Snowy Easter!

Auschwitz

... Krakow, Poland.  The last stop on my trip before I would head back to Madrid.  Here I am again traveling alone and I think I should first say Poland looks pretty sketch.  I kept to myself so I wouldn't have to find out but needless to say 3 guys were arrested off the train I was on to Krakow.  Not a great first impression.  In it's defense it is a beautiful place.  I arrived late at night and the girl who I was staying with was waiting on me at the train station.  We went to her place where she had cooked me some traditional Polish food.  It was vegetarian and as much as I like meat this was actually really good. 

The gate

Easter Blizzard in Krakow

Easter Market

I woke up early on Easter Sunday and took a short train ride to Auschwitz.  Even though it was closed for the holiday I still wanted to see it and wouldn't be able to go on Monday with what time my flight was leaving.  As soon as I stepped off the train it is just an eerily quite town.  I saw a lot of people but it was just absolutely silent.  When I made it to the gate of Auschwitz I I saw a security guard opening the gate, so I thought here's my chance.  So I took it and thought what's the worst that could happen.  I walked up to him and asked first if he spoke English and when he did I sweetly responded with I know you're not supposed to do this blah blah blah but could you let me in just to see the main gate.  He looked at me and said well I will  have to go with you and I said okay about as quick as he could finish his sentence.  After I said okay I really started to process what was going to happen.  I was going to go into Auschwitz with some Polish man alone and he was going to lock the gate behind us... definitely not the smartest thing I've done but it worked.  I saw the gate, quickly snapped my photos and left.  Although I didn't get to see hardly any of Auschwitz I and none of Auschwitz II it was still intense just being there.  All this means is that I have to make another trip back to get to see everything.  I finally made it back to the train station and after they cancelled 2 trains I finally got on a train bound for Krakow.  Side note: At this point I still do not have any Polish Zloty I only have my debit card and euros.  There was no one at the ticket window so I had to buy my ticket on the train which they don't accept euros or cards so I didn't really know what I was going to do.  Luckily some older man bought my ticket... yeah buddy!  Kinda sketch but he was very nice. 

Wawel Castle

The Park around Old Town

Now that I am back in Krakow it is pretty much a blizzard.  I went to the Main Market Square in Old Town where they had a Easter Market set up.  First off the Old Town is in the center of Krakow and it is completely surrounded by a park.  It was very beautiful and very interesting because I haven't seen a city set up like this before.  I walked just to the edge of the Old Town and saw Wawel Castle and Cathedral and then went back to get out of the cold.  Later on I met up with 2 close friends and we enjoyed some mulled wine in the square.  Interesting thing I tried: we went to a bar called Cheers (has to be good right)  where they had peanut vodka... sounds horrible... best vodka I have ever tasted.  My time in Krakow was short and of all the places I visited I hope that I get to go back and visit it and Auschwitz again.  By the end I couldn't have been more excited to get back to Madrid and sleep for hours! 

Next stop... U.S.A.  See you 6 days.... Mindy I can't believe you are getting married... can't wait to celebrate with everyone!! Until then!