Wrzeciono – the new neighbourhood

What a sigh of relief. The first weekend not spent looking for a flat to rent or not moving. Formalities after the break-up completed, though lots of other stuff play out in the background (more about it in due course), I have found some time yesterday in the afternoon to stroll around the district and snap some pics.

Actually I was wary of renting a place in Wrzeciono (part of Bielany district). For those less familiar with the history of that housing estate – the blocks of flat, including the one have rented a studio (25 square metres) on the photo taken in 1969 to the right, were erected between 1968 and 1973 for workers of Huta Warszawa and were inhabited by those workers and their families. Needless to say the estate has differed much from the “highbrow” Ursynów…

To the right, council housing blocks by ul. Szegedyńska. Formely, those were two hotele robotnicze, purchased by the Warsaw town hall in 2004 and converted into flats for poor families. Some time ago a hotbed of manifold pathologies now is considered a safer place. A Straż Miejska’s outpost is on the ground floor, besides a modern multimedia library and community centre has been opened just round the corner.

Wrzeciono is full of contrasts. Since distances between buildings on housing estates built in the bleak days of communism were larger, new blocks were squeezed among older ones, therefore each new development borders the old one. On top, the distinctive feature of Wrzeciono are numerous rows of terraced garages. Sadly, many are used as clutter boxes, instead of serving as “homes” for cars. Consequently, finding a place to park a car after 8 p.m. on a working week day is a challenge.

Here, I approach ul. Dorycka, the most  infamous part of Wrzeciono. The spot gained notoriety for taking top positions in criminality statistics, for violence, thefts, vandalism, alcoholism, battles, drug trafficking, etc. To the right, the newly built development, Przy Doryckiej. I presume buyers of flats in there (those buying to meet their own housing needs) have little notion of how awful location it is. To the left, Okrąglak, with the customary shop with alcoholic beverages, open 24 hours a day for locals in need…

Back in late 1990s a prudent citizen would not show up here even in broad daylight. Today, one can feel safe, however while passing by an open-air drinking den, I feared taking out a camera to snap the peculiar hangout. I could only snap typical Pan Heniek and Pan Ziutek who have stocked up in Świat Alkoholi.

Having escaped from the underworld, I crossed ul. Kasprowicza and headed south-west past ul. Nocznickiego. Vicinity of the underground station has spurred a lot of new developments between ul. Nocznickiego and ul. Sokratesa. Seemingly, the location and the neighbourhood take one’s fancy. The catch is that a dual carriageway (extension of Trasa Mostu Północnego) that would join S7 expressway will run just next to tram tracks in a few years. Noise and fumes all day round guaranteed. Hint: check the zoning plans before buying a property!

I stroll towards my place through Wawrzyszew. Stawy Brustmanna are the most marvellous part of Bielany I suppose. The park surrounding two ponds, each with a fountain on the middle of it, has been brilliantly revitalised and are a lovely hangout on summer evenings. Sadly, I shall have little time in the coming weeks to enjoy it.

I get closer to home, from ul. Kasprowicza I spot the chimney of former Huta Warszawa. Their sight is far more breath-taking when they are illuminated by setting sun. They remind of one shot of music video to U2’s one (Berlin version)…

Did I ask too much?

More than a lot?

You gave me nothing

Now it’s all I got…