The Wawel Royal Castle.

 

A few last interesting images before leaving for Canada. Round sugar cubes,

skeleton bike,

mens shoes,

top street music,

very friendly pigeons.

Heading back to Canada via train then plane after 10 months overseas.

 

Almost there – just a few delays.

The Ryszard Kuklinski Monument was an interesting structure. Ryszard  was a controversial Cold War figure.

 

 

 

Sitting on the sand placed right behind the mall for a volleyball, beach soccer and handball tournament.

 

 

 

We watched them bring in the sand and were amazed by the scale of the project.

 

John was disappointed that we kept missing the women’s volleyball. The day we watched this it was +36.

On the eve of Corpus Christi,  a full Catholic mass was held in the main square.

I biked with a small group to a local monastery.

The trip included memorials of the destruction of the Jews of Krakow.

The countryside was gorgeous.

The Benedictine monastery of Tyniec.

As with many structures it was rebuilt after the war. The old well was not damaged.

On the way we  watched kayakers navigate the practice waterway.                                 .

We celebrated John’s birthday with a delicious Polish meal.

Polish sausage and Pirogies stuffed with spinach, garlic and feta cheese. Yum!

 

 

 

We visited Auschwitz.  Depressing for sure but  a crucial part of history,  so we felt it is a must see. We were impressed how respectfully presented it was. It did not feel like a tourist location,  though tourists such as ourselves were everywhere.

 

 

Schindler’s Factory in Krakow.  This has been turned into a museum showing Krakow under Nazi occupation, as well as a memorial to Oskar Schindler and his part in saving many Jews from the Holocaust.

 

 

Factory roof.

Schindler’s office

The pots and pans made in the factory with the names of every person saved written on the walls within the enclosure.

The Hall of Choices. Notes written by many of the Jews who worked in the factory.

and catalogued into the Righteous

 

and the Collaborators and Informers.

 

A memorial, in the heart of what was a thriving Jewish community, in Krakow.  Jewish tradition,  rather than lighting candles,  is to place a small stone in memory.

 

 

The centre of Krakow has a magnificent variety of beautiful buildings. The downtown core is a pedestrian’s dream as no vehicles are allowed for blocks surrounding the central square.

 

 

 

 

 

 

We really enjoyed our accommodations and the city,  so decided to make Krakow our last destination before returning to Canada. We stayed in a one bedroom brand new apartment for twelve days.  It was on the top floor in the back, with a wrap around balcony overlooking a park and air conditioning, which was so needed for the plus 36 days.