Blogs from Anin, Warsaw, Masovia, Poland, Europe

Backpacking, you either love it or hate it. Myself, I tend to switch sides depending on the variables. Lugging the heaving bag behind me, sweat sticking my shirt to my back, dust in my eyes, wanting the sweet relief of clean sheets and a hot shower… but instead arriving in a room shared with 5 other strangers and the shower clogged with hair. The bed sags in the middle and the bunk above has cigarette burns in the slats. Consistently throughout the night the lights flick on and off as roommates come and go, and not always on their own. Each morning you wake with the pungent smell of stale bodies which are strewn across their respective beds, usually an arm or leg hanging over and often a rouge testical or the beginning of a crack ... read more

The day started by hostel staff knocking on my door looking for the heater that was in there and 8:20 am. Why they couldn't wait till later I dont know. I was booked on to a tour of the salt mines for 10:15 so I thought I might as well get up. The trip was booked with the same company I went with yesterday so I knew it would be decent. It was a quick trip, only about 30 mins. The mine has been open for over 700 years and while the miners got bored on their lunch and stuff they would carve statues and chapels. the tour lasts for about 2 hours, but still only takes you into about 2% of the tunnels. Its really impressive all the stuff they've managed to make out of ... read more

Just a quick message to let you know Im back in Krakow. The train was only 35 zlt compared to the 110 I paid to get to Warsaw so god knows what happened there. This train had compartments within the carriages, so I felt a bit like I was on the Hogwarts express. The hostel looks ok, reminds me a bit of a pub I've been to but cant put my finger on which one. I'm in a 6 people room, but so far no one else has checked in, so I might have my own personal room. Off out to do a bit of exploring. ... read more

I think I might have illegally got the tram to the zoo today. I put my ticket into the machine and it beeped and the light went red. But no one checked so I got away with it. The tram was harder to find that I thought. The website and guidebook said it was in a square, but in acctual fact its just around the corner. I got on tram 23, which made me happy. I was a bit early for opening so I went for a walk around the park its set in and saw lots of red squirrels. They have better ears but the grey ones have the best tails. First thing I saw at the zoo was some ducks sliding around on the frozen ice of their pond- very funny. The gibbons were ... read more

Yep, thats right-me. Nothing much of interest to report since yesterday. I hung out in the common room till about half 9 ish, then thought Id head to bed. BUt when I got to my room there were some people from Japan, poland, Austria and Germany sat around chatting, so I got changed into my PJ's but stayed up to chat with them. It was really interesting talking about how things were different in out countries. We also tried to decide what the national souviner of Poland was. It was tricker that you'd think. I think I must have turned in about half 10-ish when they left for the pub and woke up about half 8, so I got a good nights sleep. Im off to make some butties for breakfast and lunch-try to save the ... read more