Big day today, wake up at 5:30am & ready for the Salt Mines. I’m particularly looking forward to this and Auschwitz tomorrow on this tour. We coached to the mines which are over 400 yrs old and go down to a depth of 400 ft below ground. Going so early meant we missed all the massive crowds and had a lot of the chambers to ourselves š.
The lifts were tiny and we were so packed in to descend- had a small wave of claustrophobia hit me, but was ok as what can you do - just breathe?! We walked through huge long passages which opened into a massive chapel with salt carvings of scenes like the last supper, Christ on the cross etc. it was amazing- the mines are hundred of years old and they had horses that lived permanently down there and had stables for them. Everything was clean as, as the salt apparently preserves everything, even the pine wood they use for bracing. They also have an underground banquet hall that was pretty impressive, that people book for weddings.
Even though we got the lifts up and down, there were still about 300 steps and I remember Danni saying their tour group walked them all when she was here!
Outside there were big queues waiting to get in now, we jumped on the coach and back to the hotel - the Mercure is so central it’s great. Gray and I wandered over to the the big shopping mall and looked round. I bought a dragonfly pandora charm for my bracelet and we managed to order subway which was interesting since it was all in Polish and is a bit different from home. First he asked me if I wanted 13cms so I’m busy trying to convert it to inches!!
Back to the hotel and then for a guided walk of the Wawel castle which had its own magnificent church as well. An elderly lady in our group got overheated as it was up around 33c and humid, so we all waited while she got sorted with a taxi pick up. After the tour a group of us - kiwis and Aussies of course! Decided to go for a very cold beer or two as we were all hot. We sat under the trees and chatted - I had 2 ‘grande’ mojitos to cool down- they were massive. Was most impressed with myself and my capacity haha!
Afterwards we wandered back with Anita and Daryl from Christchurch and came across the horse and carriages, so decided to have a half hour ride. It was 75 euro for everyone and since the horses were clearly beautifully cared for, we jumped in. There seemed to be no malice with the cars that are held up in the little streets, so there must be a council right for the horses, as everyone fitted in with no horn honking at all!
We all thoroughly enjoyed the trip under all the leafy trees and around the ring road park Krakow has. Afterwards we went back to the hotel and got ready for dinner- a polka party with dancing.
Lay down for 20 mins then back on the bus and out to the restaurant where they were waiting for us in traditional dress with instruments. We had the whole top floor to ourselves and they fed and fed and fed us! It is tradition that you take a small piece of bread at the door, dip it in rock salt then have a special grassy vodka shot, noiccceee. People had mushroom or beetroot soup in a bread bowl, sausages, sour pickles, little ribs, cabbage pancakes, coleslaw, apple pie, cheesecake and beer and wine - oh and also another special strawberry vodka shot- phew!
The dancers gave demonstrations- one couple had their little girl learning all the dances with them. She was so cute! Everyone was pulled up and twirled round and round and round (remember all that alcohol ?!!!). We all had a wonderful time.
Quite the day! Back into the hotel to hit the hay after catching up with my blog- so much is happening I would forget if I didn’t lol!
Day 14
A 5:30am wake up again today as we have another long travel day- starting with a trip to Auschwitz and Birkenau concentration camps. I feel we were pretty well prepared because of oor long standing interest in war history, so there were no shocks. But seeing the reality of what youve only seen from afar is confronting. The personal items that showed people’s personalities gave you a little insight into the individuals, rather than the masses. There was a massive display of human hair and the guide told us that the average head of hair weighs about 40gms, but this display was 2 tonnes and is just a small example of how many people came through. He said everyone who was sent Birkenau was sent for extermination and that no-one ever came back. 1.4 million people were exterminated at here - 1.1 million of those, were Jews.
Our guide was a Jewish pol, so only talked of the Jewish persecution but we acknowledge that Jews, the disabled, gypsies, homosexuals, the old and the infirm were a part of what happened there.
After Auschwitz we travelled the 3kms by the railway tracks to Birkenau, where you have to walk the last 10mins. It was 30C by the. So getting pretty hot. We walked around - there were so, so many rows of barracks and bunks 3 high, and each bunk housed 4 people. I thought how a bunk by the window would be prized for its light and air flow.
It is unthinkable to us that a reign of power could persuade their followers that another human being was not worthy of being called a human because of their faith or heritage.
We left Birkenau around lunchtime and set off for Warsaw, had a quick stop to see the Black Madonna at a monastery. It was packed as many Catholics are doing a pilgrimage there so we had a quick look then went and bought a sorbet ice team to cool down a bit.
Something we learnt about the Polish education system also today is that they have 3 tiers - 1 for academic kids, 1 for trades & 1 for more labour orientated kids. All education is free and although they do offer private high schools, they actually aren’t as highly respected- as if a student fails an exam they have to repeat the whole term, but if they are in private school they can pay and re-sit the exam straight away. So it’s seen as less hard than those who can’t afford to fail with the consequence of re-doing a while term, so they are known to work very hard.
Another 4 hrs driving this afternoon and into Warsaw and directly out to dinner before getting to the hotel. We had a decent meal there, although the meals came out a long way apart, so some were starting when others were finishing. Felt so underdressed as we were all in travelling clothes and it was quite a swanky restaurant!
We checked in to the Westin Warsaw and showers and bed! It's still very hot and the rooms aren't that cool but great to lay down after so long on the bus. They told us today that it has been the hottest week of the entire year and we would believe it as we have been out walking in it everyday!.
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3 comments:
Poland has had a tragic history over the centuries. In modern times the Germans during WW2 and their atrocities, and the Russians in the 1950’s. As a school kid in 1956 I remember the news reports coming out about the Russians ruthlessly overrrunning resistance in Warsaw with their tanks and army. I was sitting School Cert at the time and I can remember being troubled about what was happening. I was only 15, but obviously my strong sense of injustice and concerns about world events were forming.
Further to my last comment, I think it may have been Checkoslavakia (spelt wrong) but I know Russia rolled over several Baltic states at the time and were ruthless in their march over these already war-torn countries
Yes the Russians were as frightening as the Germans at times from all we’ve been told
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