So as I was saying we had just been overbooked, but we found the new hostel and it was fine. The original hostel also let us know that we could pop in any time during our stay to get topped up on beer free of charge (this we liked and used to our full advantage).
We spent Day 2 in Krakow visiting the Jewish quarter, although just a few minutes by foot from the market square it seemed a world away. I wouldn't say the area was impoverished but it was certainly a bit more rough around the edges. It appears all funds for redevelopment had been put into renovating the Synagogues rather than the residential buildings, a common trend in many countries with deep rooted religious history. Talking of which we visited a museum based on the effect of WWII on the Polish Jews. This was a really moving and informative exhibit and I would recommend it to anyone.
Day 3 saw us visit Auschwitz. This was my main reason (but not the only one) for wanting to visit Poland and it seemed fitting that we visited it a day after learning more about the persecution in Poland on our previous day. The train from Krakow is 1 hr 30 minutes and costs about 4 pounds. We spent the train journey taking in the scenery and wondering what laid ahead. To say I was excited would be wrong but certainly there was a lot of anticipation.
Auschwitz and Birkenau are both free to enter but for 29zl you can get a 3 and half hour guided tour, which was well worth the money. I was shocked by the vast scale of the operation that had taken place. Everyone should know about the millions that were murdered but to actually visit one of the sites, see the dorm areas, the punishment rooms, the remains of the infamous gas showers and many of the faces of those who perished was shocking, moving and sickening. I won't go on a rant but this place is a must for everyone as it stands as a reminder of the atrocities of the past and a memorial to the millions that so cruelly had their lives ended.
We took the bus back to Krakow which again was about 1hr and a half, and only8 zl (I think). It was a very sobering day especially after tasting the awesome Krakow nightlife the previous evening at Ministry and another club Kitch which seemed to mix dance floors, bars and lounges into one. I am writing this on returning from Wroclaw where we have been with a Polish family for the past few days. It was excellent and I will fill you in from Italy over the next few days.
TTFN
Daz
x
We spent Day 2 in Krakow visiting the Jewish quarter, although just a few minutes by foot from the market square it seemed a world away. I wouldn't say the area was impoverished but it was certainly a bit more rough around the edges. It appears all funds for redevelopment had been put into renovating the Synagogues rather than the residential buildings, a common trend in many countries with deep rooted religious history. Talking of which we visited a museum based on the effect of WWII on the Polish Jews. This was a really moving and informative exhibit and I would recommend it to anyone.
Day 3 saw us visit Auschwitz. This was my main reason (but not the only one) for wanting to visit Poland and it seemed fitting that we visited it a day after learning more about the persecution in Poland on our previous day. The train from Krakow is 1 hr 30 minutes and costs about 4 pounds. We spent the train journey taking in the scenery and wondering what laid ahead. To say I was excited would be wrong but certainly there was a lot of anticipation.
Auschwitz and Birkenau are both free to enter but for 29zl you can get a 3 and half hour guided tour, which was well worth the money. I was shocked by the vast scale of the operation that had taken place. Everyone should know about the millions that were murdered but to actually visit one of the sites, see the dorm areas, the punishment rooms, the remains of the infamous gas showers and many of the faces of those who perished was shocking, moving and sickening. I won't go on a rant but this place is a must for everyone as it stands as a reminder of the atrocities of the past and a memorial to the millions that so cruelly had their lives ended.We took the bus back to Krakow which again was about 1hr and a half, and only8 zl (I think). It was a very sobering day especially after tasting the awesome Krakow nightlife the previous evening at Ministry and another club Kitch which seemed to mix dance floors, bars and lounges into one. I am writing this on returning from Wroclaw where we have been with a Polish family for the past few days. It was excellent and I will fill you in from Italy over the next few days.
TTFN
Daz
x
