Krakow

[Gromit]

Płaszów's nearer. If you like that sort of thing..

It's the camp where Oskar Schindler had his DEF/Emalia factory. I'd like to go there. He's he a bit of a hero of mine, despite his shortcomings (reading his biog atm)

But Auschwitz and Birkenau...

The scale of the place and what went on is beyond imagining until you go there.

I didn't enjoy it but feel everyone should go.

 

[_pH_]

But Auschwitz and Birkenau...

The scale of the place and what went on is beyond imagining until you go there.

I didn't enjoy it but feel everyone should go.

I'd like to go there to Auschwitz-Birkenau too. Well, not 'like' but to pay my respects iyswim.

 

[Thora]

Why would you want to go somewhere like that, especially on holiday? Weird.

 

[_pH_]

Because it's historically so important?

 

[Thora]

Bit too morbid for my tastes.

 

[_pH_]

Fair enough.

Chacun à son goût.

 

[Gromit]

I find it hard to put into words.

Its not something you want to see, I grant you that, but when you are there its feels like its something you should have seen.

 

[Belushi]

The Cathedral has a fairytale aspect outside and is beautifully decorated inside.

Have you ever been in the snow? absolutely stunning.

Marshall Pilsudski and General Sikorskis tombs in the crypt are interesting for a taste of Polish national identity, permanentaky covered in flowers and surrounded by weeping Poles when I was there.

 

[Gromit]

The central square is wicked in the snow too with the winter fair and that bloke who blows his trumpet out the tower.

 

[Gromit]

Oh and although I didn't go to the salt mines, some friends of mine did and they said don't bother.

 

[Belushi]

I find it hard to put into words.

Its not something you want to see, I grant you that, but when you are there its feels like its something you should have seen.

Yes, I'd recommend it to anyone but very sobering. Fair play to all the Germans who were visiting when I was there, it was obviosuly very difficult for them.

 

[Belushi]

The central square is wicked in the snow too with the winter fair and that bloke who blows his trumpet out the tower.

Yes, and the Wawel is just stunning in the middle of winter.

 

[QueenOfGoths]

Have you ever been in the snow? absolutely stunning.

Marshall Pilsudski and General Sikorskis tombs in the crypt are interesting for a taste of Polish national identity, permanentaky covered in flowers and surrounded by weeping Poles when I was there.

Yes - it is just beautiful isn't it. I have a really lovely picture of the Cathedral in the snow which I am certain will one day win the Urban Photo Comp!...when the category is "Fairytale Polish Cathedrals in the Snow"

We haven't been to Krakow for nearly two years, having been every year for 7 years before that, so are making up for it by going in December when the Christmas Market is on - hot wine, huge sausages and Polish singing!

Re: Auschwitz, I have never been - some thing which I do feel guilty about as I think it is an important monument, in a way, and should never be forgotten - because I know I would just find it too depressing/upsetting. Mr. QofG's went on our first visit and it affected him greatly. Tbh the remains of the Jewish Ghetto in Podgraze (spelling) which you can walk to from the centre of Krakow, were upsetting enough.

I think if you do go you need to put aside the whole day, not beacsue the visit will take that long but because you need the time afterwards to take it in, process what you have seen. Certainly that was Mr. QofG's experience.

 

[adsr]

The Salt Mines are quite interesting. You can take a bus from the centre I think.

 

[Agent Sparrow]

The Salt Mines are quite interesting. You can take a bus from the centre I think.

I visited them with someone who licked them.

 

[Agent Sparrow]

Auschwitz is a powerful place to visit too. It's not the most fun excursion for obvious reasons, but I felt it was an important thing to do.

A more fun thing to do is visit all the underground bars that are in cellars, and particularly ask for zubrowka and apple juice (called a tatanka). Visit the covered market in the main square (is that the cloth market?), and sit by the side of the square eating apple pie and drinking beer. I remember finding the Jewish quarter interesting too. And eat borscht.

 

[Thora]

I'm looking forward to it

 

[Gromit]

Oh and try a blackcurrent juice. You'll never look at ribena the same way.

My friends thought me strange for ordering it. Then they all had a taste. Then they all ordered one each themselves.