We arrived to Krakow in the evening, and checked into our hostel. And just as we checked in, Shane noticed that there was a walking tour in 10 minutes. So we grabbed our bags and headed to the main square. The walking tour was the Secrets of Krakow by Night. We learned all about the bones behind the wall and the ghost stories of the city. At the end, we took a picture in front of a fire-blowing dragon! And we even caught the fire on camera!!
At the end of the tour, we met a couple who had come from Israel. We walked for about 15 minutes back to the center of the town with them and learned about their stories. The man had siblings and parents who survived the Holocaust, and he talked about his experiences in Israel as his father started a second family there after the war. Talking to them was incredible, because I loved to learn about their stories and see Israel and the repercussions of WW2 from a completely new perspective. Meeting people like this is one of my favorite parts of traveling, because I get to meet people from all over the world who have very different experiences as myself.
At the end of the tour, we met a couple who had come from Israel. We walked for about 15 minutes back to the center of the town with them and learned about their stories. The man had siblings and parents who survived the Holocaust, and he talked about his experiences in Israel as his father started a second family there after the war. Talking to them was incredible, because I loved to learn about their stories and see Israel and the repercussions of WW2 from a completely new perspective. Meeting people like this is one of my favorite parts of traveling, because I get to meet people from all over the world who have very different experiences as myself.
For dinner, we went to a pierogi place and enjoyed an arrangement of vegetarian and dessert pierogis. I was so happy, they were delicious!! It again reminded me of the pierogis that we ate as a kid, but maybe these were a bit better! We also enjoyed some borsch soup, which I think is very tasty. After a late evening, we got a good night's sleep.
First thing in the morning, we woke up, ate breakfast and then climbed into a car to go to the nearby Salt Mine. It was very interesting to see them! We learned a lot about the workers down there, as well as the salt statues that they built down there. There were some very crazy impressive structures. My favorite was the salt chandeliers. The air was also very nice to breath down there. So clear! After arriving back in Krakow, we had lunch at a very traditional restaurant with a great atmosphere. It was also underground, which was very cool to experience. Honestly, we weren't sure exactly what we ordered when we did, but we ended up with some pierogis with a weird filling, a salmon dish and a dessert! We didn't intend to get a dessert, but it was my favorite thing! The dessert was like a blintz, a thick crepe filled with a sweet cottage cheese filling, served with chocolate and whipped cream! Yum!! |
We then made it to the square just in time for a tour of the Jewish Quarter. The tour was a bit weird at first, and it felt somewhat uncomfortable to be Jewish on the tour, but as it went on it got a lot better. The graffiti was very interesting to see. The most interesting part was a square that has chair placed out. This is because when the Nazis transported the Jews out of the ghetto, they were told to bring their things. So many brought chairs, which they sat in while they waited for a very long time in this square. So now, there are chairs built into the square to remember that experience. After the tour, Shane and I walked a bit further to find the wall that separated the ghetto there from the rest of the city. It was very interesting to see, especially because now there is a children's park right next to the remaining walls with a memorial.
I then spent a long time wandering through the corridors on my way back. I felt a lot of connection to this land, which has made this whole trip very interesting for me. While I don't know exactly what part of Poland my family is from, coming back here has made me feel like I am learning about my herritage and where my family is coming from. It was very meaningful to me.
I had been a bit cold throughout my trip so far because I didn't bring very many warm clothes. As I'm thinking about the night ahead, we walk past some women who were selling their clothes at a flea market. Right outside of the gate to our hostel, there was a jacket hanging that I really liked. It was a message that I needed a jacket, and it was perfect, so I got it right there!
I had been a bit cold throughout my trip so far because I didn't bring very many warm clothes. As I'm thinking about the night ahead, we walk past some women who were selling their clothes at a flea market. Right outside of the gate to our hostel, there was a jacket hanging that I really liked. It was a message that I needed a jacket, and it was perfect, so I got it right there!
That night, we had soup with the hostel and played a round of trivia before going out. We tried some local cider and had a banana beer, which was delicious! We then went bar hopping with a bunch of people from the hostel and one of the locals and it was a blast! We tried the Bison Grass vodka that this area is very well known for. We also noticed that they made very good mixed vodka shots. They would mix a flavored vodka with a bunch of different things. One of my favorites is the Ferrero Roche shot, which had hazelnut vodka and milk. It was tasty! They certainly know their vodka in Poland. We also went to a few dancing bars and worked up at appetite. So, after dancing, I went with someone from the hostel for a late night pierogi stop. I have to say, they are still amazing, probably even better, late at night! I got the regular Russian pierogis and was so happy. It was the potato pierogi that I've always loved.