What are driving conditions like? How are the roads? Are petrol stations easily available? Any tips I should know about? How is driving after dark? Are the roads around Lublin OK?
I don't know about Lublin but most main roads throughout Poland are under construction, E.U. gives a lot of money towards infrastructure.
Are supermarkets widely available?
Yes
I am diabetic
I cannot honestly help you there.
walk with a cane
No problems there, as far as I know.
I collect militaria. Is there any place (shop, flea market, etc) that you can recommend where I can find older military items?
"Antyki", Antique shops are you best bet, you will love some of the really interesting stuff they have here, it is paradise for someone who likes it.
am asking for clues how to travel, stay, eat, etc cheaply.
Try to stay just outside cities, it is cheaper to stay in the country and you should be able to drive in to the city if needs be.
Buy your food from the farmers market or green grocers, not the supermarkets.
It is cheaper and better quility from the farmers themselves.
These can be found in all towns.
I fully expect to come back to my students with rapacious stories of Poland and would love to have assistance in that.
I live near Krakow, here you have schindler's factory, the Jewish quarter, the Jewish Getto and of course Auschwitz.
When you come here I would be happy to help you out, if I can.
It is very important for people to know what happened, so it never repeats.
This will be an experience you will never forget.
Could you give me specific tips about these places? Places to stay, eat, shop for food, etc?
If you like I have a house 35km south of Krakow, you can stay for free.