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Warsaw
The trip from Prague to Warsaw was not too memorable. Why? Very simple: the train left in the evening and arrived early the next morning and I did have a whole compartment for six people to myself.
Poland too does have its own currency. So, of course, my first task was again to get some local currency into my pocket. I did not spot any foreign currency exchange in close to the platforms so I proceeded further outside. And looked here. And looked there. And looked everywhere. It simply could not be that there was no foreign currency exchange at the main station of the capital. All I could imagine was that it might still be too early in the morning for them to open, but still, when international trains come in they usually are open for business, no matter what time it is and the station seemed to be busy enough anyway. Finally I approached one of the uniformed guys, some kind of security guard it seemed. While wandering around at the station I had quickly realized that their written language was a little bit comprehensible in places when you know German. But I couldn't catch anything at all when people were speaking. Well, the guy I asked did not seem to understand a word of English. No luck with German either and also my very rusty French, which I tried to gather together, did not bring us any further. I didn't bother asking him in Japanese, though. Finally I resorted to the common world language: use your hands, feet and whatever else you have. This did help. He now understood that I wanted to change Euro to Złoty and pointed out a window I had seen before and passed at least three times. Gosh, I had thought that was the counter for some kind of lottery, but in fact it was what I had been looking for all the time.
Having some money which would be accepted here, my next goal was Hostel Tamka, where I had a reservation. I knew it would be some way to walk, more than I was ready to go on foot with my heavy bag. I went to the bus terminal, rather unsure how the system worked and whether I would realize when I had to get off. So I was not thinking twice when I couldn't find the bus I needed to catch and saw a taxi rank. Not having to look around 
any further was worth a couple of coins. The driver did not know the hostel, but I did have the address handy and we were there in no time at all. Of course, I was much to early to check in, but all I wanted was to leave my luggage and go out to explore the city.
My very first impression of Warsaw was: this is a place where people live. It was only now that I realized I hadn't liked Prague too much. It didn't feel sterile or so, but it felt like it was a place for and with tourists only. Everyday life was missing, or at least hardly visible. Warsaw, however, looks and feels like a place mainly for the people living here. Also, the buildings are much cleaner. Like in other antique cities, like Venice or Budapest, the buildings in Prague are blackened and in constant repair. Here things looked much cleaner, fresher. Of course, they are newer, being mostly rebuilt since Warsaw was badly damaged during World War. There are many war memorial sites in Warsaw.
There is also the very beautifully done memorial park. When I went there, a crew of actors was shooting a scene over and over on the square in front of the entrance. It was only a short scene. About 30 people, all in coats, despite the rather hot weather, running to a bus and boarding. 
I watched them for a few minutes, they all seemed to be rather hot. I went into the park and spent a fair amount of time there. When I came back two hours later the poor actors were still doing the same scene and by now the sun was really burning down. Being an actor seems not to be all cake...
One thing which surprised me were prices in Warsaw. I had expected prices to be lower than back home, but most of the things had comparable prices. Life here must be very expensive for the locals. Also meals at some restaurants were in a range where, even back home, I would think twice before going there. And these did not seem to be very fancy restaurants, mind you. Compared to the rather high level of prices, some things were also in a poor state. While the hostel was still ok and surely better than some of the other places I had seen, the showers and toilets have seen better times.
At this hostel there gathered a distinctly international crowd. In Prague, I shared a room with a large bunch of Taiwanese girls, two Thai beauties, a guy from Singapore, an Italian guy and three other people, two possibly from Australia, Canada or the like. The majority were Asians. Here in Warsaw the crowd was of a different mix, English, American, Dutch, Spanish, but only very few Asians. Seems like Warsaw does not have a lot of magnetic power towards the Far East.
Here too, two days were enough for me, arriving in the morning of one day and leaving at night the next, was perfect. In the next train, however, I would spend a few more hours. Arrival in Moscow was scheduled some twentysix or so hours after leaving Warsaw. So I needed to buy some food and drink. The dark and heavy, slightly sour type of bread you can find is perfect for taking with you on trips. It stays fresh for many days, is very hard to spoil and tastes good.