Malmö, Sweden and Krakow Day 1

Day 152 – June 1

I got up early to make sure I’d see Dori before she went into the city and I went off to Poland. It was a little rough when it finally sunk in that this was goodbye. I already miss the idea of having her around…you get so used to roommates, so if they’re not there anymore…

At 1, I met Andrzej on the train and made it for the first time to Malmö. It was a really nice city, basically an extension of Copenhagen but very cute. Nor was it as crowded as Copenhagen, but this may have been due to the fact it was raining.

On the train





Turning Torso, tallest building in Scandinavia

Andrzej and I found a playground, so of course we played in it. I had to lament that I am now too tall for many of the playthings, but that won’t stop me. We then discovered that taking a shortcut through the grass turned out to be a mistake – a minefield of goose droppings – and we were then attacked by suicidal ducks who wanted our food. But the park was pretty!





We found our way to a chocolate factory recommended by our map. It sounded like it would be large, but it ended up being one room with some displays and a shop. It was actually really nice – the chocolate was delicious, and the hot cocoa was steamed milk with hot fudge just poured in. Mmmm….!



At 5, we met Julia and Marcin at a pizza place, ate extremely greasy pizza, took the bus to the airport (during which Marcin decided to sing the horrible song “Last Christmas”, and now keeps singing it purposefully to get it in my head…one day, Marcin, one day I will find a way to get you back ;-)), and then shared six scoops of Ben and Jerry’s ice cream. Meghan would be pleased to know that Marcin called it the best ice cream he’s had so far.

A short plane flight later, we arrived in Katowice, split from Marcin, met Kasia, and with one minor detour, drove to Krakow.

Expecting no less from previous experience, Julia and I were greeted with amazing hospitality. In Poland, apparently June 1 is Children’s Day, so Julia and I each got a little bear, and each an entire box of these chocolate wafers “to try”. Julia pointed out that most people, wanting you to try something, would just give you one bar, whereas we got an entire box each. Take this as a summary of my trip to Poland, and how hospitable a time we had :)

It was late by the time we got to sleep, so I was out like a light.

Day 153 – June 2

Another defining feature of our trip was food. I can confidently say we were never lacking in it. And it was always amazing.

We started our day with a visit to the Museum of Ethnography. Andrzej’s aunt who works there gave us a wonderful tour, so I was able to learn so much more than if we had just walked through on our own. And though she kept apologizing for her English, it was still better than most Americans can speak a second language, and possibly better than some can speak their first language. The old holiday art traditions are so beautiful!

Photos taken from the internet:
Easter
Christmas

Krakow, not raining as predicted

I love European streets

From there, Julia and I had a tour of the Wawel Castle, in which I once again wondered why we aren’t taught more about Poland in World/European History classes. Our guide was good, if a bit in a hurry, and we learned some fun facts, like how the fate of the world lies in the strength of really old iron chains.



Wawel Cathedral



If you touch the clapper with your left hand and make a wish, it will come true.

The bones on the left wall are "dragon" bones, and when they fall, the world ends.

Julia, who was in Krakow in March, took me from there to see a fire-breathing dragon – along the way we could see the evidence of the flooding – and then the city center. I wandered through the market square, finding some decent gifts, and listened to the trumpeter of St. Mary’s Basilica on the hour. It’s a really nice square – it gets my stamp of approval.