SusanRozsas

Leave Krakow, lunch in Slovakia and arrival in Budapest, Hungary Uggh...travel day means extra early wakeup...6am wake up call and bags out in hallway by 6:30am. I went back to sleep for a little bit and Mom went down for breakfast. We got our carryon items and went down to the bus by 7:45am. All loaded up and ready to roll on our longest travel day of the trip (besides our flights of course). I had to take a bonine since we were spending so much time on the road...and I didn't expect it to be as windy as it was...it was worse than I had thought. I napped for awhile as usual...I swear the bonine makes me sleepy. 2 hours in we stopped at a gas station for a rest stop. It's good to get ... read more

BIRTHDAY in Krakow & tour of Wieliczka Salt Mine People on the tour got sick of my birthday even before my birthday occurred. We started celebrating it on Sunday at Halina's house with the apple cake her Mom made. They sang Happy Birthday to me that day and then again with the folk group when we arrived in Krakow on Monday night. It is such a contrast from last year when I spent my birthday by myself in Giverny. People of course sent me emails wishing happy birthday and postings on facebook but noone around me in Paris knew of my birthday. I didn't even speak English to anyone for several days. Someone asked me what birthday was better...this one in Poland or last year's in Paris and Giverny. I can't compare the 2 trips...I really ... read more

Day 5 - Day in Warsaw, Poland Today is Sunday, August 22, 2010. Once again Mom was up, showered and back from breakfast as I was getting out of bed this morning and today I rose at 7am. After finding out where the closest church was and what their mass times were the night before we headed to All Saints Church a few blocks away for their 8am mass. Alot of people there...and later we found out this is Warsaw's largest Roman Catholic church in the city. There are over 100 catholic churches in Warsaw. I don't know how all these old people can stand the kneelers in these churches...no padding?! No where in Europe will you find a church with padding....I'm a spoiled American Catholic! It was easy to follow the mass of course but ... read more

Day 4 - Warsaw, Poland After getting in late Friday night, both Mom and I slept great! As usual Mom woke up with the sunrise and got ready and went down to breakfast before I even awoke. I got up at 8am and got showered and ready for the day. I stopped by the breakfast buffet and then met my Mom at the orientation meeting we were having in the hotel discussing the rest of the tour. Helina talked about where we were going on what days and the optional tours we could sign up for were also discussed. I'm taking 3 optional tours and Mom is only taking 2. The one Mom is not doing is the Salt Mine tour outside of Krakow...they said there is alot of walking down stairs and Mom thinks it ... read more

The Journey has begun... Beginning Wednesday, August 18, 2010 From the start, Wednesday was chaotic. Thankfully Wendy came and picked up NtP the night before and that was one less thing to worry about come departure day. I hate saying goodbye to her but I know she'll be in excellent hands with Wendy and Leigh Anne. Trying to pack....everything of mine is still in boxes in Mom's basement and in the garage. I thought I had put all my travel items together but I was digging through boxes alot to try and find what I was looking for. Finally got everything together and Joann picked Mom and I up at 2pm to drive us to the airport in her new car! As we were driving we realized we forgot to bring an Observer Reporter newspaper with ... read more