One thing I can certainly say about the annual IAJGS conference is that it is never boring. Today I saw two of my own cousins, several clients and numerous friends and colleagues from all over the world.  What I didn’t get to see was Warsaw! I understand from those who, unlike me, did get out and about that the Polin Museum is exceptional and that the old city was very moving.

When I did get out of the hotel, it was dinner time, and although we went to the same restaurant as last night – the Red Hog, we were told after being seated, that there was a problem with their cash register system and that until it was repaired, they couldn’t serve any more food, so we went down the road to their sister restaurant: Folk Gospoda. This restaurant, because of its outside decor is very noticeable!

Dinner was wonderful – Russian perogie for me – basically a dumpling stuffed with potatoes, cheese and onions, accompanied by a mug of clear borscht.  Oh, and did I mention the bread?  Dessert was a terrific Polish cheesecake topped with white chocolate accompanied by a small scoop of some fruit flavored ice.

I know that none of this has anything to do with research, or so you would think. Genealogy is more than just dates on a timeline and lists of names. It’s also understanding the culture our ancestors lived in and this of course means food.

Where you might well ask is the photo of the noticeable decor?