Krakow: Venturing to the Motherland*

*confession: I do not know if my family is specifically from the Krakow region of Poland.  Let's just roll with it.

Leg 2 of my whirlwind spring break brought me to Krakow, Poland.  It all started when we boarded an overnight train in Vienna that Tuesday.  The sleeping rooms were extremely tight quarters, as each room fit 3 beds stacked one on top of the other.  It was all fun and games though, because I got the coveted middle bunk and was thus able to get all snuggled up before some great pillow talk.  My boyfriend slept below me, and according to him, the ride was so outrageously bumpy and loud that it was "reminiscent of the train ride in the movie Anastasia."  Well good news is I cannot confirm that quote, first off because I have never seen Anastasia and secondly because I slept like a baby!  I just popped my earplugs in (my goodness, I swear by these things) and just got cradled off into a dreaming wonderland.  And when I woke, we were in Krakow:)

Compartment #1 inhabitants getting pumped up about their "cozy" quarters.

Compartment #2 not to be outdone in the excitement category.

But the winners have to be in Compartment #3, right? :)

As soon as we arrived, we stored our bags at our hostel (The Dizzy Daisy) and boarded another train to Auschwitz.  It's obviously not the highest note to start a new journey on, but we planned the night before and decided the trip was so important to us that we wanted to visit immediately.  The two-hour train ride took us through the desolate Polish countryside.  Considering we had barely seen any of Krakow, this train ride was my first impression of Poland, and I was quite sad.

The grounds at Auschwitz had been converted into a museum, but everything was still quite authentic.  We paid for a tour to take us through the barracks and chambers.  We were allowed to take photographs, but I didn't feel up for it (thus my lack of photos here).  I don't even have many reactions to share with you; I have found it most comforting to reflect upon my experiences there internally.  However, I will say that I was beyond blessed to have walked through the grounds holding the hands of those I love.  The museum was brutally honest, and I could not have completed the tour without them.

That night we lifted our spirits by treating ourselves to traditional Polish cuisine at the authentic Czarwone Kovate restaurant.  Let me tell you, this may have been the best dinner I HAVE EVER EATEN (and I've eaten a LOT of dinners!).  I had two entreés: First, one Szaszłyk Drobiowy z Papryka, Ogórkiem I Ziołowym Dressingiem (chicken shish kebab with peppers, cucumbers and herbal sauce) and also a plate of Pierogi Ruski Omaszczone Złocista Cebulka (dumplings stuffed with potato and cheese, covered with butter and golden fried onions).  And lastly, what's a great dinner without a great drink, so I split a jug of Wino Domowze Czerwone (homemade red wine) with one of my girlfriends.  And get THIS: all that food only cost me the equivalent of $9 US Dollars.  LOL.  The entire dining experience that night was simply spectacular.

Could this place have been any more Polish?

These pierogis may or may not have been gone in 10 seconds.

We had spent the majority of our Wednesday outside Krakow, so the next morning our group woke early to explore the city.  In contrast to my grim impressions of the Polish countryside, life in Krawkow was delightful in a quintessentially European way: filled with quaint streets, charming buildings and ornate churches. I immediately fell in love.  I won't give any hints away, family, but I also struck some gold shopping at the market:)

So this is Krakow!

This spectacular photo of Krakow's market was taken by one of my groupmates.

Two Polish girls, captivated by the beauty of Krakow's main square.

This is how buildings look here.  Like wow.

The most picturesque streets I have ever seen.

You haven't seen a church until you've seen one Krakow style (this photo taken in All Saints Parish Church).

Krakow is the birthplace of Pope John Paul II, so that explains the casual shrines we saw to him everywhere.

AHH I'M OBSESSED WITH THIS PLACE!!

The only disappointment about Krakow was something we could not control: the weather.  In Vienna, temps were certainly uncomfortable, but in Krakow, they were limiting.  Due to the freezing temperatures and harsh wind/snow, we could only be outside comfortably for 10 minutes before wanting to stop inside a coffee shop or heated church.  Because of this, we didn't get to explore the far edges of Krakow that interested us (like the Jewish Quarter).  However, we did suck it up enough to head to the Wawel Castle, built in the 14th century to house royals.

Outside the castle grounds...

And inside:)

Strolling home through Krakow's parks.

Before we knew it, we had to return to the hostel and gather our belongings in preparation for night train #2 to Prague.  I could not believe my time in Krakow had passed so quickly.  I am enthralled with the city and hope to return again one day in the summer.  Our Polish heritage is something my family holds very dearly (for example, we still sing Happy Birthday to each other in Polish!), so the trip was very meaningful for me.  I loved returning to my "homeland," and per my mother's recommendation, I remembered to say a prayer of gratitude for my ancestors who immigrated to the US to create a better life for their family.  The trip, in this sense, was just another reminder of how extremely blessed I am to be living this life.  "Sto lat" to that!

Cheers,

C

Dear God, thank you for this beautiful life, and please forgive me when I don't love it enough.