ghetto where the Polish Jews were forced to lived and then eventually exterminated in 1943 by the Nazis. In the evening, people hang out in the surrounding parks. One street musician playing a tuba had a very interesting approach to his music.

Street Muscian with a Twist from randy guthrie on Vimeo.

Arrival in Poland

I have been in Warsaw, Poland for about four hours now. My hotel is located in the city center, and seems like a good location. I am sharing a room with a colleague, which is typical for these kids of events, but our room is pretty small. I have a twin-sized bed rather than a queen. I flew from Denver to Frankfurt and then Frankfurt to Warsaw. I am 8 hours ahead of Denver time. I have already talked to Kevin Guthrie; he is about two hours south of where I am by train. I'm sure if I will have time to see him but I'll try. It took 14 hours to get here and I didn't sleep on the plane, so I am pretty tired and am going to bed. Check out the video I took in the rest room in the Lufthansa frequent flier lounge. I'm always amazed at the level of automation that never catches on in the US.

Airport Toilet in Frankfurt from randy guthrie on Vimeo.