Plot:

The film begins with Janusz, a Polish POW, being interrogated for sabotage and espionage by a Soviet officer; however, he refuses to admit guilt. It then becomes apparent that his wife has been compelled to sign a statement accusing him of criticizing the Communist Party and Stalin, and acting as a spy for foreign powers. On the basis of this statement, Janusz is sentenced to twenty years in the Gulag.

At the camp in Siberia, Janusz meets Mr. Smith, an American, in the food queue. After being served, Janusz gives some of his soup to a starving, elderly inmate. Mr. Smith remarks that food is valuable and 'kindness can kill you here'.

Other inmates that Janusz encounters include an actor named Khabarov, a Russian criminal, Valka, who stabs another inmate in order to use his clothes to pay a gambling debt, and Tamasz, who makes a living by sketching erotic drawings in exchange for food and clothes. There are also Kazik, a 17 year old Pole who suffers from night blindness, Voss, a Latvian priest, and Zoran, a Yugoslav accountant with a cynical sense of humour. Khabarov confides to Janusz that he has a plan for escaping. After a lengthy discussion, they agree to hoard food until the end of winter, when they will both escape. They plan their route southwards to Mongolia, passing Lake Baikal. Some time later, on mine duty, Mr Smith tells Janusz that Khabarov is in fact lying about his desire to escape in order to improve his own morale. He adds that, in his opinion, escape is impossible but Janusz maintains his resolve. Valka, who feels his life is under threat due to gambling debts, demands that Janusz includes him in the escape.

One evening during a blinding snowstorm, Janusz decides to implement the escape plan. Mr Smith, Valka, Zoran, Voss, Tamasz, and Kazik escape with him. The snowstorm increases in intensity and the escapees consider returning to the camp. Janusz insists that the weather increases their chance of escape and cuts masks for the group from the bark of trees. The masks protect their faces while leaving eye holes through which they can see. Aided by the masks the group continue on into the forest leaving the pursuing guards behind ...

I had a nice birthday week end in LONDON. I had to deal with a few problems on the way in but in the end everything went back to normal. I was very busy within these four days.

Day 1:

I checked in. The Caesar Hotel is a lovely boutique hotel. I may go back there next time I go to London. Then I took the tube to go to the Adelphi Theatre to see the musical: "Love never dies" which is the second part of the "Phantom of the opera" (which I had seen many years ago visiting Toronto).

Day 2:

I walked all day !  I went to Marble Arch first then kept going all the way down to Oxford Sreet where I shopped a bit to arrive on Regent Street where I turned left (after a long stop at TopShop) in order to arrive at Picadilly Circus. I continued to Leicester Square (where I had lunch) and had a little look at China Town. Then went to Trafalgar Square. After a few pictures taken, I went to the National Art Gallery and to the National Portrait Gallery. On my way out I walked downto Big Ben. I did not go to Tate Modern to see Gauguin exhibition as planned as a friend of mine told me it was not very good! end of the day I walked back to the hotel ...

Day 3:

This time I ride the metro all day not without difficulties as the main lines were closed on the week end for maintenance. I first went to Knightsbridge to go to Harrod's and to the V & A museum where I saw a very interesting temporary exhibition on Diagilev. I stopped at H & M and Harvey Nichols and took the metro to Camdem Town. In Camdem my main goal was to pay a visit at the Cyberdog Shop (amazing shop! Loved the music) together with the little indian shop (Ali baba cave) near it, which I DID. Camdem was very crowded. I stopped also at Waterstone's bookstore to get Barbara Streisand's book "My passion for Design" and went back to the hotel to get rid of all my shopping bags to go out again to go to the movie theatre. At first I had intented to see "Love & Other drugs" or "The king's speech" but I ended up to see "The way back". It is such a great movie ! I loved it !

Back to the hotel late at night, I packed as I could not sleep.

Day 4:

My last day in LONDON. I had a lovely birthday chocolate muffin especially made for me. Got breakfast, checked out and went for a last walk before to go to Heathrow Terminal 5. I took the metro and went to the British Museum. Shopped a bit for a couple of little gifts to give away and then headed to Notting Hill. It was very quite as the market was not on. I took a couple of pictures and had lunch at Itsu. Then I was tired and wanted to leave therefore I went back to the hotel to collect my luggage and took the metro to the airport. 

Today it is my birthday ! Happy Birthday TO ME ...

May the best of my past be the worst of my future.

Hope my birthday blossoms into lots of dreams come true.

May today be filled with sunshine and smiles, laughter and love.

I hope all my birthday dreams and wishes come true.

Today I am flying to London and shall be back on Tuesday. No internet connection during this long weekend abroad ...

Waow ... waow ... waow ... This one is perfect ! Look at this :

200 square meters, on the eleventh floor, 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1 living room, a huge balcony and a sea view. 145 000TL

IF ONLY I COULD ...

2011 - Resolution No. 1:

* Bonne Année * Happy New Year * Buon Anno *

* Gutes Neues Jahr * Yeni yılınız kutlu olsun, iyi yıllar *

Meilleurs voeux de Santé, Bonheur, Prospérité, Longue vie et que vos rêves les plus fous se réalisent ...

All the best for 2011 ...

Auguri ...

Ich wünsche euch ein tolles sylvester und ein wundervolles neues jahr ...

Yeni yıl bizlere kutlu olsun. Yeni yıl sizlere de kutlu olsun. Sağlık, başarı ve mutluluk dolu olsun ...