Saturday, June 29, 2013
Fri May 24 - 23:45 (Back in Warsaw)
When we got into Warsaw, we went to Gedeon's office to drop off our bags so we could go eat some lunch. He suggested Radio Cafe, which was close by. Ricky order meat pierogi and I had chicken shish-kebab with couscous which was delicious. Gedeon said we had to get the blueberry pierogis for dessert and they were so good. It came with a sweet whipped cream cheese (at least thats what I think it was). We came back with Gedeon to his place and went to Tesco, a kind of British grocery superstore to get some things for dinner. Ricky got some kinder eggs. Before dinner, Gedeon made me a cocktail of cherry vodka and orange juice which was great and I had a desperado. Gedeon made an amazing dinner of salmon, rice, barley, spinach, and a special dish of sauerkraut and pork. For dessert, we had fresh strawberries and ice cream. His friend and former co-worker, Martin, stayed with Gedeon this week so we got to have a nice conversation with him. Gedeon has been the best host we could ask for. He is such a kind and generous person. I wish he could come with us on the rest of our travels.
Friday, June 28, 2013
Fri May 24 - 10:00 (Krakow depart for Warsaw)
Our train departs at 10:00 to Warsaw. We got to the station early to make sure we could find our platform ok. To re-cap, after we got back from the salt mines, we went back to our hostel for a little rest. Then we ventured off to find the Castle and Jewish district. We walked 20 minutes south to the Jewish district. It was ok, but it was nothing spectacular. So we came back 10 minutes north to the Castle, which was equidistant between the City Center Square and the Jewish District. The Castle in Krakow was very beautiful and it had a couple statues including one of Pope JPII right inside the walls.
It was too late to go inside the Church or to take a tour, but it was very cool seeing the architecture. Also, it was on a big hill so we had a great view of city area by the river. On our way back to the city square, we got double scoops of gelato. We strolled into the City Center Square market and I bought Barbara some rose-shaped earrings made from amber.
Afterwards, Ricky and I wanted to find the Lizard King, a music venue that the tour manager of the salt mines told us about. The venue was having an album release concert Thursday night. It was about 4 or 5 blocks, from our hostel on a side street. A man told us that SoundQ, the headliner was playing around 9, but other bands were opening. It was about 18:00 so we decided to go back to the hostel to have a break. I took a quick nap. Once I woke up, Ricky and I walked back over to the Lizard King. There was a 10 Zlotych ($3.25) cover to get in and there was already an artist performing when we got there around 20:30. The club already had a good amount of people, but we found a table in the middle center of the audience. We order a .5 liter Tyskie (pilsner) and took in the club's atmosphere. There were mostly young people our age. We were glad we found a 'rock' venue since most of the restaurants that advertised 'Live Music' meant they had DJs. The first performer we saw was a man in his 20s singing and playing keys on top of pre-recorded music. The music was electronic and energetic. The next act we saw was a 4-piece rock band that played a mix of moderately rocking and slower rock songs.
Sound Q was the last band to perform. They were really good. They had a lead singer, a guitarist, a bassist/sampler, a drummer, and a chick on keyboard and synth. They played til about 23:30. In that time, Ricky and I had ordered 3 0.5 liter beers each and were at a good place. We only ate some leftover pizza for dinner so we wanted to find food, but most places closed at midnight. The only places that were open were Kabobs, a KFC, and a McDonalds. Even though I didn't think I would ever eat McD's on the trip, it was a solid decision. Needless to say, we went back to the room and fell asleep fairly quickly, knowing we had a train to catch in the morning.
Afterwards, Ricky and I wanted to find the Lizard King, a music venue that the tour manager of the salt mines told us about. The venue was having an album release concert Thursday night. It was about 4 or 5 blocks, from our hostel on a side street. A man told us that SoundQ, the headliner was playing around 9, but other bands were opening. It was about 18:00 so we decided to go back to the hostel to have a break. I took a quick nap. Once I woke up, Ricky and I walked back over to the Lizard King. There was a 10 Zlotych ($3.25) cover to get in and there was already an artist performing when we got there around 20:30. The club already had a good amount of people, but we found a table in the middle center of the audience. We order a .5 liter Tyskie (pilsner) and took in the club's atmosphere. There were mostly young people our age. We were glad we found a 'rock' venue since most of the restaurants that advertised 'Live Music' meant they had DJs. The first performer we saw was a man in his 20s singing and playing keys on top of pre-recorded music. The music was electronic and energetic. The next act we saw was a 4-piece rock band that played a mix of moderately rocking and slower rock songs.
Sound Q was the last band to perform. They were really good. They had a lead singer, a guitarist, a bassist/sampler, a drummer, and a chick on keyboard and synth. They played til about 23:30. In that time, Ricky and I had ordered 3 0.5 liter beers each and were at a good place. We only ate some leftover pizza for dinner so we wanted to find food, but most places closed at midnight. The only places that were open were Kabobs, a KFC, and a McDonalds. Even though I didn't think I would ever eat McD's on the trip, it was a solid decision. Needless to say, we went back to the room and fell asleep fairly quickly, knowing we had a train to catch in the morning.
Thu May 23 - 15:00 (Krakow)
Ricky and I are now heading back to the city center from the Wieliczka Salt Mines.
They were very spectacular. We got our tickets and bus from Krakville Tours. The Tour took about 3 hours and we walked for miles in the mines. We started walking down 50 floors, down a wooden mine shaft.
Then we continued through the tunnels cut out of the salt rocks. It was interesting that the salt air was very healthy for you and Polish people can get an appointment for a spa under their social health care system. The micro organisms, salt, and minerals in the air help with asthma, skin problems, and other medical issues.
The mines are 700 years-old and at one time employed 2,000 miners. These miners were not prisoners, slaves, women, or children, but rather men who were proud of their profession. You could see the development of tools throughout the centuries in the mines from the hand carts, to horse-pulled carts, to mechanized carts.
They brought horses down the mine and they would have to live there their whole lives because it was too traumatic to bring them up and down the shaft everyday. Unlike the coal mines, where horses would go blind, the salt mine horses did not suffer from any health problems. The mine closed salt production in 1996 and the last horse was taken out in 2002.
There were many sculptures from hundreds of years ago as well as the sculpture of Pope John Paul II, visited the mines 3 times. In 1999, Pope John Paul II canonized St. Kinga, who was a women of nobility in Hungary in the 13th Century and accordingly to legend found the salt deposits of the area. The largest hall in the mines was called St. Kinga's Chapel.
St. Kinga's Chapel
Many church services and weddings are performed there year round. The hall serves as an altar and as a work of art. Some of the attractions are the Danilowcz Shaft, the Great Legend Sculpture, Gnomes sculpture, the Weimar Chamber, the Erazm Baracz Chamber, the Pieskowa Skala Chamber, St. Kinga's Chapel, and the Nicholas Copernicus Chamber.
Our tour guide was very entertaining and funny. His name was Thomas. He made jokes like saying that the salt air is why he has aged so well. He said he is only 125 years-old and he is one of the younger tour guides. Now there are 200 miners who do maintenance work and service the mines. Most of the salt was used up so they turned the mine into a tourist site, but Poland still has many active salt mines.
This particular mine formed because at one time there was a large lake (35?) millions of year ago. Eventually, the lake dried up and left the salt behind. The seismic activity mixed the salt into the earth and formed the salt rocks that are there today. They use support rods to keep many rocks from closing in on the mine, but water is the biggest threat to preservation. They pump the water out of the mines and back to the surface to keep the water from breaking down all the salt rocks. Our guide said there is many 'forests' that were cut down to support the shafts and tunnels in the mine. The mine gets about 1 million visitors every year. It was very interesting to hear about the history of the Wieliczka Mines and to learn about all the different groups of people who were influenced by it.
They were very spectacular. We got our tickets and bus from Krakville Tours. The Tour took about 3 hours and we walked for miles in the mines. We started walking down 50 floors, down a wooden mine shaft.
Then we continued through the tunnels cut out of the salt rocks. It was interesting that the salt air was very healthy for you and Polish people can get an appointment for a spa under their social health care system. The micro organisms, salt, and minerals in the air help with asthma, skin problems, and other medical issues.
The mines are 700 years-old and at one time employed 2,000 miners. These miners were not prisoners, slaves, women, or children, but rather men who were proud of their profession. You could see the development of tools throughout the centuries in the mines from the hand carts, to horse-pulled carts, to mechanized carts.
They brought horses down the mine and they would have to live there their whole lives because it was too traumatic to bring them up and down the shaft everyday. Unlike the coal mines, where horses would go blind, the salt mine horses did not suffer from any health problems. The mine closed salt production in 1996 and the last horse was taken out in 2002.
There were many sculptures from hundreds of years ago as well as the sculpture of Pope John Paul II, visited the mines 3 times. In 1999, Pope John Paul II canonized St. Kinga, who was a women of nobility in Hungary in the 13th Century and accordingly to legend found the salt deposits of the area. The largest hall in the mines was called St. Kinga's Chapel.
St. Kinga's Chapel
Many church services and weddings are performed there year round. The hall serves as an altar and as a work of art. Some of the attractions are the Danilowcz Shaft, the Great Legend Sculpture, Gnomes sculpture, the Weimar Chamber, the Erazm Baracz Chamber, the Pieskowa Skala Chamber, St. Kinga's Chapel, and the Nicholas Copernicus Chamber.
Our tour guide was very entertaining and funny. His name was Thomas. He made jokes like saying that the salt air is why he has aged so well. He said he is only 125 years-old and he is one of the younger tour guides. Now there are 200 miners who do maintenance work and service the mines. Most of the salt was used up so they turned the mine into a tourist site, but Poland still has many active salt mines.
This particular mine formed because at one time there was a large lake (35?) millions of year ago. Eventually, the lake dried up and left the salt behind. The seismic activity mixed the salt into the earth and formed the salt rocks that are there today. They use support rods to keep many rocks from closing in on the mine, but water is the biggest threat to preservation. They pump the water out of the mines and back to the surface to keep the water from breaking down all the salt rocks. Our guide said there is many 'forests' that were cut down to support the shafts and tunnels in the mine. The mine gets about 1 million visitors every year. It was very interesting to hear about the history of the Wieliczka Mines and to learn about all the different groups of people who were influenced by it.
Wed May 22 - 23:50 (Krakow)
Once our train go into Krakow, we got our train tickets to come back on Friday. We found our hostel outside the moat and it turns out we booked an apartment hostel inside the city center.
It was right next to the city square and we got a great deal, $100 for both of us for both nights. We got settles and walked around the whole city center. We saw the church in the city square and a bunch of very old buildings.
After pizza for lunch, we ate some gelato. We bought tickets for the Salt mines for tomorrow morning, and after we get back, we are going to the Jewish district and the castle in Krakow.
I was proud of Ricky because for dinner we had sushi! It is the latest food craze in Poland. He had spicy tuna and grilled salmon sushi. I had a mango california roll and a shrimp & avocado roll. I was glad to hear that Ricky actually enjoyed it.
At 22:00 we got a beer in a beer garden before retiring for the evening since our tour leaves at 10 am.
Krakow is a very beautiful city with a lot of night life and young people. Similar but also very different than Warsaw. Krakow is much more artsy and less business oriented. The city square had tons of venders selling everything from drawings, paintings, wooden pieces (like wooden boxes), chess sets, clothing, and amber jewelry, which is a big market in Poland (since they have a lot of amber in the region). At night, lights are thrown on old important buildings and give the city a great atmosphere.
People of all ages are visiting, but young people are the majority. Even more so at night.
It was right next to the city square and we got a great deal, $100 for both of us for both nights. We got settles and walked around the whole city center. We saw the church in the city square and a bunch of very old buildings.
After pizza for lunch, we ate some gelato. We bought tickets for the Salt mines for tomorrow morning, and after we get back, we are going to the Jewish district and the castle in Krakow.
I was proud of Ricky because for dinner we had sushi! It is the latest food craze in Poland. He had spicy tuna and grilled salmon sushi. I had a mango california roll and a shrimp & avocado roll. I was glad to hear that Ricky actually enjoyed it.
At 22:00 we got a beer in a beer garden before retiring for the evening since our tour leaves at 10 am.
Krakow is a very beautiful city with a lot of night life and young people. Similar but also very different than Warsaw. Krakow is much more artsy and less business oriented. The city square had tons of venders selling everything from drawings, paintings, wooden pieces (like wooden boxes), chess sets, clothing, and amber jewelry, which is a big market in Poland (since they have a lot of amber in the region). At night, lights are thrown on old important buildings and give the city a great atmosphere.
People of all ages are visiting, but young people are the majority. Even more so at night.
Wed May 22 - 9:10 (Depart for Krakow)
Ricky and I just got on the 9 am train to Krakow.
As I sit in Car 7, Seat 31, I'm reminded of my memories taking the VRE in high school. I look out the window to see that Poland is not very different from Virginia. It has many trees, people, roads, buildings, and graffiti just like I use to see in my teenage years on the train. Two other passengers are in the same compartment we are in: one man, close to 30 years-old, wearing a business suit, intently readying a newspaper, and a woman in her later 20s wearing a red dress with a sweater, who appears to also be on her way to work. I look outside again to see some rum down buildings and some factories. Yes, the buildings are designed differently, but in a strange way, it felt as if I were still in the US. The mounds of dirt, rocks, and gravel by the train tracks end the city limits. Now I see only open fields and power lines with occasional houses far apart.
I wonder what illusion is created by man that makes us think we are so different. Not Americans or Poles, but the human race. If nations could open their eyes and see people as we are, all from one ancestry with planet Earth, maybe progress could thrive. I would like to think world peace is near in the future. More so, I would like to think that environmentalism, sustainability, and conservation will play a large role in the current century.
As I sit in Car 7, Seat 31, I'm reminded of my memories taking the VRE in high school. I look out the window to see that Poland is not very different from Virginia. It has many trees, people, roads, buildings, and graffiti just like I use to see in my teenage years on the train. Two other passengers are in the same compartment we are in: one man, close to 30 years-old, wearing a business suit, intently readying a newspaper, and a woman in her later 20s wearing a red dress with a sweater, who appears to also be on her way to work. I look outside again to see some rum down buildings and some factories. Yes, the buildings are designed differently, but in a strange way, it felt as if I were still in the US. The mounds of dirt, rocks, and gravel by the train tracks end the city limits. Now I see only open fields and power lines with occasional houses far apart.
I wonder what illusion is created by man that makes us think we are so different. Not Americans or Poles, but the human race. If nations could open their eyes and see people as we are, all from one ancestry with planet Earth, maybe progress could thrive. I would like to think world peace is near in the future. More so, I would like to think that environmentalism, sustainability, and conservation will play a large role in the current century.
Thursday, June 27, 2013
Tue May 21 - 18:20 (Warsaw)
After a full night's rest, Ricky and I woke up and got ready for the day. Gedeon went out early and bought fresh bread, meat, and produce. We had ham sandwiches with juice for breakfast. We drove to the financial district of Warsaw. Gedeon works next to the Palace of Science and Culture. The Palace was built by Stalin after "The War" (WWII). Gedeon told us that the Poles hate the building because they didn't like Stalin. This is why the Poles say the best view of the city is from the top of the Palace because you can see all of Warsaw and you don't have to look at that building.
Palace of Science and Culture:
Gedeon's friend, John, met us at Starbucks and showed us around the city while Gedeon had work. Since it was sunny and 70 degrees, he gave us a tour of the city life. We walked to Warsaw's "main street" called Nowy Swiat and got to see a church where Chopin's heart is. The story is that since Chopin died in France, the French were burrying him there, but the Poles were upset by this since Chopin was Polish. A pole managed to find his body, cut out his heart, and bring it back to Warsaw.
Old Town:
We continued on by foot, bus, and subway to Old Town, New Town, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the park by the embassy buildings, the water fountain by the river, the old train tracks which brought prisoners and people to prison or concentration camps, and lastly to Bierhalle where we ate perogies. John let us try his blood sausage, which was pretty good. After eating, John had to go to work, but we rode the tram to the financial district.
We met back up with Gedeon by the Hard Rock Cafe, which was right by his work, and drove across town to see the Palac W Wilanowie (Museum and Garden). They had beautiful gardens there along with the gorgeous palace.
Palac W Wilanowie:
Now Ricky and I are having a snack at a restaurant while Gedeon gets out of a meeting. Ricky ordered creme brûlée. I ordered a pilsner.
Throughout John's tour, he gave us a great lesson on the history of Poland. He explained that Poland developed from a Slavik people, and around 1600, Poland was a powerful nation that controlled much of Europe. During the 1700s, they started to lose power and in the 1800s they were partitioned. WWI and WWII was very tough on the Polish people because the wars destroyed the city of Warsaw and at the end of WWII, the entire city was leveled.
Palace of Science and Culture:
Gedeon's friend, John, met us at Starbucks and showed us around the city while Gedeon had work. Since it was sunny and 70 degrees, he gave us a tour of the city life. We walked to Warsaw's "main street" called Nowy Swiat and got to see a church where Chopin's heart is. The story is that since Chopin died in France, the French were burrying him there, but the Poles were upset by this since Chopin was Polish. A pole managed to find his body, cut out his heart, and bring it back to Warsaw.
Old Town:
We continued on by foot, bus, and subway to Old Town, New Town, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the park by the embassy buildings, the water fountain by the river, the old train tracks which brought prisoners and people to prison or concentration camps, and lastly to Bierhalle where we ate perogies. John let us try his blood sausage, which was pretty good. After eating, John had to go to work, but we rode the tram to the financial district.
We met back up with Gedeon by the Hard Rock Cafe, which was right by his work, and drove across town to see the Palac W Wilanowie (Museum and Garden). They had beautiful gardens there along with the gorgeous palace.
Palac W Wilanowie:
Now Ricky and I are having a snack at a restaurant while Gedeon gets out of a meeting. Ricky ordered creme brûlée. I ordered a pilsner.
Throughout John's tour, he gave us a great lesson on the history of Poland. He explained that Poland developed from a Slavik people, and around 1600, Poland was a powerful nation that controlled much of Europe. During the 1700s, they started to lose power and in the 1800s they were partitioned. WWI and WWII was very tough on the Polish people because the wars destroyed the city of Warsaw and at the end of WWII, the entire city was leveled.
Mon May 20 - 22:30 (Arriving in Warsaw)
The plane ride to Frankfurt was long, but I got to sleep overnight for a few hours. Ricky and I took turns napping in the Frankfurt Airport until our flight was boarding passengers. Once we landed in Warsaw, I was ready to get out of the airport. Gedeon was waiting for us after we got our luggage. He arranged for a taxi driver to pick us up and bring us to Gedeon's apartment in Warsaw.
He lives right next to some stores, restaurants, and Tesco, the grocery store. After dropping off our bags, we walked over to Kabob King for our first meal in Poland. It's funny that it was Turkish food and not Polish, but it was really good. On our walk home, Gedeon brought us by a food market to grab some snacks and a beer store so we could try a Polish Pilsner. It got a beer that was called Olsztynskie and no I can't pronounce the name of that haha. We came back, tried the beer, and discussed our plan for the morning. We will go to a Starbucks by Gedeon's work and meet his friend there who can show us around. Lastly, we got ready for bed, and I mean a singular bed. Ricky and I are going to try to share Gedeon's pull out couch-bed. If Ricky kicks me off at night, there's also a roll-out mattress I could use.
He lives right next to some stores, restaurants, and Tesco, the grocery store. After dropping off our bags, we walked over to Kabob King for our first meal in Poland. It's funny that it was Turkish food and not Polish, but it was really good. On our walk home, Gedeon brought us by a food market to grab some snacks and a beer store so we could try a Polish Pilsner. It got a beer that was called Olsztynskie and no I can't pronounce the name of that haha. We came back, tried the beer, and discussed our plan for the morning. We will go to a Starbucks by Gedeon's work and meet his friend there who can show us around. Lastly, we got ready for bed, and I mean a singular bed. Ricky and I are going to try to share Gedeon's pull out couch-bed. If Ricky kicks me off at night, there's also a roll-out mattress I could use.
Sun May 19 - 20:20 (Departure)
It has begun. Ricky and I are sitting at Gate C12 in Dulles waiting for our plan so we can board. As we walked through the airport entrance and through the security, we realized that this is finally happening. Excitement has overwhelmed us and now we are forced to wait for another hour and 30 minutes. Gedeon will be 2 hours ahead of us. I keep looking and checking for my cell phone and remembering that I will be without my cell phone for a whole month. I can't wait. I'm too addicted to my cell phone so it's great I have an excuse to be without it for so long.
Sat May 18, 2013 - 23:00 (Prologue)
Ricky and I have been planning more and more ever since we bought those tickets across the Atlantic. About a month ago, we started booking things we had only planned. This past week has gone by so quickly with all the preparation we've done.
So we leave for Poland tomorrow. Well, Frankfurt for a layover and then onward to Warsaw. We may have a couple hours in Frankfurt. We get into Warsaw at 17:20.
Gedeon will be waiting for us in the Warsaw Airport (WAW) on Monday. Ricky and I will go with him to his apartment in Warsaw. It's right on the end of their subway system. We will visit the city Tuesday. Wednesday we will go to Krakow and leave Friday to come back to Warsaw. Then we stay in Warsaw until Saturday evening, when we take a bus to Berlin.
This is the first segment of my trip and I couldn't be more excited for it. Carroll is the Best Aunt ever!
So we leave for Poland tomorrow. Well, Frankfurt for a layover and then onward to Warsaw. We may have a couple hours in Frankfurt. We get into Warsaw at 17:20.
Gedeon will be waiting for us in the Warsaw Airport (WAW) on Monday. Ricky and I will go with him to his apartment in Warsaw. It's right on the end of their subway system. We will visit the city Tuesday. Wednesday we will go to Krakow and leave Friday to come back to Warsaw. Then we stay in Warsaw until Saturday evening, when we take a bus to Berlin.
This is the first segment of my trip and I couldn't be more excited for it. Carroll is the Best Aunt ever!
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