Poland: Krakow to Warsaw

So this morning, it was time to check out of my hotel. I met my guide in the lobby, left my bags, and we were off to explore the last parts of Krakow we haven't explored yet. We walked to St. Florian's gate, the barbican and saw the old fortifications of the old city. Outside the gate, we were treated to tons of Dachshunds that had been dressed up in various outfits by their owners. Once a year, there is a parade of Dachshunds through the city, and it just so happened to be today! My favorite was a German Shepherd that had a sign around its neck in Polish, that my guide translated for me: "yea, I'm a Dachshund. Wanna fight about it?"

We kept walking along the opera house and waited at a tram stop. Once a week, they bring out one of the old trolly cars from the 60s/70s, and take it up and down the city for one round trip. We hopped on and were taken through the Jewish Quarter to the end of the line. We hopped off and then began our tour of the Jewish Quarter. We went into one of the old synagogues, where I had to wear my first yamaka. It had been severely damaged during WWII, and is in the long process of being reconstructed. We also visited the Jewish cemetery located behind and to the side of the synagogue.

We then went to the top of a five story building to get a good view of the city from above. Since the city is under UNESCO regulations, this was one of the tallest buildings in the city. After enjoying the view, we continued our walking tour, where we happened upon a honey festival. It reels my mind how I have happened upon so many festivals, special days, etc on this trip. Almost like it was meant to happen...

After checking out the stalls and getting hungry from looking at all the honey treats, we made our way back to the old town for lunch. We ate at a typically Polish place and I tried several local favorites, including perogies, fried sheep's cheese covered in cranberry jam, potato pancakes smothered in fresh forest mushroom gravy... Omg, it was so good. After getting sufficiently stuffed, we continued our walking tour, visiting the church of St. Mary, and this reduce loudly huge alter, carved out of wood. The thing was huge! We then had to head back to the hotel to meet the driver for my transfer to the train station.

We made our way to the allotted train, got my stuff on board, and then I was off for the just under three hour trip to Warsaw! In my compartment of six was, you guessed it, a BABY!!! This baby was actually extremely well behaved, and I even dosed for a few minutes of the trip.

When I arrived in Warsaw, my driver was at the platform waiting for me with a little sign (I love that, btw--I feel so important!). He took my bag up to the car and we were off to the hotel! I got all checked in, and then, since it was getting dark, I set off in search of a place for dinner. It had, after all, been a good six hours since my last meal!! I walked a ways, until I smelled the most delicious smell of bacon and saw waitresses in traditional dress, and decided it was time for more perogies!!! I ate my fill and enjoyed a glass of sangria. Afterwards, I had heard amazing things about an ice cream parlor near my hotel, so I set off in search of that! I didn't find it, but I did find a memorial and kind of church service (I think?) thing that was commemorating the invasion of Warsaw by Germany on this day in 1939.

Warsaw looks completely different from Krakow, due mostly to the fact that 95% of Warsaw was destroyed by German bombs during the war. You'll get more pictures tomorrow!