Krakow, Poland

We flew to Krakow on Friday and were there for 3 nights. It was rather whirlwind but we took advantage of the time we had. We stayed with Margaret’s sister and brother in law. I felt very welcome despite the language barrier. Poor Margaret had to keep switching languages – she’d be on a roll in one language and forget to switch languages depending on who she was talking to. It was quite funny.


The Main Market Square in Krakow is huge. There are a lot of shops, cafés, horse-drawn carriages and it’s a great place to people-watch. We went there 2 evenings for coffee and dessert.

Saturday we went to the Wieliczka Salt Mines which dates back to the 13th century and was mined up until 1996. I can’t remember how many flights of stairs it took to go down but 4 days later my calves are still feeling it. (There’s an elevator to go back up to ground level at the end of the tour) When Margaret told me we’d be going to a salt mine I thought what a lot of you are thinking – huh? I’m so glad we went though. It was very interesting. We saw a lot of sculptures down there – all carved from rock salt. The tour ended in one of the 40 chapels in the mine. A beautiful huge room where everything is carved in salt including the gorgeous shiny floor.

Sunday we took a trip to Auschwitz. What can I say about that. It was as you’d expect. Emotional. I am glad I went. It was a once in a lifetime visit and I won’t forget it.

Even the chandelliers are made of salt

Floor carved by miners over a 3 year period

Auschwitz

A few of my favorite foods: borcsht, pierogies served with fried onions and ham – both homemade. I’m spoiled now. When I go back home, frozen pierogies are going to be such a disapointment.

Tip for flying within Europe – do NOT fly Easyjet. We had huge problems with them.

~ L

Avenue des Champs-Élysées

One beautiful sunny day last week we spent the afternoon on the Avenue des Champs-Élysées. We went to see the Arc de Triomphe although we didn’t go up.  We had a lovely lunch at a café and then did a little popping in and out of stores.  We each bought a little something for ourselves.  We also went to check out Avenue Montaigne which is the street to shop on if you have money – Chanel, Gucci etc.  Needless to say we didn’t buy anything there but we did peek in through the windows like little girls dreaming that maybe “some day…”!

Swarovsky stairs

Chanel

Ladurée - mmmm macarons

Until next time and Krakow, Poland...

~ L

We’re not in “Kansas” anymore…

Last night was the first night I slept right through.  Jet-lag be gone!  *knocks on wood and gives a big cheer*

We haven’t done much besides explore.  Every day we’ve walked and walked and walked – Margaret and I have the sore feet to prove it.  The neighborhood my apartment is in is wonderful!  There are so many stores and restaurants/cafes around here I’ll never be at a loss.  Every corner you turn there is more and more to see.

Yesterday we actually made plans to do something specific.  We met at Notre Dame for mass.  Glad I did it.  (Dear lady with the loud camera,  Mass is not the time to take pictures with your loud camera – respect please!)  After mass Margaret and I did some more wandering – since we’ve become so good at it.  Had lunch at a café – my first Croque Monsieur of this trip was memorable.

Here are a few random photos taken since our arrival.

Notre Dame

Notre Dame

Fountain on Boulevard Sebastopol

Interesting building

Gates

Seine

Shakespeare and Co.

~L