Trains, planes, and automobiles - in Polish

So, one last and final good-bye to Bartosz in the chilly air. It was, after all, the middle of the night. Practicing how to say the town we were going to (pronounced "Jeshuv), how to say "airport", and "taxi". Tired, but full of anticipation...

We were headed to a town about 4 hours away. From the train station we would have to get a taxi to the airport. No small feat when you don't speak the language - and nobody speaks yours.

I felt like an exchange student once again. But this time, I wasn't 18. Bartosz warned us of thieves on the train, of keeping warm, keeping to ourselves. Hmmm, didn't make for good thoughts of a nice long nap - but it reminded me of my 18 hour train trip in 3rd class seating in Chile when I was there. THAT was a learning experience! But my ticket was only $8. :)

So, I journaled. Watched out the window at the passing towns, wondering what must be going on there. What do people do for a living? Not that long ago, this country was under communist hold. How abundant everything must seem now!

Soon we arrived at the train station. We had about 4 hours. First things first though - we needed to use the restroom (since ahem, we didn't on the train!). What might seem like something simple...was simply not...the door was locked. So, we went to what we thought was the customer service center to explain our predicament and get a key.

I am not kidding when I say that NOBODY spoke English. We tried drawings, gestures, "sounds like", anything to communicate. Ouch. The harsh reality was - we just couldn't communicate!

Fortunately, we went back to check and the attendant had just not been there. We paid our little bathroom fee and went on our merry way to explore!

Ever wonder what it's like on a train at 4 am?? In the middle of Poland?? With all you own in a little suitcase???? And a bathroom that really DOES dump onto the train tracks???????????

Smart travelers! These were part of a group of guys on a "stag" weekend, completely unaware of the Pope's visit and Prohibition. They were part of our group that didn't make it out of Krakow.

And down the mountain we came...

What goes up...must come down. At least, that is what they say!

Once again, we were running out of time in Poland. We were due to board the train at 4 am the next morning. We left the cable car and once again, Bartosz was full of surprises! We went into the town near his father's home to investigate the Tatra mountains from a different perspective, enjoying the sites and refreshments in their local restaurants.

Poland continued to amaze both Jenny and I. I think that it is one of the best kept secrets. How sad that the perception of Poland is not different - the country, and the wonderful people, have so much to offer!

And then it was time for the final leg of our Poland adventure - how to get to London via um, uh, let's see...all I can tell you is the name of the city where we had to go catch a plane...yeah, it started with R, I think the next letter was S...but it was prounounced like this: "Jeshuv". Oh yes, it would be an adventure, don't you think?

This gives you an idea of the elevation where we were. The little black lines and connectors indicate where we rode the cable car!

Time for a quick refreshment! Note the paddlewheel in the background.

Stopped off in this cool little mountain town nearby.

Our visit to the Tatra Mountains!

Let me paint the picture...here are Jenny and I, not sure what is next. Bartosz races around corners in this small mountain town and suddenly he slows and parks in front of a bus on a small side street. Now, remember that he can talk all day on his cell phone and we can't even pick up a word. For a fleeting moment, I really wondered what he was up to and if I would have to bungee jump or worse! Like take a 3-hour tour!

Suddenly he is talking to an older man, after he tells us to stay put in the car. What is going on??

We are asked to come inside this quaint older home with the bus parked out front. The older man is Bartosz father! He lives up here in the mountains with his daughter! What fun!! They didn't really speak English. I love challenges like that!

We put our stuff down and smelled something wonderful in the kitchen. His sister had prepared a lovely luncheon for us, home-made and from scratch! Though I didn't take a picture, I do believe at some point, it involved polska kielbasa!

After eating, Bartosz put us back in the car and drove a little ways to a little tourist area, which included a cable car to the top of the Tatra Mountains! We were here and we were so thankful to have another day with our kind host! WOW!!

The welcoming entryway of Bartosz' father's home.

When I was an exchange student, I used to annoy everyone because I would take pictures of the meals and gatherings. Those are such special moments to capture. This one was no exception! The home-made soup, and the company, were spectacular in this little mountain town!

What other way to get up a mountain than by cable car? I'll admit I was a bit shaky about it but it was a beautiful ride! Bartosz continued to be full of surprises!

Doesn't this look photo-shopped? No, that is the true beauty of the Tatra mountains. And we were standing in the middle of it! It was pretty cold in contrast to Krakow, note the snow!

I love this photo of my friend Jen!!! Taking in the Tatra mountains. All God's beauty and creation!

Jenny climbed on this pinnacle post and it was just the coolest thing! After I tried on my own, I was even more impressed!!

One more day in Poland!

Well. Here we were. One more day in Poland!

Quietly, Bartosz had us pack up everything and leave it ready at the house. He suggested a sweater and that we would be in the car. What was he up to??

The one thing we hadn't had time to do was to visit the Tatra mountains. He started driving and soon we saw the beautiful range pictured above. I really didn't know what to expect, since the landscape in Krakow seemed so strangely familiar - much like Ohio. Well this part definitely wasn't!

We drove for quite some time, taking it all in. We arrived in a small mountain town and Bartosz started taking back roads through town. I thought it was so strange, like he knew the area very well. What was he up to now?

And then...the ultimate last surprise...

By now Jenny and I were anxious to get to the airport and head to London. We were held up for quite some time outside the airport. Everything was shut down to accommodate the great Catholic world leader, Pope Benedict.

We inched closer only to find more roads closed and more people also anxiously awaiting.

It was getting dark. Our plane was to leave at 9 pm...

Bartosz finally succeeded in getting us within what normally would be considered a reasonable walking distance. We said our goodbyes and headed toward the airport with the rest of the crowd, suitcases and carry-ons in tow. We stood with a crowd outside the iron gates of the airport, listening to the fanfare and seeing the lights from the tarmack as the Polish people said their last goodbyes to the Pope.

We looked at each other and an odd feeling overwhelmed both of us. Such a large group of people, all waiting with suitcases and their belongings, waiting for the iron gates to open...it strangely seemed like a recent visit to Auschwitz! Even though logic dismisses it, obviously the visit had left a deep and lasting impression on us.

It was a bittersweet end. I would miss Bartosz and his kind and generous ways with us! But we were to meet another of Jenny's friends in London. That could only promise other new adventures!

We finally made it in and were able to somehow find a line to join hundreds of others. We waited and waited. And waited some more. 9 pm came and went and there we still stood. Announcements in Polish were impossible to catch...but something about a flight delay...no...what was that? Cancelled? CANCELLED??? WHAAAATTTTT???

Now, normally, my hardy experience in travel would kick in. Someone would get an earful and I would be on my way to a first class seat on the next plane out. Someone would be calling their boss before they were done with me.

But wait. I didn't speak the language, for starters. We were in the wrong line to find out what to do. Plus, this was RYAN AIR, the world's CHEAPEST airline I had ever encountered, and no, we hadn't bought the insurance! Things didn't really work the same way as what I was used to. PLUS, I was on vacation! I didn't really care to get upset and all worked up over ANYTHING!

All of this translated into a result that just wasn't quite expected. Yes, that's right, not only was our flight CANCELLED...we couldn't get out on another plane for...3 more days!!!!! You have GOT to be kidding!! Apparently, the next day was some type of holiday and the flights were all booked. All the flights the next 2 days were overbooked. Here we were...and our next flight after our London stay was to be to Barcelona- on Tuesday. !!!!!!!! If we missed that AND London...oh my. What a mess to our stair-step European itinerary.

After much discussion and explaining, the best they could come up with was a flight out of a town about 2 hours away, which would require a train trip at 4am into a town I couldn't even pronounce! And it wouldn't leave until Tuesday morning. What were we to do??? There was no direct flight to Barcelona from Krakow. We had to take a plane to London. Thankfully, at least this was an option that would work, albeit in a roundabout way.

Jenny and I always try to make the best of everything. Though we were a bit concerned about how to get from point A to point B...thankfully, Bartosz came to our rescue. We were able to find his cell phone and he came all the way back to the airport to retrieve us and our meager belongings. Exhausted and tired, he found room for us in his spare bedroom to bunk down for the night. We would figure the rest out tomorrow....

PS, ours was the ONLY flight cancelled out of all the flights leaving Krakow that day. Well, I guess I didn't have to be sad to leave Krakow, at least for a little longer!

Krakow Last Day Surprises

May 28th dawned rainy and cool for our last day in Krakow. Jenny and I packed our belongings and Bartosz came to play tour guide one last time.

Let me just begin by telling you that this was another 100 picture day, and the surprises just kept coming! Start at the bottom of this post to see the order of the day and each new surprise we encountered!

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UH OH - Our ALMOST final surprise of the day...I was trying not to play The Late Game...and Bartosz was nervous about getting us to the airport with the traffic from the Pope's departure. It's good that we heeded his advice and left hours early bound for the airport. Guess what we encountered? Closed roads, no way into the airport, shortcuts blocked. Hundreds, thousands waiting to enter Krakow airport (much smaller than Columbus' airport). Two girls bound for London with just a suitcase and a prayer (or two!). Does anyone know what the FINAL surprise was for us that day??

A sweet surprise - upon returning to Bartosz' house to retrieve our suitcases and things - our gracious host and caregiver, funny and generous new friend - Bartosz presented both Jenny and I with a beautiful rose! What better way to make the memory last but to take a picture. Thanks again, Bartosz!

A beautiful view of the river outside downtown Krakow...

This famous fire-breathing dragon was one of our last stops leaving downtown. The surprise here was that not only did it actually breathe fire, but one would think that is was an ancient Chinese secret that caused it to breathe fire intermittently.

That is, until you read the sign, thousands of years old...surprise!!!!

Picture Perfect view of the castle!

A really nice surprise - as we concluded our last pass at downtown Krakow, the skies began to clear and the sun warmed us up all around.

Friendly police officers in front of the Pope's hotel.

Art in a whole new form? The surprises continue...

The downtown was just full of surprises for us on our last day!

These show the yellow hotel where the Pope was staying. There was something famous about him greeting people from the window in the hotel, which is why I took a picture of it with the flowers (above). We couldn't get anywhere close to this spot before.

Here is a funny one. In the middle of the downtown, the name of this underground bar:

Third surprise - the incredible beauty of this church in downtown Krakow. It was INCREDIBLE on the inside. We weren't allowed to take pictures but it was beyond understanding. And the peace that was there was a beautiful thing of its own. The faith of these dedicated and devoted people was truly represented.

Second surprise - downtown Krakow - a live TV interview with a Cardinal!

First surprise - as we left the hostel, there was a quiet commotion down the street...

The POPE was returning to his hotel! I once again laugh at this picture and the way it is blocked, right where his face is! This was by far the closest we came in proximity to the man himself.

Also, something important that I want to share about my experience in Poland...they are a very quiet, reserved people. Jenny and I simply laughing out loud caused most to stare at us (okay, that might not seem strange to those of you who know me well. But it really was out of the ordinary!). Even with the many many people in town for the Pope's visit, and the crowds, and even here with the parade type atmosphere - there was a quiet hush - when the Pope passed by there was literally a sound of the people sucking in their breath, and a very quiet "oooo". It was neat to experience such a difference in culture!

But before the night could end...

A stay in a hostel would not be complete without having made some international friends. These guys were visiting for the weekend from Ireland (though they are French and Belgium natives) and had no idea that A. The Pope was visiting and B. Prohibition was in effect!

A last shot of our Hostel in downtown Krakow.

We had to say goodbye to Magda. Bartosz was taking us to the airport on Sunday. :(

As we made our way back to the hostel, the night was crisp and the downtown empty. Bartosz was worried about traffic to the airport since the Pope was to depart around the same time our flight was scheduled. When we arrived at the hostel, we had to tell Magda goodbye. She was such a wonderful host to us and we were sad to say good-bye! As she and Bartosz left, we sat down in the common area to catch our breath and plan for our packing up portion. Ugh. The room at the hostel, shared with 4 other people, was very small and difficult to move around in and pack and repack, etc. This is why I wasn't buying souvenirs! I had one small carry-on size suitcase and a carry-on bag!

As many of you know from receiving my e-mail during this time - Prohibition was in effect. Prohibition? WHAT? Yes, out of respect for the Pope's visit, all purchase and consumption of alcohol was strictly forbidden. All bars and liquor stores were closed. Although I did read in the Newark Advocate (of all things!) that during this time the Pope had wine with his dinner!!! I sent that link to all my new Polish buddies for a good laugh.

So, in the meantime while we were deciding how to pack and spend our last day in Poland, there were several guys sitting in the common area of our hostel as well. Most were French, one was from Belgium, but the French guys were living in Ireland, working. They happened to come to Poland on holiday, unaware of the Pope's visit or that the purchase and consumption of alcohol would be forbidden! Needless to say, they were the adventurous type and somehow bargained their way into some form of imbibing material. Since they had just arrived that day, we shared some stories with them, photos, places to visit, maps. Then, two more girls joined us that were staying in our room. Turns out they were from Pennsylvania, two sisters that were on vacation as one had just graduated from college. Somehow it was decided among them that to keep the noise down (other residents were sleeping), the party should be taken outside and to some local bar or dance club - did anyone pay any attention to the facts about Prohibition??

From here - the sketchy details - someone or two or three, departed the hostel with open containers...didn't even get to the corner near the plaza and the entire group was taken into custody by the 8 million police officers manning the area...(didn't anyone notice that, either??)

Fortunately for them, they were just held for a while and questioned. Pretty tough to answer Polish police officers that don't speak English, I would imagine!!!

Almost the end of our visit to Poland

What a cool spot to enjoy our late dinner. This was located in downtown Krakow.

How better to finish off a chilly day than by eating the nation's best...POLSKA KIELBASA!

Soon the visit from the Pope would be just a memory, caught in pictures and the local paper.

Soon, all that would be left of our visit to Poland would be our memories. Pictures, souvenirs, words and the friends we had made. I was sad to think we had to leave so soon. Our plane was to depart the next evening, Sunday night, bound for new adventures in other countries (next stop, London for a thorough tour!). Though I was really excited to move on with my itinerary, I ultimately had not really expected to enjoy my visit to Poland as much as I did. I went without expectation and was very pleasantly surprised to be introduced to Eastern Europe and the beautiful people and culture.