FRIDAY & SATURDAY

Friday was the 7 hour train excursion to Krakow.We settled in with our iPads/phone and found the hidden power station!!Across from us was a British male and an Australian female.It was the usual conversation about where do you live etc.WELL they had just returned to UK after 10 years in Tantallon ,NS.So the 7 hours passed quickly with long conversations about their experiences,how there 2 children(now 18 and 26)faired in our educational system…..mixed really ….one having started in England and one in Canada.The usual discussions re uniforms for school….and we all agreed excellent idea….but could you imagine the upheaval in Nova Scotia.

Then he said to me that he wanted to ask me a personal question.Not knowing what to expect,I said sure.So, he said who is your hair dresser,as he had worked in the supply products industry in the city….AND he keeps regular contact with Ann Noddin…Betty’s hair dresser and Mike’s cousin!What was the likelihood.

We finally arrived to chaos.The Polish people waiting to get on our train car,were trying to board even before we were off.WE actually had to push our way out with our small suitcases as they all came with “trunk” size suitcases.As you can imagine,Michael was the last person off,being polite and all.

Another Country ,and another change in currency.Off to the bank machine,as we needed to go to the WC….and you have to pay money.Michael had had it with his Lebara SIM card,as he had no data without WiFi.Time to buy the Orange SIM card very cheaply.As it turned out it was a God send!We got a taxi to our accommodations.There was no reception,but all admittance to the building was done with codes for 3 different doors.And it had been send to Michael’s email.We finally got into the apartment,single room with kitchenette,and bathroom.

WE decided it was time for food and drink and then a wander in the neighbourhood.We are in the Old City Centre half a block from the Old city Square.It was all magical with the lights,the people,horse drawn buggies,children playing with lit toys they shot into the air.The architecture is like none other we have seen,but it overlaps with so much. Of what we have seen

We headed back for sleep.BUT on our way into the building was a new couple struggling with the email information. They were from Spain,and only spoke Spanish.So we got out our translator apps and help sort it out.

Saturday came early with more chores…we needed to reserve seats from Krakow to Berlin,and it seems you can not do it on line.So,we stood in the international line.BUT all the first class seats were gone…so we will be downgraded to second class train ride.

WE had to organize transportation to Auschwitz’s.We have a booked tour for 9 am,and the ride is 70 minutes.Turns out we will need to take the 6:59 train to arrive on time…and need to be at the train station 15 minutes before that.Hopefully the sun will be up.

By then it was 30 degrees in the shade,so siesta time.I had great plans to do the laundry…but the clothes would still be dirty tomorrow…and so postponed to the earlier,cooler part of the day.

We headed out once more to the Square.It was Saturday,thus the Saturday market.We wandered and admired so much beautiful crafts and potential gifts.We would need a whole suitcase to even start.Michael expressed a desire to return with Vicki and her brother Dom for guidance.We wandered the perimeter of the Square and identified a Polish restaurant for Monday night after Auschwitz.

We finished the evening with a beer at The Hard Rock Cafe Krakow for old times sake.

No sweatshirt was purchased as they were all hoodies and no suitcase room!!