Gdansk, Poland

This medieval town has played a remarkable role in several major events of European history. First, we visited the port where the first shots of WWII were fired by supposedly "friendly" German warships docked overnight across from a Polish military transit point. There were approximately 2,000 Germans against 160 Poles. The Poles managed to resist for 7 days, but this encounter eventually ignited the war. Interesting side note, our guide told us that this lighthouse in the port was modeled after one in good ol' Cleveland, Ohio. We later had a unique opportunity to visit a museum dedicated to the Solidarity movement and the meager way of life under Soviet rule. Solidarity began with shipyard workers uniting in order to demand workers' rights, and eventually unified the entire country in a movement which helped bring down the Iron Curtain in Poland.

Jon says that every European town has its monument dedicated to Neptune and, of course, Gdansk was no exception. This Neptune Fountain was a central feature of the old medieval town center, protecting the port city. There was a large national festival going on while we were in town, so the streets were packed and practically pulsating. It was another beautiful old town with lots to see and entertain the eyes!