Poland - Krakow Again

After spending the morning and early afternoon at the Auschwitz camps, we returned to Krakow to do more exploration.

Our hostel was only a few blocks from the main square so we became very familiar with the sight of the markets and cathedral.

Plenty of beautiful flowers - I love spring!

When we arrived at the airport in Krakow on Thursday, Robyn wanted a snack so she bought a bread pretzel at an airport kiosk. They're cheap and delicious! This afternoon we stopped for a snack and tried some other flavours. I figured I'd have a chance to buy more during the rest of the week but I found out later that they're only sold in Krakow.

There are pretzel kiosks on every corner, all selling the same product with slightly higher prices closer to the main tourist attractions.

Three weary travellers enjoying people-watching and pretzels in the sunshine.

A restaurant on the main square.
We skipped the classy restaurants in favour of smaller places on side roads with cheap Polish food where the cashiers and servers barely spoke English.

Trolley cars are everywhere for public transit.

We tried crossing the river to find the Jewish ghetto and the small museum with information about it, but the museum was closed, we couldn't find the remaining wall, and we ended up in a very run-down area with people who made us nervous so we crossed back to the other side of the river as quickly as possible.

Another walk along the river.

We saw plenty of colourful tights but as soon as we decided to try to photograph them, they all disappeared except this one. We saw purple, red, lime green, yellow - quite the display of colour!

Robyn and Madelein have a friend who strongly recommended they order a Tatanka at a particular pub in Krakow. The drink is normally vodka and apple juice, but their friend said when she ordered it the drink was served with cinnamon (in the UK the drink is called a "Frisky Bison" and in the USA it's called a "Polish Kiss"). We weren't sure about the location or name of the recommended pub - all we knew was that it was in the Jewish Quarter. Madelein texted her friend, got a quick response, and we soon found the pub.

Madelein ordering Tatankas for her and Robyn.

The name of the pub is due to Singer sewing machines being used as tables.

We sat outside and enjoyed the warm evening and admired an adorable puppy sitting nearby. I think his name was Brutus and his owner was from Montreal!

Me and my new little buddy.

We went to U Babci Maliny for dinner - we were told about this place our first night in Krakow but when we went to the restaurant they were already closing (it was only about 7:30 p.m.). It seemed like a really quirky place so we decided we had to eat there before leaving Krakow. The food was good but not fabulous, but the decor making the place look like the inside of a babcia's (grandma's) old log cabin was pretty fun!