Krakow

Krakow

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January 8th 2011

Published: January 8th 2011

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lexidupa

COFFEE!!

Krakow - Poland

Another epic day in Eastern Europe.

I'm so impressed by the amount of things we are cramming into each day!
Woke up nice and early and caught the bus into the centre of Krakow. Ella and I decided that we were going to see the Salt Mines, the Jewish Quarter and the Castle with the dragon's lair. We started making our way to the shuttle stop for the Salt Mines when we were mightily distracted by a huge shopping centre we found. We were averted for three hours in this shopping centre when we discovered that everything was super super cheap! We bought a whole heap of medication that we estimated would cost over $80 back home.. cost us 40 zlotys which equates to about 10 Euros which equates to about $14!! So we continued shopping, I bought some leg warmers, thermal tights, a watch and a cute peace charm. We got lunch here and then decided to flag the Salt Mines and head back into town (you've got to keep something unseen to give you a reason to come back.. I love POLAND!!!). We made our way around the Jewish Quarter and started feeling a little sombre as it

Cool graffiiti

Krakow - Poland

hit us that this area was at one point a devastating ghetto that housed thousands of starving Jews. Schindler's factory was also in this area. We got a coffee in a creepy little cafe that had a lot of atmosphere and then headed back to Wawel Royal Castle.

Unfortunately the dragon's lair isn't open during December and Jan, but we got tickets to head into the cathedral and the royal tombs (which holds the tomb of Chopin and is also the final resting place of the late President Lech Kaczynski of Poland who died in a plane crash in Russia in April last year) and we got to weave our way up a series of scary, steep stairs to the bell tower.

We witnessed the bugle player who plays out of a tower of the Gothic Basilica of the Virgin Mary's in the centre of the city every day. We also had a bit of a browse through the local marketplace, they love their dragons that's for sure!
We are now back in the hostel about to watch Schindler's List, a. because we spent the day searching for the places where the events occured, and b. because tomorrow

Buskers

Krakow - Poland

we head to Auschwitz-Birkenau for the day. It will be a very sombre day tomorrow, but one that I am very much looking forward to.

So, until then xx Lex

Additional photos below

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8th January 2011

Phil Heron
non-member comment

Print For Your Unit!!!
Hi Doob. This is an excellent photo!!! Great sense of light and reflection in a very sad place. Love the balance and play on line within. The opposing lights and stars make a beautiful contrast to the subject whilst still having that tormented context!! WOW!!! Can't wait to get my hands on the original. Can you locate the original and zoom it in to see how crisp the lines are at full zoom!! Good job, Buddy!! This will be a "frameable" one for your unit!! Luv ya, Dad xxx

8th January 2011