At first I wasn't very interested in going to Poland and those other countries we would visit in East Europe, but it didn't take long to realize this was going to be a very interesting trip.

Knowing a bit about the history of World War II, and wanting to know more,we were fascinated in seeing for ourselves what has to be considered a miracle.

In 1944, 40,000 members of the Polish Home Army rose up in Warsaw against the Nazis who had occupied Poland for almost five years. They expected help from the Allies, mainly the Soviet Red Army which was advancing from the east. But little aid came. The Soviets sat by and watched the Nazis level Warsaw. The rebellion was crushed within two months. Half of the partisans and more than 200,000 civilians were killed.

Then the Soviets moved in and stayed there, oppressing the Polish people for another 45 years, until communism finally fell apart.

After all they endured, it's a miracle they have survived and thrived.

After Hitler levelled 80% of their most important city , it's another miracle that the Poles were able to rebuild Warsaw. And it's so fortunate they chose to rebuild as it was before the war, rather than in the drab Soviet-style that was the custom of the day.

We respected and admired the Polish people before we visited them. We left with even more respect and admiration.