Hotel Jan Krakow

... lining the walkways, and it was actually very ‘serene,’ if that makes sense. And then you remember what occurred there and the serene atmosphere becomes more haunting. Birkenau is about a 10 minute drive away, and our driver took us to the backside of the camp and met us at the front. Birkenau is much larger then Auschwitz, and significantly bleaker, it has also been left nearly untouched. The gas chambers that the Nazis blew up are still ...

... We both said that we felt so many overwhelming emotions, so in the end you felt so full and drained that you don't really know what to feel. It was very harrowing, we both got a bit teary all the way round, especially when you walk through one of the gas chambers and crematoriams they had used to murder 1000's of people. AND by the way our tour guide knew loads about Auschwitz...she was very knowledgeable which was good because we learnt so much more about what ...

... one into the crematoria. In the defeat of the German army in 1945 against the Soviets they tried to burn all proof that everything ever existed. But they failed to burn all records. On exhibition was the personal records of the in mates. It was a creepy feeling remembering on of the names in the records. One of those from the heap of bags. Faces from the photos. Well the weather had conspired with everything. It was bleak, cold, and awefully quiet in the concentration camps. From ...

... near my exit point. I turned my back and fled as she cussed and yelled and sprayed her cleaner. 80's top 40 hits continued over the loudspeaker. So now we're in Krakow. Cool town, but then Europe is full of cool towns. We're not sure what to do from here. North to Warsaw to visit friends, and perhaps onwards to Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia?!? Ferry to Denmark?!? West to Prague?!? West to Berlin?!? I think we'll head west for a day, anyway, and check out Auschwitz. Any suggestions?

... she knows they are not Gipsy's.. But wants to know what the British term is..... She means Pikies of course, her mum comes out and asks her to ask me again, she has told them they must leave tomorrow and asks me to write down the word for them... hope the caravan doesn't get burnt down. Despite that we were put on the top field in a large pitch away from them and we don't share the same toilet block, so no problems. She tells me how to get into town and find Tesco's..... Now as sad ...

... we got to see so much interesting architecture already. We also went to the castle (Wawel) and looked at everything thing there and touched Poland's largest bell for good luck. People here are so great! we have people from 47 countries studying with the program so it's great meeting all these other folk. Two nights ago, went to a nightclub called Cien, underground of course. It was badass. Last night, we went to a Hookah bar with actual belly ...

Wow! Fortunately preserved old town made for walking, always full of action, and much to see. Despite the massive number of tourists, still one of the most worthwhile cities to see and and to go for fun. There may not be all that much left at Wawel Castle, but the stories and the setting make up for it.

... cheap accommodations, and just far enough out of the way to avoid the major tourist trail. Ryan and I arrived in Poland and found our hostel with relative ease. It is nice to be traveling around in Europe right now because it is past the normal tourist times. We had our choice of the best hostels in the city without having to book ahead a week in advance as is usual during the summer months. We decided on a nice hostel known for its cleanliness, free ...

... into the woods. There was 1 regular toilet we had stopped but it was very smelly, very dark and well, we couldn't wait. Everyone got back on the bus and Angie was in pain. She had stood in stinging nettles and her legs were red and bumpy. Nurse Claire to the rescue - she knew that wherever stinging nettles grow, so does jewelweed - natures cure. She jumped out of the bus, grabbed some, crushed it up and placed the juice onto Angie's legs. All cured. We arrived ...

... I met Marta, a Spanish girl working in Prague that was travelling to Krakow for the weekend. We luckily only shared our couchette with one other person which normally fits 6. It was suprisingly comfortable sleeping overnight in the old train. We checked ourselves into the Garden Hostel very centrally located near the centre square in Krakow. I was very impressed. One of the finest hostels I have stayed. It is also half the price of hostels in Western ...