Warsaw: The Camp inside the Bushes

As the snow came and went quickly, and the temperature thankfully rose a little for a while, I was able to get a clearer view of the small camp made by the men who live in the bushes.

As can be seen, they seem to be sleeping inside homemade, tent-like structures made from soft plastic sheeting. 

Unfortunately, the temperature has fallen again to about zero so I hope that the men who have been living in the bushes have already moved somewhere warmer for winter.

Two More Good Polish Beers

Two more good Polish beers that I've tried recently.

The one above, Braniewo Chmielone, is from northern Poland, and, as the name suggests, is a hoppy-tasting lager (which is right up my street).

In contrast, the lager below is lighter (in colour, strength and taste) from the Bieszczady Mountain area of south-east Poland:

Warsaw: The Arkadia Christmas Tree

Caught my first sight of the Arkadia (shopping centre) Christmas Tree today.

A few more Christmas decorations seem to have gone up inside Arkadia too:
 

Dikanda Live at Warsaw Progresja 3rd December 2017

Really glad I got to see the Polish Folk/World Music group, Dikanda, last night:

Came across Dikanda while searching for new music on Youtube a few months ago.  Through this, I knew that the music would be excellent and the atmosphere electrifying last night (and I wasn't disappointed).

Also enjoyed the part when the band's friend and guest musician, Mustafa El Boudani, joined the band on stage:

It just gave a nice change of dynamic, a soothing part to the proceedings.

And then it was back on with the electrifying, at times, mesmeric stuff:

For some time, I was wondering where the wonderful guitar work was coming from, and then I found out:

My favourite tune of the night was probably always going to be 'Jokoriste Czarno':

Find this tune beautifully melodic and full of feeling, followed by some wonderful improvisation.  With the great trumpet play, Dikanda kind of remind me of Calexico at times.

Also really liked the anthemic-type 'Usti Usti Baba':

Think that the two female vocalists, Ania Witczak and Katarzyna Bogusz, sing wonderfully well in tandem together.

And, of course, the band and their guest musicians were always going to get a great ovation after a rousing two-hour or so set.

So glad I got out to see Dikanda last night.  Don't really like gigs on Sunday because they make me feel shattered for the upcoming working week, but seeing Dikanda last night was well worth the effort.  Two hours or so of musical magic went by as if in a shot.

Warsaw: Klub Hydrozagadka Mural

Couldn't help but notice this mural outside the Klub Hydrozagadka.  For me, it looks something like a cross between an alien cat, the Wizard of Oz scarecrow, and a malevolent-looking duck.

Broen Live at Warsaw Hydrozagadka 1st December 2017

Glad I got to the Hydrozagadka early last night to catch Norwegian band, Broen, opening for (Icelandic band) Mammut.

Despite not being exactly my kind of music, I found Broen interesting and melodic enough.

Didn't even know if anybody was opening for Mammut last night, so Broen were a nice surprise.

Here's a tune from Broen last night:

Mammut Live at Warsaw Hydrozagadka 1st December 2017

Really enjoyed Mammut at the Hydrozagadka (a small club) in Warsaw last night:

Discovered Mammut on KEXP (I think) about a year ago while looking at 'new bands' on Youtube, and instantly liked their (kind of indefineable) music.  Then, a few months ago, I saw that the band would be playing Warsaw and had to go and see them.

Last night, Mammut came on with 'Breathe Into Me' which is a wonderful psychaedelic-type tune, one of my two favourite Mammut songs:

The band also did my favourite other tune of theirs, 'Salt':

To be honest, the whole of the 75-80 minute or so set was wonderful.

The small crowd who braved the cold weather to watch the concert, got a gem of a gig.  Really hope I get to see Mammut again.