Krakow, Poland

Not having spent any real time in Poland, we opted to go to Warsaw and Krakow for spring break.  My camera must've eaten the Warsaw photos, because I can't find them anywhere :/  I will say the kiddos grumbled a bit about this trip initially.  Belgium's weather is often rainy, and they had dreamed of traveling to a warmer locale as many of their friends did:  Dubai, Morocco and Costa del Sol were a few spots they mentioned.  They might not have returned to school with tans, but they were better for our trip all the same.  

We loved Krakow, and Log thought he could live there (he was drawn to how inexpensive things were in the city relative to Belgium).

Obwarzanki, traditional Polish pretzels
Littlest was loathe to share.

Oskar Schindler's Factory

Gates leading into the factory

Photographs of those he saved

Schindler's office with the map of train lines he commissioned

Enamelware made in the factory.  

Even the most flawed person is capable of redeeming actions.

Krakow Ghetto and Deportation Monument

There are 33 chairs that light up and 37 smaller chairs.  The chairs intrude on the square and bus/tram stops surrounding it.  They are meant to represent the furniture that was thrown out as the Jews were being deported.  This square is not too far from Schindler's factory.

Art for sale inside the old city walls

John Paul II can be found everywhere; he began his studies for priesthood in Krakow.

While Littlest and Bop have other interests, Log asked to see the interiors of several churches while we were in Krakow.  In fact, when we travel he often highlights churches of interest in our guide books.

St. Mary's Basilica  A trumpeter plays a five note song called St. Mary's Dawn from each of the cardinal directions every hour on the hour.  The noon playing is broadcast all over Poland.

Cloth Hall = fun shopping
J loves to haggle with sellers. 

In the Main Square

The next few photographs show views of and from Wawel Castle

He looks familiar ;)

I prefer this painting to the Mona Lisa.

Legend says that a dragon lived at the base of Wawel Castle and was killed by Krakus, a Polish prince.

These monkeys bought fur hats and a scarf from the cloth hall.  I think that they all look like Ewoks.  The hats are real fur and made from rabbits.  Bop took an ethical approach and stuck with a scarf.