Friday, December 2, 2011

Go East

This post is long overdue, but that can be attributed to a massive home internet outage, visitors from home and then a Thanksgiving trip across the pond.  Our trip to Krakow, Poland happened almost two months ago now, but there's still lots to talk about.

Welcome to Polska

If I haven't discussed our love of travel to Eastern Europe...I will say it again- we love Eastern Europe.  And Krakow might just be the most "Eastern" place we've been yet.  It was a little rough around the edges, but the historic center of the city was very charming and picturesque.


Here's a brief recap of our adventures in Poland:

A visit to Wawel Hill, site of the Wawel Cathedral where lots of famous Poles are buried (think Westminster Abbey)...

The front of Wawel Hill

Is this Italy?  No!  It's a Renaissance Courtyard at Wawel Hill.

 Walking around Market Square complete with St. Mary's Basilica and the Cloth Hall...

The two different spires really catch your eye.

Cloth Hall at dusk


Viewing the former residence of the "Greatest Pole" aka Pope John Paul II...

JP II We <3 U!


And also a trip to Auschwitz-Birkenau.  (While obviously a very emotional place, the tour guides are extremely informative and the site is an expansive museum with very touching memorials and exhibits).


The train tracks at Birkenau

The gate at Auschwitz
The highlight of our trip to Poland (and I can't believe I don't have pictures) was our private room for watching the Patriots/Jets game at the only sports bar in Krakow to show the NFL.  Oh, and our $16 bar tab after buying drinks for the entire game so they'd let us stay.

Did I mention Poland is awesomely cheap?  I obviously can't wait to go back.