— Orzis has been associated with the army for 150 years, says the city's mayor, Zbigniew Volodkowski. “Thanks to the soldiers, we have tourists all year round in Orzesz,” he adds.
According to the mayor of Orzysz, the tourist season in nearby Mikołajki ends in mid-August. – Our restaurants do not close all year round because American and other NATO soldiers appear there, explains the mayor.
Americans in Orzesz. A restaurant instead of a shoe store
The Americans are stationed in nearby Bemowo Piskie. Unfortunately, they appear in the city less often due to the cumbersome renovation of the intercity road. As an example of the soldiers' influence on the city, the mayor mentions the Dollar Restaurant, which they frequent in large numbers. Previously, the owner of Dollara had a shoe store here.
— Americans come and celebrate, and they are also very open to cooperation with the community and local government, adds the city mayor. what is he talking about? Well, they are school supervisors and often participate in local events. It also turned out that a large group of the population decided to improve their knowledge of the English language and it was the Americans who worked as teachers.
Americans prefer one flavor. They like sweet things
– Their tastes are chocolate and cheesecake, and they are not as open to flavors as the Poles – adds Malwina Kwiatkowska from a local pastry shop. He says about the Americans: – They are very nice and we make special requests for them. These are mainly required cakes for celebrations, cakes and donuts.
– They really like to eat sweet things, everything should be sweet – he laughs.
Orzysz residents also know that the military unit has a great Coca-Cola company. It seems to taste much better than Polish.
Americans were also seen at the Szwadron military store. Here they buy T-shirts with the Polish and American flags. They use it for training. “They also buy military knives and Kalashnikov bayonets,” says the squadron’s owner, Magda Celinska. -We order a lot of different patches for them from the embroidery store. They buy souvenirs, especially when they leave. Then they spend the last of their money, he adds.
Soldiers don't like kebab?
“They've been coming here ever since,” says Barbara Chilinska, owner of the kebab shop. – Every now and then someone will come, and now there are exercises, so there are more of them. When the weekend comes, they go to nearby Ełk, because there are more bars, restaurants and discos there. Soldiers also need to have fun after service, he explains.
-They are very good customers in our stores and restaurants. Thanks to this, money flows to entrepreneurs. “The situation is much better than it was before they arrived,” sums up the mayor. – When they sit outside in restaurant gardens, tourists treat them like bears in Zakopane, and everyone wants to take a picture with them – he admits.
Great maneuvers in Orzysz
American soldiers praise Polish cuisine
The Polish countryside is enriched by Americans
“Coffee enthusiast. Troublemaker. Incurable introvert. Subtly charming twitter scholar. Award-winning social mediaholic. Internet buff.”
