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Published: July 20th 2007
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July 18, 2007
Krakow…WOW!!!!
We have just wrapped up 4 days in Krakow Poland. The first word that comes to mind is WOW!!!! It is an amazing, vibrant, gorgeous city. The Polish people are intelligent, beautiful, nice, kind, and loving their new freedom. The energy in Krakow was magnetic….we just loved it!
Admittedly, I didn’t want to come to Krakow. I had visions of cold, gray, gloomy non-descript concrete buildings with old grumpy people roaming around. Scott and I even had an argument 2 days before as I once again stressed how much I didn’t want to go there. He had been planning all along for us to come to Krakow…I secretly hoped I would detour him to Vienna for some coffee and pastry eating on the Kartner Strasse. Scott being as stubborn as he is…ignored my points about returning to Vienna and stayed firm in his determination to go to Krakow. I gave up…plus he was driving. Thank goodness…. Almost immediately upon crossing the border from the Czech Republic into Poland things started to change. The drive through the Eastern part of the Czech Republic is much like driving down highway 5 in California during the
summer. No offense to my Central Valley friends….it was just flat with the dry golden grass along the road with a truck stop and McDonald’s every 75-100 miles. I haven’t eaten in a McDonald’s in 7 years but actually did while driving through the Czech Republic due to there being no place else. It tasted the same by the way but cost 30% more.
As soon as we crossed into Poland, the landscape changed to green rolling hills with charming very old villages dotting the road. The roads…they were another story…however the Poles are trying to get them into the 21st century but that meant road work all along the way. One of our tour guides told us there was only 620 kilometers of highway in Poland, obviously not a priority of the Communists. The ride toward Krakow was just charming…my attitude of “Scott is going to pay for this” just melted away. Upon arrival in Krakow, I was dying to get out of the car and just walk with the people. Chic beautiful people were everywhere. The city center and market square were bursting with sidewalk cafes, street artist, the most magnificent church I have ever seen, and
smiling happy people everywhere. We were all so happy to be there be allowed an extra day in Krakow before even finding a hotel.
We stayed in a lovely apartment just off the square and it had air conditioning which turned out to be a much needed treat. The temperatures went from raining and cold to the high 90’s. After all those weeks of rain there was no in between…global warming had arrived. We just had so much fun walking around. It was a shoppers paradise too so we had rein in Will. He found a sword on every corner that we just needed to have. Plus Krakow has a flea market everyday in the square…..it was impossible to keep Will out. We visited the Krakow’s castle which has a dragon’s lair. We were able to walk into the caves under the castle…the boys loved it.
We took the most interesting tour…”the Crazy Communist tour.” It was fascinating. We had the most intelligent guide. He was Polish, mid 20’s and so smart. He knew more about our government than many Americans I meet up with and everything about his own….past and present. He took us in an old
Communist Trabant car to the model Communist town. This town, Nova Huta, was Poland’s “propaganda” town build to convince the people that industry and communism were good. Everyone would be signing up for a better life. It was different than Krakow…dirty, all roads lead to the steel mill, but nicer than the outskirts of many of the towns we saw in the Czech Republic and Slovakia. It was such a great experience.
Long before arriving in Europe, I decided to visit Auschwitz, if I was indeed coming to Poland. Scott and I checked the web site and immediately decided it was too much for Will. So Justin and I were set to go. At breakfast the morning we were to leave…I let him know if any of it got too graphic or heavy to tell me and we could leave or take a break. Within 10 minutes he had bailed on me to go to the water-park with his dad and brother. So I set out alone. I took the bus through the countryside….gorgeous still. No block apartments, just darling little houses and farm land.
I have always been fascinated by the Holocaust. It makes me so sad
but yet I am drawn to the stories and learning more about the people. I somehow feel it will help me wrap my mind around the horror of it. Auschwitz is a horrible place but has been turned into a serene museum…helping people get a sense of the horror while honoring those who died. It was a very peaceful afternoon (partly because I was alone for the first time in 5 weeks). I was glad I made the journey. I recommend it for everyone, as this could and is happening again and without awareness we lose site of the world around us.
Krakow…fabulous city…great food…add it to your list of places to visit someday. After we left we drove through Poland, which remained lovely. We rove through this mountain resort town called Zacopane. It is a big ski place in the winter but teaming with rafting and hiking in the summer. We then crossed to Slovakia. Boy did things change there. It is a country ravaged by the communists, the terrain is essentially unlivable and they have a large gypsy community that seems to be crippling the economy. We only stopped there on our way to Hungary and none
of us were too please.
Now we are in Eger, Hungary for a few days before heading to Budapest. It is still hot…hotter even. I feel we can’t win. We have a ton of laundry so that is what I will be trying to figure out today!
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Kim
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Picture "Krakow 8
Has anyone seen that movie "Hostel" the very graphic horror flick? Now look at Cindy's picture titled "Krakow 8" doesn't that look like a scene from the movie? Cute little car you guys. Hope everyone is well and happy. Love ya Kim