I always seem to be exhausted after a day of travel and today is no exception. Really not that arduous but draining nonetheless. Of course I was at the station ages before the train was due to leave…its my way. Its all a bit puzzling when everything is in Polish including your ticket so you have to puzzle your way through what carriage, what seat etc. I mean, you do it, but everything takes that bit of effort.
And then there is the struggle with your suitcase. You manage the get on and off the train bit, not easily any more, but you manage. Then you get to your crowded little ‘box’ with 6 people and there is absolutely no way you could get your case up into the case rack, even if there was space for it, which there isn’t, of course. The next observation follows on from the guy on the plane. There are, fortunately for me, a lot of very tall, lanky Poles. So, this young man helps re-organise all the cases to fit mine in. That is until the American family opposite start bleating about a case might fall on them (oh that it would) and his job at his firm is in OH&S. I told him that was obvious and then buttoned my lip securely!! Anyway it was all sorted.
Arrived in Krakow OK. Now, the ‘Art of Serenity’ Apartment I’m staying in is so fucking clandestine. There is no reception or anything, they text you with the details of how to get in, but not until your room is ready. So off I went to get myself a bowl of soup while I waited. I’d rung them to say I’d be arriving at 1, so they did have it ready a bit early…at 2pm. And it is a really nice apartment. A bit of a strange set up, half way between an Airbnb and a hotel. But I have everything I need.
I set off to get my bearings. The apartment is just outside the Old Town wall, so very convenient, and off I trotted to the Old Town Square. Another gorgeous square which most of you know but for those that don’t, this time really old. No bombing raids here thank God. I went to the Tourist Office and booked a trip to Auschwitz, and I went to St Mary’s Basilica which sits in the middle of the Square. Now that was a lovely surprise. So utterly beautiful with those heaven blue starry vaulted ceilings, superb stained glass, painted walls and an alter piece to die for from what I could see through the restoration work going on.
I’ve been in Poland for 4 days now and not a single Lody have I indulged in (thinking of Kirst here). That is until today, I was sitting in the Square watching the summery, youthful, fun-filled world go by and most people had an ice-cream in hand. It is so lovely and synonymous with summer that off I went and got myself the most delicious yoghurt icecream to join the club.I wandered a bit more but I was tired so I got a little bit to eat, did some shopping and called it a day.
Bought wine (and this time a corkscrew with it), some pringles and back to the ranch to nestle in. It feels like a big day even if it really wasnt so big walking- wise. I got excited when I saw I had Netflix but its all in Polish so no luck there. Guess I’ll do some washing and read my book.