Boleslawiec Polish Pottery Festival

One of the first things I have learned about Army wives is that they love Polish pottery.  Now I am partial to Army wives stationed in Europe, as this has been our only duty station, BUT it seems fair to say that stateside Army wives would love Polish pottery too.  I for one am a fan!  Polish pottery is not only pretty and colorful, but it is also quite functional for those wives that aren't always fond of dishes (they are dishwasher safe, oven safe, basically anything safe).

It is a shame (but blessing for our bank account) that my first trip to Poland to go Polish pottery shopping happened to be 3 weeks before permanently leaving Europe.  I could have had a fully loaded kitchen if we were here one more year ;)

Alas, Justin was sweet enough to let us take one last trip in our car (it gets shipped to the States this week) to go to the Polish Pottery Festival in Boleslawiec, Poland.  It was a 4 hour drive, but the German countryside is so beautiful that those hours were precious, as it was definitely our last time seeing that scenery and driving on the autobahn.

When we made it to Poland we headed straight to the festival.  On our way we walked by a famous ceramic museum, but since it was Sunday the museum was closed.  So, we walked around the festival checking out all the stalls.  There was not only Polish pottery, but many ceramic stalls, along with many food stalls and other odds and ends.  There was also plenty of entertainment, which included a hamster-wheel-type-contraption that had musical men playing inside of it (see below).

Hamster wheel of music and men

Polish band complete with dancers

While enjoying the entertainment, we also chowed down on some Polish food.  Waffles must be really popular in Boleslawiec, because it seemed like every other stall was selling waffles.  So of course, we tried some waffles, along with sausage, pork, potatoes, beer, and slushies (haven't had one of those since my 7-11 days back in Colorado).

Mmmmm!

After replenishing with some food, we watched potters help kids make their own bowls and painters decorate flowers on people's arms and legs.

Fascinating to watch

Next, we headed to the downtown platz, complete with a rathaus, fountains, an old church, and more stalls with pottery.  This is where we made our first purchase, a beautiful teapot, and for quite a good deal too!

Rathaus and fountains on the ground

Old church and stalls behind us

Pottery fun

Cute display in the square

  
After enjoying the festival for a bit, we drove to some Polish pottery shops to find larger selections.  On our way to the car we came across a few fun finds.

Giant pottery was all over the town

Justin the bug

We went to two factories, which were quite crowded.  It was fun to browse the shops, looking for special keepsakes to take home with us.  We were also on a mission to find 12 different bowls for my friend, Jill, which was a success.  It was fun seeing all the different patterns, styles, and pieces of pottery.  Some might say it was even overwhelming.

Outside a pottery shop

Pottery on display

So much pottery!

Along with Jill's bowls and our teapot, we also bought a casserole dish, an awesome tea mug complete with a spoon and tea holder, and a mini tea set.  
 

Mini tea set

Casserole dish

It was definitely a quick trip, followed by a 4 hour drive home.  However, I can call myself an official European stationed Army wife now that I have been to Poland to go Polish pottery shopping.  Added bonus, I went during a festival!

P.S. We enjoyed our last adventure driving on the autobahn too!  Complete with 100 mile per hour speeds, legal beer drinking (only the passenger, of course), and back road craziness thanks to a wet road and some sort of accident.  All in all, our whimsical trip to Poland was a great way to move our country count to ten :)

Sporting Justin's sunglasses

Sipping on a brew (legally, mind you)