Krakow

 Krakow

Hi Readers,

Two posts quickly in a row, that doesn't happen often. I spent the past few days in Warsaw and have now been in Krakow for a couple of days.

I'm enjoying this city so much more than Warsaw mainly because it has so much of the old feel about it, something that we have always looked for in our trips to Europe. Don't get me wrong, Warsaw was great, but this city is more to my liking.

Upon getting here yesterday I did the usual thing and dropped my bags off (they even let me check in 5 hours early!!) and headed out on foot. Straight away I searched for "Krakow Old Town" and to my joy it was only a 10-15 min walk from here. 

And I was far from disappointed.

Lots of really old town buildings, streets and architecture. I suppose they were spared from most of the destruction from WW2.

While I was walking these streets and then the main square I had this funny feeling that I couldn't explain, and it has taken until today for me to figure it out. I think.

In all the years when we were first married, then along came the boys, I always had a burning ambition to travel to Europe and walk the streets and experience the vibe that is often presented on travel shows. Family came first, so I thought that it would always remain a dream, but as the boys grew up and flew the nest, suddenly Jen and I were off on a number of trips to Europe where I finally was able to experience my dream. We have countless photos of the both of us just wandering streets and soaking in what it must be like to live in that place. We were relentless traffic stoppers, meaning whoever was walking behind us must have been so frustrated because we were never in a hurry, and kept stopping and staring, before recommencing our snail pace excursion.

The Old Town Square. The photo doesn't give justice to the history and beauty of this square.

I did visit some attractions and a museum yesterday, but the things I remember most are just the random shots taken in the streets.

And you'll notice I'm not doing selfies!!!

So that's what I have done yesterday and today, and yes, I've been a traffic stopper. I'm in no hurry, so I just amble along, which in a way is better for me as the ankle that is facing upcoming surgery has called it quits already 😖 I was out all morning today, then came home for a brief rest. I thought I'd seen everything I wanted to see but the wanderlust in me ( and my inability to sit still) saw me rug up again and head out for one last  hit. This time I was very conscious of just soaking up the atmosphere and realising how lucky I am to be doing this.

While out yesterday I started to feel that even though I was doing something that I have always yearned for, I didn't think that I was actually enjoying it. I know, I hear you. Stop being so precious!!!

I couldn't put my finger on it, but I think I have after today. 

Usually in the past when we have been wandering, we would stop and talk, take photos of things with one or both of us in the photo. We'd amble into shops to buy souvenirs or gifts, and randomly park ourselves at an outdoor restaurant for a meal or drink. Or just sit and people watch.

I'm not doing any of that.

While walking in the glorious sunshine yesterday the Old Town Square was alive and people were everywhere having a meal and drink.

I'd always dreamed of being somewhere doing this, and here I am.

The chatter was huge, the tables were packed, and back in the day we would have grabbed a table ourselves and sat back for an hour or so.

I just can't bring myself to grab a table and sit on my own. Everyone would be saying "There's Nigel No Friends" over there!! I know it sounds ridiculous, but I get so self conscious sitting somewhere on my own in a pub or restaurant, so I just don't do it. Maybe I just might go crazy one day in the coming weeks and do it.

I must admit to feeling envious of all the couples and groups doing it, maybe I should have just gatecrashed a table, just like the Griswald's gatecrashed a house in European Vacation!!

In the meantime I've discovered these bad boys and buy one each day and munch on it as I wander the streets. The little carts are everywhere, and it took me a few times to discover that there are different flavours.

Basically, it's a bread ring.

I had a "ThankYou For Your Service" moment with this lovely old lady. Read a previous post with that heading to see what I mean.

Yesterday I bought one for the princely sum of 3 Zlotis (AUD $1.23) and took a few bites out of it before realising that something wasn't quite right. It tasted like it had been cooked in the Dead Sea it was sooooo salty. My arteries went into immediate Code 1 !! As I walked past the cart again I saw a little sign that described the flavours, and it seems I was given the one labelled 'Salty". Well, at least their advertising is accurate.

So when I went to a cart today all I could say was "No salt, No salt" and the world was a better place again.

I think I may have been expecting this trip to be like all the others, and I've quickly come to realise that it is far different. The first leg in NYC was perfect as I had family to visit every day, but now that I am flying solo I miss the opportunity to get a photo taken of me at a place, rather than just a photo of the place.

In NYC people were happy to take a shot, but here in Poland they are very stern and don't look very approachable at all. I know I'm making a mass generalisation there, but whenever I've gone to buy tickets or seek directions, I feel like I've asked them to donate their organs immediately!!!

So for the next few weeks I'll just approach everything with a different mindset, because I don't want to get home feeling that I didn't have a good time.

One other thing that has really bugged me today. I woke up with no voice at all. A bit of a cough (not covid) and feeling flat, but no voice at all. It's not that I've been talking too much, I've got no-one to talk to!! Maybe that's why the ticket lady at the train station was so gruff to me today, because I was talking in my dirty voice. Or maybe she was gruff to me because it just saves time!!

One bonus already has been some contact made with an old friend from Boarding School who has been living in England for a long time. He got in touch with me a few days ago and it looks like we might be catching up in London if all our stars align, which will be great.

This morning I wandered up to the Old Town Square to view the Krakow Marathon, it was a huge setup.

But while yesterday was warm and sunny, even warm enough to ditch the jumper, today was the opposite.

Our forecast was bleak, with a minimum of -2 degrees, and a top of 2 degrees. Not the hugest difference!

Anyway, as I found a spot near the finish line I was taken aback by what this finish line looked like compared to the ones I'd experienced when I was running marathons. In one in particular I 'cooked' due to the heat, no chance of that happening here today. All the marshalls were rugged up so tight that they looked like commandoes.

It was brisk to say the least, and as I got closer to the Square, snow flurries started.

If it's that cold, then running around in a singlet and shorts leads to some parts of the body really feeling the cold, and I mean all parts!!

But these legends persevered, even those who pedalled. The thing that struck me at the finish line, apart from the standard fruit and drinks, was the foil sheets to wrap oneself in to fight the cold.

If they ran it yesterday, perfect conditions, today was bit different. Respect🫡

And look at what the temp was at the finish, let alone the what it "feels Like".

I usually disregard the 'feels like' , tending to side with what it actually is, but for today I definitely felt every degree less than zero.

Let's hope this video plays!!

Well Readers,

A few great days in Krakow. Tomorrow could be a range of feelings and emotions as I'm visiting Auschwitz-Birkenau. I've been trying to learn as much as I can about it beforehand, but I don't think anything will prepare me for the reality of the place.

Another ramble, but the mind is spinning today as I need to start looking at this trip from another point of view. After tomorrow it's off to another country and as I don't have any tours booked I feel very relaxed, my days will be whatever I want to do. I just received a text from the tour company to say that pickup is 5.45am tomorrow, so it's off to bed for me.

Until my next post,

Cheers 😁 

 Poland

Hi Readers,

Another day and another airport. I left NYC yesterday and flew into Heathrow. The difference in time zones really messes with me, as we left at 8.10 am ( meaning rising at 3.00 to get to JFK) and landed in London at 8.30 pm after a long 6 and a half hour flight.

Some great maths investigations to be had there if I was still teaching!!

I was Mr Discipline with the food on this flight and didn't take a thing. After my flight to NYC I ate what was offered to me on the plane and felt like a big blob for a day afterwards. So now I'm watching what I eat very carefully and sticking to regular meal times no matter how enticing or disgusting the food looks. In fact, the roll that they gave me on the flight to London was pretty industrial to say the least. The only ingredient in it that I could confidently identify was the tomato. And the fact that it was icy cold didn't make it very appetising at all. After I said No each time they came around with food, by the end of the flight they had stopped asking me. Bad luck if I suddenly got hungry!!

Last night I flew into Heathrow, got a taxi to my hotel 10 mins away and bedded down almost immediately. It was up early this morning and back over to the airport where I am now waiting to board a flight to Poland.

Jen and I have been so lucky to have visited many places in Europe, and so many of them we would have loved to visit again. Venice and London have been the only places we have been to more than once. And Vancouver for me. I was nearly thinking of visiting some previous places again, but held back as I just don't know if this will be my last overseas trip. I'll confess that I will be staying at a place next week that Jen and I always hoped to revisit as it was so special to us when we were there, so stay tuned for that post. We never know what might be around the corner, as I unfortunately experienced.

For many years I have wanted to visit Auschwitz in Poland. I know that sounds a bit morbid, it still troubles me a little at what I expect to see, and what what will be unexpected.

The history of the place and the circumstances have always intrigued me, so I planned that on this trip it would be the major focus of the European leg.

And after what I have seen in Warsaw so far only adds to my interest in the history of this place.

This morning I fly into Warsaw, and I'm expecting some challenges with language, reading addresses etc. In the past there was always two of us to work things out, so doing it solo adds to the complexity a bit, but at the same time creates a healthy challenge.

I remember a few years ago when I was in Finland on my own how challenging it was in a place that wasn't mainly English ( and why should it be?) and it was almost a daily conquest if I got to where I needed to be without causing too much angst.

The next few days will be in Warsaw just looking around. Often I don't go for the big tourist attractions as I just like to absorb the locality just like one of the locals. Then it's a train trip to Krakow, a trip that I'm looking forward to as one sees so much more from the train. The next few trips will all be on trains, so I'll be seeing a bit of Europe in the manner that I really enjoy. Much better than flying. Slower yes, but a bit more relaxing.

As I sit here in Heathrow I'm struck by what a melting pot of people it is. Just looking at the flight details on the boards shows just how vast the network of flights from here is.

People watching is so interesting, and hearing all the different accents really makes one aware of how many people are travelling at any one time. And the travel habits of some leave nothing to the imagination. On yesterday's flight I was in an exit row on the wing side of the plane. In the seats in the middle row there was a wall about a metre and a bit from the seats, and these people had extra leg room too. But one bloke took it a bit far for most of the flight. He decided to put his feet up against the wall, as if he was lazing about in his own backyard, causing interference for anyone who needed to walk through, especially the flight attendants. I just wished that he was told to get his bloody shoes off the wall!! Who goes into someone else's place and does that? So why do it on a plane? The bloke near me did the same with his feet going on the side wall of the plane, but at least he took his shoes off. Then again, having his smelly feet on it didn't help that much!!

At the boarding gate where I am there are people around me having to stand, because so many seats are unavailable. Why? Because so many people park themselves on a seat, then park their luggage on the seats around them. There's plenty of room on the floor in front of them for a suitcase!!!

There we are, rant over ! But I could go on and on!!!

 A funny moment on the flight yesterday.

As I was in the exit row, it is also right near the toilet.

As the flight was nearing London, there was a constant stream (no pun intended!) of people heading to the loo for a last effort before landing. A rather large bloke joined the queue and eventually made his way in. I was just keeping a mental note of how long he'd been in there as the queue started to grow. A few people were asking if someone actually was in there, so I reassured them that I'd seen him go in. Minutes tick by... then more...then more.

Finally, after nearly 15 mins someone asked an attendant to check. She gave a little toggle of the door handle, then knocked gently and waited with her ear to the door. Then she belted the living daylights out of the door, listened again, gave a wry smile and said the problem was solved.

Within 10 seconds the door opened and this large man emerged, sweating profusely and looking sheepishly at everyone in the now long queue as he made his way back to his seat.

I don't know what was taking him so long, but I managed to hold on for the rest of the flight and not use that toilet!!!

So I have now finished my stay in Warsaw and headed south to Krakow today. More about that in my next post.

Warsaw surprised me somewhat. It was very modern, save for a lot of the big housing towers that dot the city. Maybe I was expecting more of the old town experience, so when I consulted the maps and headed to the old town district, there was basically nothing there that was old!

But something that I discovered during a visit to a museum might explain that.

During World War 2 Warsaw (and all of Poland) suffered immensely, and a walled ghetto was established in Warsaw. Refer to the photos below.

There was a massive uprising in 1944 that the Germans eventually put down with severe consequences. In this museum I watched a 3D movie showing the destruction of Warsaw at the end of the war. In the area I was staying it was totally obliterated. How they managed to rebuild this city after the war, and so many other European cities for that matter is something that I still can't comprehend. I'm still trying to wrap my head around the scale of the destruction then compared to what is here now.

Now some quick observations from strolling the streets of Warsaw...

• Every bloke looks and sounds  like the bad guys in a James Bond or Jason Bourne movie!! Anyone who I have asked a question responds in a surly grunt, then a puff on the dart that everyone seems to carry also! Maybe they are just responding naturally to me!!!

    

Now it seems I might be exaggerating a little, but that's how it appears to me!!

• If you are successful, you buy a mega expensive sports car and just fang it through the streets. I have seen untold numbers of them, and you hear them before you see them. Most just belt it away from the lights, then have to hit the skids just as quick as they are at the next light or have reached the speed limit.
• They have the most coins ever, right down to 1 zloty, which is about the size of an M&M. How do you think I struggle with these with my dodgy eyesight and increasingly arthritic hands🤬
• Traffic lights. You actually get more than enough time to cross the road, even having time to stop and take photos as you are crossing the road!!
• School groups everywhere, and they walk in pairs! Kids in my classes from recent years wouldn't know how to line up, let alone in pairs. I ran a casual shop!!
• Food accidents. I've been having trouble trying to translate some of the food items. Rather than buy a big bottle of milk for my coffee, and considering I was only there for two days, I opted for a smaller bottle of milk. Yogurt in your coffee is not recommended!!!  I bought a microwave pack of a curry and rice dish, then thought that the packet of Roti bread in the next shelf would go well with it. It also had some white stuff in it, which I thought was extra flavour and spice. So I zapped them all and loaded up the Roti with a helping of curry and rice. Turns out the "Roti" was actually a crepe with a sweet filling. Doesn't go well with curry and rice🤬🤮🤢
• Bike lanes. They dominate here, and one quickly learns to look both ways before crossing over as they just don't slow down!! And some of their bikes make my motorbike look small!!
  
  
  

Now some random snaps from Warsaw...

A memorial garden that shows part of the ghetto wall.

Where the old meets the new. Part of the old Ghetto Wall at the base of a new building.

Not Sure if this "Outdoor Furniture" shop is selling itself well!!

These towers dominate the city.

Looking out the window from my digs. Appropriate name for a Bottle Shop!!

When parallel parking is beyond you, just do your best!!

The Presidential Palace. How cool are those buses!!!

Table tennis tables set up in a park

A square I stumbled upon.

At peak hour, the trams are are just packed.

Well Readers, a gentle amble through Warsaw, I didn't want it to be a Lonely Planet summary, just a few ramblings from me as I am still in the early parts of this trip.

Today I got into Krakow and the weekend will be good for exploring. I had shorts and t-shirt on today, there is snow predicted in the coming days!!!

Until my next post,

Cheers😁

 New York City!

Hi Readers,

A real change from what I usually dish up to you. This is all about my first real big thing that I've done since I retired a few months ago. I was always planning to travel overseas this year, but as one son and his wife and the two grandsons moved over to NYC a few weeks ago, I decided to bring my trip forward and wander over there to see what the the big deal is about The Big Apple.

I must have been in a daze the day I booked my flight to New York. A few options had me changing flights twice, with long layovers. In the end I just opted for a flight that flew via Singapore, 2 hour layover then a hellish 17+ hours to New York. It took me just as long as most other options presented to me, but that long flight was a killer.

What was I thinking!!!!!!!

After about 7 or so hours to Singapore, then a layover I boarded for the next flight to New York. I have done the long haul flight from London to Melbourne a few times, even Vancouver to Melbourne a couple, but this one just seemed to take FOREVER !!

A few times I nodded off and was thinking that when I woke the in flight map would show that we were only a few hours out, or about to land. As If !!

A couple of times I woke up and checked the map only to see that we still had 11 hours to go, then 9. We were only half way! I'm sure that the more I watched the flight map, the slower we went and the longer the trip was becoming. And to make matters worse I was seated in between two other passengers, so I had to lan my toilet visits around when they were going too, as it was too hard to climb over them due to how they had set themselves up. Still, a very pedantic thing to worry about, as I am just so fortunate to be able to do these things.

So I land in New York at Newark Airport, and now I have to find out how to get to my digs in Manhattan. I had absolutely no idea which train line to take, what sort of ticket I needed or where to buy one, but I found an incredibly helpful attendant on the platform who did everything but hold my hand as he organised me with everything. 

"Just keep this ticket in your pocket and wait for the next train in 30mins on Platform A"

There was no way I was going to forget that, and I must have chanted it over in my head a thousand times!

Imagine my surprise when another person came up and asked me a question about the train system. As if I knew anything!

My first view of the NYC skyline from Newark.. If you zoom in you'll see the Empire State Building

After getting off the train in Manhattan, the next challenge was getting out of the station. I had absolutely no idea which exit was best for me so I just took a guess and went the way in which most people were walking. After a few missed turns and walking the wrong way for 10 mins I was soon at my digs, dropped off my bags early and started to find my way to see our son, his wife and the two grandsons.

This was a pretty straightforward trip along 8th Avenue for about 20 mins, then a slight turn at a roundabout and I was there. For the entire walk I was fascinated by the sights, sounds and smells of NYC. I haven't been here before, so to see some buildings that I had only seen on tv or read about was just a treat. Picture one of those rubberneck tourists standing on the corner and just looking around and turning circles, that was me!

Some things I learned quickly.

• Crossing at traffic lights. The lights are just a guide. If no cars are coming and it is red, you just go!

                 

• Escalators. Stick to the right, and leave the left hand side clear for those in a hurry.
• There are just as many of those New York City souvenir shops as there are people in New York. They are everywhere. In one block I saw two side by side and another directly across the street.
• Everyone rides their horn in their cars on the street. No matter if the traffice is blocked and not moving, they'll still honk at the person in front to move, even if they are blocked. The tooting is constant!
• No-one will starve in NYC. If the shop isn't a souvenir shop, it sells food of some sort. If you can't find a slice of pizza here you have not looked at all!
• You are never far away from a policeman/woman. They are everywhere
• 
              

                                    Not the biggest of police cars, but I'm sure it gets the job done!

• If you can't handle the smell of marijuana, stay indoors. It is everywhere, probably the most common smell that I have encountered. Not only are there shops that sell it legally, it is openly for sale from sellers on the street. I was at the playground with the kids and even there it was rife. I'm hoping it wasn't the kids using!!

I could go on and on about the multitude of other things that I have noticed, but where would I stop.

A quick digression here Readers.

I'm currently at the airport waiting to board a flight, and the lady beside me has a little dog in a small case. It is obviously going on the plane!

The way that she is pampering it, talking to it etc is driving me nuts. Think of those over the top types who speak to their pooches in baby babble, and she is this plus more. Now the little rat is yapping and snapping at her. Heaven help me if we are placed beside each other on the plane as one of them might not make it off safely!!

And just now a second dog has appeared, a border collie. Be interesting to know where they will be sitting.

The next few days Readers have been just a blur of rushing around this amazing city.

As I was just looking through my photos, although I see quite a few that were taken at various landmarks and tourist attractions, the majority are photos of being with the family. I feel that these attractions will always be there should I want to look at a photo of them, but the memories created can never be created again. Random shots taken in the street, at the playground or in the apartment will bring back memories of the stories behind those shots, whereas shots taken of the Empire State Building or Times Square are just a reminder that I have been there. I know for sure which photos I will keep gong back to look at.

 I hope this clip from Times Square opens!!

Times Square is just always buzzing.

The obligatory shot of the old girl.

The 9/11 Memorial. Seeing the names made it really hit home.

My daily highlight was the time spent with the Grandsons.

Who wouldn't want to live across the road from Central Park, we just had so much to do there.

And some obligatory shots of some attractions...

From the Empire State Building

Empire State Building

Ditto

Grand Central Station

From the Rockefeller Centre

Looking towards Central Park and where the family is staying.

Great tour done here.

Brooklyn Bridge

Brooklyn Bridge

Not the Brooklyn Bridge, but a great shot.

My last night in NYC

Well Readers,

A fantastic week in NYC highlighted each day by the time I was able to spend with my family. While seeing NYC for he first time has been great, seeing them was my main reason for being here, and it gave each day a real focus.

As I sit here at the airport contemplating the next part of my trip which I will be doing on my own, it is starting to feel so different as this will be the first time that I have undertaken such a trip since losing Jen. There will be no-one to do the "Ooohs and Aahs" with, no-one to express reactions to when being amazed by something experienced, and no-one to make sure the bookings and organising is done properly!!!

This is my new reality, and it's just something that I will learn to cope with, I'm sure I won't get lost or deported!!! 

Stay tuned for he next destination Readers, not sure when I will make the time to sit down and write as I'm just too stuffed each night and bomb out at my digs. Lots of train time in the next few legs, hopefully I'll use that time wisely.

And my apologies for not checking for typos!!

Until my next post ,

Cheers😁