Vacation in Krakow
I haven't been in Poland in two years. I was so excited to see everybody. The trip was so much shorter than when I travelled to Europe from Japan, which was about 26-28 hours. Here, I flew from Raleigh to Chicago, and from Chicago straight to Krakow. All, only 14 hours! The plain was filled with Polish people, but I found a few seats empty at the end and went to sleep. I needed it after working for two weeks without a break.
I arrived to Poland, and at the airport my aunt, and my little niece, Kamilka, were already waiting for me. My cousin, Agnieszka (Kamilka's mom), couldn't be there, since she was working that day. It was sooooo good to see them, especially my little cute girl, Kamilka. I just love this kid to death! The same day I went to see grandma. She looks good, still has her sharp sense of humor, and laughs a lot. But on the side, she told me that she would prefer to live alone, and not at her daughter's. They don't exactly agree very well, and that breaks my heart. I don't want to see my grandma being unhappy.
I managed to spend every day with my grandma, from noon til later afternoon, always taking Kamilka with me everywhere. And in the evening, after long walk with grandma, Kamilka and I would go and pick Agnieszka from work. It was great! We walked around the main square, where all the old buildings are just amazing, and it's gorgeous no matter where I looked. We took a lot of pictures, but I am afraid that it would take me a week to upload it all here.
One day, me, Agnieszka, Kamilka, and Agniszka's mom--aunt Stasia, we went out to celebrate grandma's birthday. Grandma definitely didn't expect anything like it. We picked an old-style Polish food restaurant, where we could get in with a wheelchair, and food was grandma-friendly. She loved it! Kamilka and I arranged everything a few days before, and dinner turned out perfectly.
Time went way to fast. Those 9 days felt incredibly short. We were all sad that time was running and we didn't even caught up on things yet. But every moment of my visit was wonderful. Ahh... except the weather, I guess. I have no idea what was going on, but this particular summer Poland was hit by tropical-like weather, with 104' in the shade, and lot more in the sun. The humidity was unbelievable. And the worst part is, that there is no a/c anywhere!!!!!! People are just not used to heat like that, and never felt necessary to install a/c's. I was dying! Ahhhh... It was terrible. Both Kamilka and I, after all day outside (because inside was impossible to stand), we felt sick. We tried to stay dehydrated, but how water bottles can you carry with you? We took mostly taxi to go everywhere, but for the past two years, all prices in Poland went up, and things got pretty expensive. I had to really watch my wallet, since I wasn't aware of how the prices increased. I was used to take taxi's everywhere, since it's safe and quick, but now I will have to plan my next vacation there more carefully. ;-)
I was really pleased to see so many turists in Krakow, such large variety of people from everywhere, students from over the world. And it was just amazingly wonderful being in a BIG city! You can't take this out of me--I am a big city girl, and I always be! LOVED IT!!!
Ok, I have to run to work now, but here are the pictures. I will try to add some pictures every week, because I am sure I can't fit them all in this posting.
I arrived to Poland, and at the airport my aunt, and my little niece, Kamilka, were already waiting for me. My cousin, Agnieszka (Kamilka's mom), couldn't be there, since she was working that day. It was sooooo good to see them, especially my little cute girl, Kamilka. I just love this kid to death! The same day I went to see grandma. She looks good, still has her sharp sense of humor, and laughs a lot. But on the side, she told me that she would prefer to live alone, and not at her daughter's. They don't exactly agree very well, and that breaks my heart. I don't want to see my grandma being unhappy.
I managed to spend every day with my grandma, from noon til later afternoon, always taking Kamilka with me everywhere. And in the evening, after long walk with grandma, Kamilka and I would go and pick Agnieszka from work. It was great! We walked around the main square, where all the old buildings are just amazing, and it's gorgeous no matter where I looked. We took a lot of pictures, but I am afraid that it would take me a week to upload it all here.
One day, me, Agnieszka, Kamilka, and Agniszka's mom--aunt Stasia, we went out to celebrate grandma's birthday. Grandma definitely didn't expect anything like it. We picked an old-style Polish food restaurant, where we could get in with a wheelchair, and food was grandma-friendly. She loved it! Kamilka and I arranged everything a few days before, and dinner turned out perfectly.
Time went way to fast. Those 9 days felt incredibly short. We were all sad that time was running and we didn't even caught up on things yet. But every moment of my visit was wonderful. Ahh... except the weather, I guess. I have no idea what was going on, but this particular summer Poland was hit by tropical-like weather, with 104' in the shade, and lot more in the sun. The humidity was unbelievable. And the worst part is, that there is no a/c anywhere!!!!!! People are just not used to heat like that, and never felt necessary to install a/c's. I was dying! Ahhhh... It was terrible. Both Kamilka and I, after all day outside (because inside was impossible to stand), we felt sick. We tried to stay dehydrated, but how water bottles can you carry with you? We took mostly taxi to go everywhere, but for the past two years, all prices in Poland went up, and things got pretty expensive. I had to really watch my wallet, since I wasn't aware of how the prices increased. I was used to take taxi's everywhere, since it's safe and quick, but now I will have to plan my next vacation there more carefully. ;-)
I was really pleased to see so many turists in Krakow, such large variety of people from everywhere, students from over the world. And it was just amazingly wonderful being in a BIG city! You can't take this out of me--I am a big city girl, and I always be! LOVED IT!!!
Ok, I have to run to work now, but here are the pictures. I will try to add some pictures every week, because I am sure I can't fit them all in this posting.
posted by Beata | 9:52 AM
11 Comments:
Yeah! I have been waitng to hear about your trip! It was worth the wait! What a beautiful family you have Beata! And the momories you created will last a life time!Your Grandmother is just precious!You all look so happy! Krakow is beautiful! Europe has such a special feel to it!Glad your home safe and sound!What an adventure!
Kellie S.
thanks for the update. You look so happy as usual. Glad all went well. Love you both
Hi Sweetie,
Absolutely beautiful photos. Grandma has such a content look on her face, so peaceful. You can tell how happy everyone is to see you.
Miss you and love you and am so happy you had such a great time.
Love,
Aunt Karen
Hello Kellie, I am so happy to see you! Yes, my trip was great, and I am missing them all even more now. To me, Krakow is the most beautiful city in the world! :-)
Dear Aunt Jane, we love you too, so much! Next time we all have to go to Poland! How about that???
My sweet Aunt Karen, I am glad you liked pictures. My grandma is so sweet to me, and loves me so much. I wish I could have her with me here, in the US. You guys would love each other! I miss you, and think of you all the time. :-)
Honey, I'm so happy you were able to find time to write and post some pictures. It's so good to see you smiling. I know Rob is very happy that you're home, but also happy that you were able to go. Miss you. Love, Mom
I'm so glad you had such a nice visit. They are always too short, but better some time than no time at all.
The pictures are wonderful!! And other than the horrible heat, it sounds like you had a very special visit!! Thanks for sharing.
Even though I've seen all the pictures and heard all about the trip, reading this post makes me wish I could have been there all over again.
I love you, honey. Great post, great pictures.
I am so glad to hear and see a bit of your trip, and the time spent with your family...especially your grandma. I am sure she was so touched by your thoughtfulness at giving her a special party for her special birthday. I loved looking at the wonderful architecture of the buildings in Krakow too. Thanks for the post and sharing your trip with us. Can't wait for you to be able to visit IL again. It's been too long.
So glad you had a great trip-except for that heat and NO air-conditioning. Your grandmother looks great for her age...I am sure she loved seeing you!The pictures were wonderful-I know that trip was way too short for you-but great that you did get to go.
Hello guys! Thank you for being so patient with me posting about the trip. I will be adding more pictures soon. It was short, but yes, it was great! I can even forget now the lack of the a/c everywhere! ;-)
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