Do you know this feeling when your mind is pushing you to do something and won’t leave you alone until then. Well, that was the reason why last weekend I decided to go for some adventure. In two days I organized my short trip and on Saturday morning I left my flat and started my journey.
I walked to the train station, bought my ticket to Kraków and waited for the first train. It was 15’ delayed. I was worried about missing all the next train connections, and this anguish traveled with me until I finally arrived to Ostrava, what means three different trains. Luckily, all my trains were delayed one after the other but the last one, which arrived to the last destination just on time. Funny, right? In Ostrava (city at the very east of the CR), when I saw the white bus which would finally take me to Kraków. I was so relieved that I almost cried.
In spite of all the initial worries, I really enjoyed being carried along throughout those fairy-tale Czech towns: with their peculiar churches and lakes everywhere, bucolic landscapes only spoiled by the indifference of communist buildings.
Suddenly a text let me know we had crossed the border. I was not in a hurry anymore, we were only seven people in the bus, it was time for some relaxing sunbathing.
I walked to the train station, bought my ticket to Kraków and waited for the first train. It was 15’ delayed. I was worried about missing all the next train connections, and this anguish traveled with me until I finally arrived to Ostrava, what means three different trains. Luckily, all my trains were delayed one after the other but the last one, which arrived to the last destination just on time. Funny, right? In Ostrava (city at the very east of the CR), when I saw the white bus which would finally take me to Kraków. I was so relieved that I almost cried.
In spite of all the initial worries, I really enjoyed being carried along throughout those fairy-tale Czech towns: with their peculiar churches and lakes everywhere, bucolic landscapes only spoiled by the indifference of communist buildings.
Suddenly a text let me know we had crossed the border. I was not in a hurry anymore, we were only seven people in the bus, it was time for some relaxing sunbathing.
Finally, Krákow! After some minutes trying to get out of the huge rambling Galeria Krakowska (shopping mall which connects the bus station to the city center), I was guided by the signposts to the main square. Only for that bright picture of Rynek Główny I knew my journey had been worthy.
I left my backpack at the hostel and met Ewelina, a lovely Polish girl I spent the whole day with. I didn’t have much time but I was determined to make the most of it. So I asked her if she could take me to Zakrzowek lake, a hidden lagoon in an old mined quarry at the outskirts of the city. We walked up a hill to the top of the cliff, the views were amazing: Light blue water, some people diving, others just lying down on the grass with beers and books; simply breathtaking!
We took the tram back and walked along the Wisła, the longest and largest river in Poland. I would have never imagined my first visit to Poland with such a perfect weather. People in summer clothes sitting outside, enjoying the sun and having ice-creams, doing sports and playgrounds full of children.
We crossed the river to enter into the old Jewish quarter of Kazimierz. There we wandered among its labyrinthine streets, bumping into different synagogues, Jewish cementeries and churches. It was destroyed during the IIWW, but today the district is full of lively bars and cafes. It’s got an special bohemian atmosphere which makes it feel very different from the old town. In Kazimierz we had a typical Polish meal: tomato soup and pork chops with cabbage salad.
After dinner, we went for a stroll through the Planty, a garden walk that rings the Old Town following the line of the city's former defensive walls. It was full of beautiful corners and sculptures. The benches had the names of different international writers on them. At this point, we said goodbye, and I continued surrounding the city up to the surviving pieces of a medieval fortification: the Barbakan. I entered back into the city through Kraków’s main city gate the Brama Floriańska and walked along the main artery of Kraków and one of the most expensive streets in the world: Floriańska Street. The night was pleasant, so I bought and ice-cream and sat into Adam Mickiewicz monument, right in the heart of old Krak´ww, to have a panoramic view of the historic Market square, while listening to a guy playing Spanish guitar livening up the Cracowian night.
The next morning I woke up early and at 8:30 I was fresh and ready to continue exploring this magnificent city I had been enchanted by. But, where is everyone? Where the tourists? Where the locals? On Sunday morning, Kraków was a ghost town, I dediced to go down Grodzka Street to visit the castle. On my way I found the Cervantes Institute and several churches. All the churches were opened, so I went into three of them, one after the other. I couldn’t believe what I found there: They were all full of worshippers!! Families with children, young people kneeling in the main . Every church was packed. The mass was preached both in Polish and German simultaneously. Even at St. Mary’s Basilica, which I thought was only used as a monument. All my doubts were solved: On Sunday morning, polish are at church.
I reached Wawel Cathedral and the Castle, where Poland’s royalty used to live. I visited the courtyard, known as the Wawel Chakra. It is said that this place has strong esoteric energy.
Back in the main square, I joined a free Spanish tour for a while, the guide told us some funny legends and some interesting historic facts about the city, but I didn’t have time to hear all the stories so I split apart to have a look at the Coth Hall (Sukiennice), a former medieval shopping center.
My last visit was to Wieża ratuszowa, the old town hall tower, it’s the only intact element which remains from the 14th century, after all the fires and demolitions. You can ascend 70 m. through narrow stairs for a panoramc view of the city. In the first and second floor, there are also exhibitions of historical costumes and photography of Kraków during the 1960's.