Tour of Krakow

A few months ago friends Johnathan, Ewelina and I went to Krakow to have a look around for a weekend. They knew the city but this was my first experience with Poland and what used to be behind the iron curtain. We went in late winter so it wasn't exactly warm but still very busy with visitors. They definitely have the welcome mat out for tourists but it hasn't ruined the feel of the city...yet.

Couldn't sleep so took pictures.

  We took an over night train from Berlin. The trains are crazy cheap but slow and basic (unless you pay more:). Still, no problem if you have a sleeper ticket. On the return trip there was no chance for sleep as the old guy in the middle bunk snored like a buzz saw. We passed many cities and towns with a distinct industrial past coating everything. Krakow has this patina as well but its slowly being washed off.

 

Rather eerie ad that slooowly appeared through the frost as the train crawled out of this station.

Terry Gilliam could have shot from our Hostel window for Barron Munchhausen.

  We got a room to share at a local hostel, Momotown and were presented with the keys to an apartment divided up into 3 rooms with a private bath and only shared a kitchen. 10 Euro a night! Its in the Jewish quarter which is a great area. Lots to see and explore, good places to eat and drink etc.

The city castle, Wawel Royal Castle

Much of the city centre is classic old Europe with the castle and city walls at the heart never far from a river. Walking through the narrow streets is great, so much old stone architecture, so many little courtyards hidden behind worn wooden doors. And of course the central square, the traditional home of the market.

Courtyard of the castle.

Drain pipes from the Cathedral within the castle walls.

  As usual, I make a point of avoiding the western chain shops and going for something local. We of course tried the traditional Polish Milk Bar for lunch on Saturday, very good, filled us up and for about 3 Euro each. On Sunday we found an amazing place for lunch, an old restaurant called "Gospoda Koko" on Gotebia street, just south of the main square.

It may not look too fancy but the taste is amazing.

  I forget what it was called but it was some kind of soup with potatoes and smoked pork. Simple is good.

  It WILL be busy. The two dining rooms upstairs were full so we had to go down to the cellar. For me this is great but the down side is you have to pick up your order and bring it down IF you sit THERE. The stairs are old rounded stone and you have to turn 180 as you go. Doing this while holding a hot plate of soup sloshing close to the fingers is enough to wake you from any afternoon lull.

 Next door to our Hostel was a good restaurant called "Ariel". Its classic Jewish food. Good but a bit pricey, worth a try but I'd rather go back to the Koko place.

 On the main square is a cafe called Castor Coffee. I think it might be the polish version of Starbuck$ but despite that its really good. Chai late with a shot of espresso, nice change. The logo has what looks like a Beaver in it so the Canadian in me approved.

  I'd like to try Warsaw next I think, I hear its the next Berlin:)

The other Woodstock (in Poland)

In August I went to the massive European version of Woodstock in Przystanek, Poland. Absolutely amazing. Last year the estimated crowd was 300,000, this year they expected about 500,000 but the number the organizers stated later was 700,000. Whatever the number, it was BIG, perhaps a bit too big.

The headline group was "The Prodigy", they seemed to be uncomfortable with the crowd as they were talking to us in English and most didn't seem to recognize anything other than "hello Poland" big cheer for that! Thanks go to our gang for the photos:

On the way to the site there were lots of entrepreneurs with the BBQ. And so much choice for the vegetarians too! Well perhaps the next stall. The food at the fest was much the same, typical eastern European meat and potatoes but considering the captive audience the prices were quite good.

The main stage from the top of the hill. Our camp was off to the right in the trees.

As the saying goes, you don't buy beer you rent it

The theme of the weekend was Peace, Love, Music, Friendship...

Sometimes the jokes just write themselves. The politically correct version would be, "money challenged, pale refuse".

Waaaay to many conservative girls at this party.

The group of couch surfers that went this year

Now its Woodstock

Each marching to their own beat. We can all get along.

The view from the top of the main stage This was impressive...

But when you're in the middle of that and this comes up on the big screen at night, wow.

White culture, gotta love it....

Give beer a chance.... free beer....make beer not war.

Yep, we all had a good time...

And then you get home... a document of my state before the 3 showers to get all the dirt out.

  So it was a great experience and worth doing at least once. The only problems were a slight mishap in the mud pool which required some stitches and our backpacks were stolen :( Some friends were sharing my tent and Manuel had a nice camera with him. We figure the moron's in question followed us back to out tent to see where the camera would be later. That night we were down at the main stage for the final concert and the moron's came and took my bag and his bag but left the girls bag. Obviously they were after the guys stuff with the goodies. Fortunately Manuel left the camera somewhere other than in the tent so it was ok. All I lost was clothes but unfortunately also my sketchbook with drawings from last years trip to Europe, So that can't be replaced but I'm REALLY glad I didn't bring my camera. Karma will return that pair of jeans and a few T-shirts. The moron's should watch the Karma rear view mirror, its coming for ya.