Photographic Snapshots - Part 1

I took the photograph at the end of July 2025 near the intersection of Aleje Jerozolimskie and Marszałkowska Street (Dmowski Roundabout).

And here is a photo taken right after the previous one was taken near the entrance to the underpass.

I captured this view on August 1, 2025, early in the morning after leaving the metro station (line M2) at Świętokrzyska Street.

Below, two photos taken at the underpass (Dmowskiego roundabout - intersection of Aleje Jerozolimskie - Marszałkowska) on August 1, 2025, around 6 a.m.

And now, after a long, drawn line, a photo of something I'd like to see disappear quickly, but as usual, it'll probably last for weeks. Here's a view of a destroyed inspection chamber on Limanowskiego Street in the Sadyba district of Warsaw. I pass it almost every day.

An unruly manhole in the sidewalk

The inspection chamber was of solid construction. It's located on the sidewalk, and pedestrians could walk on it for ages without harming it. It could have been, but that's what Warsaw drivers are for. If you can't easily turn around on a relatively narrow street, you can certainly use the sidewalk. It worked a few times. Eventually, the inspection chamber gave way, and under the pressure of a fancy car, the poor thing lost its utility. Incidentally, as you can see, the driver of the white Mercedes thinks it's okay to park his car on the sidewalk, since other impudent drivers have taken up all the available spaces. He'd probably park in his stairwell if he could. And it's closer to his apartment, and what a prestige he has with his neighbors.

The inspection chamber has been clearly marked as a dangerous spot for pedestrians. Days, even weeks, pass. I'll see when it's repaired. Drivers are probably also eagerly awaiting it. Now, unfortunately, they have to maneuver on the road again. Nasty inspection chamber!!!!

And now for a little diversion. I've been gazing at the installation shown below for years during family visits. I finally decided to take a photo of this strange structure. Here it is in all its glory.

Attention, attention - I'm about to fly away into space

As you can see, this is a gas meter. The meter itself, being a meter, is nothing unusual. What's interesting is the way the gas is supplied and discharged. The pipes and elbows used here can be used to build a pretty good gas installation. It's a nice sight, isn't it? It's interesting that the service technicians who occasionally check the meter aren't surprised by the sight. Apparently, gas installations in other apartments are even more interesting.

And so it happened. I grumbled and grumbled, and suddenly, the water drain in the sidewalk had been repaired. A few weeks have passed since then, but I haven't had the opportunity, the desire, or the energy to show the new drain, which I captured in this photo. Look and admire. Here it is, in all its glory.

Repaired manhole in the sidewalk

The tape restricting access to the manhole has now been removed. Pedestrians can now walk freely across it. Unfortunately, cars can also drive across it, using it as a parking lot or maneuvering area. This is evident from the numerous tire tracks. Just wait until the next disaster occurs.

(added 11/09/2025)

And now a little riddle. What is this?

A mysterious "towel" with a stylish hanging loop

I found this beautiful material object while tidying up my room at work. It must have been lying in the recesses of a cupboard for many, many years. Of course, I know what it is. However, I don't know how it ended up in my possession. I'll satisfy the curiosity of younger visitors to this site right away. This "something" comes from the Polish State Railways (PKP). A long time ago, I went on numerous business trips, and this towel probably got tangled in my luggage during one. It's possible, even very likely, that I received it as part of noise measurements inside passenger train carriages. I used to perform such measurements "regularly," not only for the railways, but also for various institutions dealing with noise control in the workplace.

(22.10.2025)

A photo of the beautiful tree by the Palace of Culture from Świętokrzyska Street. It's gorgeous!

(22.02.2026)

After a long period when Warsaw was covered in a thick layer of snow, a thaw has arrived. Today I was standing near Unia Lubelska Square. I don't remember which description I posted a few photos of how awful this place looks. When everything was covered in snow, it was somehow possible to stay here. And today, suddenly, the snow disappeared, and the naked truth was revealed. I couldn't resist and took a few photos, which you can compare with others posted in this section, in one of the articles.

Here's another photo of the impressive tenement house standing directly on the square. This building was recently renovated, as evidenced by the condition of the upper facade. The plaster is relatively light. The exhaust fumes haven't yet had time to destroy them, as the "artists" have done in the lower sections.

As you can see, nothing has changed since my previous autumn report. The only difference is the contents of the trash cans and a new set of alcoholic beverage bottles next to the containers, nomen omen, intended for glass packaging. Below is another photo of a section of the same building, this time from the side of Marszałkowska Street.

As a showcase of the capital - all that remains is to congratulate it (unfortunately, they also direct this remark to themselves as a resident of Warsaw).

At Unii Lubelskiej Square, another impressive building is still awaiting renovation. Unfortunately, it has remained untouched by construction for years.

Perhaps we should have asked the heroes who risked their lives to so magnificently decorate the upper sections of the nearby tenement building to carry out the renovation. I've already shown you these scribbles. Imagine, despite the harsh winter, they haven't faded at all.

And to end today's report, a glimmer of hope that better times may be coming. Renovations have begun nearby. The plaster will be brand new and ready for painting.

The only hope is that the scaffolding has been up for several weeks now, and work hasn't progressed yet. So perhaps the new facade won't be completed for another few years.