Destination: Poland

Photos: Silesia

Tue, 30 Oct 2012 | By vagabonds | Photo Gallery

Auschwitz

Sun, 28 Oct 2012 | By vagabonds | Views [3028]

The overnight snow turned the countryside into a winter wonderland but even a blizzard couldn’t disguise the horror of Auschwitz.  It was – and shall remain always – a bit of hell on earth.  No one should desire to visit Auschwitz.... Read more >

Photos: Auschwitz

Sun, 28 Oct 2012 | By vagabonds | Photo Gallery

Krakow, Part Two

Sat, 27 Oct 2012 | By vagabonds | Views [1916]

But wait!  We returned to Krakow today, a cold and rainy day, and guess what?  It was a totally different city.  The rain kept the tour groups at bay and the city seemed to glow.  We walked many of the same streets and saw new things.... Read more >

Pass the Salt

Fri, 26 Oct 2012 | By vagabonds | Views [998]

More precious than gold, salt has been a critical element of civilization.  It has been used as currency and coinage – the word “salary” has the same root as “salt.”  The Wieliczka Salt Mine, in the town where ... Read more >

Photos: Krakow

Thu, 25 Oct 2012 | By vagabonds | Photo Gallery

Krakow, the Soul of Poland

Thu, 25 Oct 2012 | By vagabonds | Views [1594]

To appreciate Poland you must understand Krakow, its soul and the one-time capital.  And it helps to be Catholic. In fact, the ability to speak Polish and the  Catholic faith are the bond between Poles, whether they live in Warsaw or London ... Read more >

Zakopane and Chocholow

Tue, 23 Oct 2012 | By vagabonds | Views [2158]

Zakopane is a ski town in the Tatra range of the Carpathian Mountains.  Unlike many other ski towns with their "faux Tyrolean" architecture, Zakopane has its own.  Zakopane style was pioneered by Stanislaw Witkiewicz who took his inspriation ... Read more >

Wooden Churches of "Lesser" Poland

Mon, 22 Oct 2012 | By vagabonds | Views [2136]

Most ancient churches were built to last, eternal monuments to both their benefactor and his god.  In Poland, where granite and marble weren't available, ancient churches were made of brick.  And in places where brick wasn't an option, they ... Read more >

Zamość and Sandomierz

Sun, 21 Oct 2012 | By vagabonds | Views [3211]

Zamość is a World Heritage site. Sandomierz is not.  Zamość has existed pretty much unchanges since the 16th Century.  Sandomierz has been sliding downhill literally!  The sun was shining on Zamość.  Sandomierz was cloaked in ... Read more >

'Shrooms

Fri, 19 Oct 2012 | By vagabonds | Views [1662]

If we stopped for every photo opportunity we would never get anywhere!  In that respect, Poland reminds us a bit of Romania, one of our favorite countries.  Old farm houses and old ladies, interesting churches and auturmn trees - the choices ... Read more >

Bialowieza National Park

Thu, 18 Oct 2012 | By vagabonds | Views [2014]

It's a long drive from Toruń to Hajnowka and Bialowieza National Park but a gorgeous fall day like yesterday was the perfect day for it.  The maple trees glowed  amber with a carpet of fallen gold beneath.  The oaks and beech ... Read more >

Photos: In the Country: Warsaw to Krackow

Wed, 17 Oct 2012 | By vagabonds | Photo Gallery

Toruń

Wed, 17 Oct 2012 | By vagabonds | Views [1595]

We left Warsaw in the rain after visiting the Chopin Museum and took a long, dreary drive north to Torun.  Getting out of Warsaw isn't as easy as it sounds but once on the road things went smoothly.  It's odd being behind the wheel again after ... Read more >

Frederic Chopin and the Chopin Museum

Tue, 16 Oct 2012 | By vagabonds | Views [1638]

When it comes to classical music, my tastes run towards full symphony orchestras complete with strings, winds and brass.  Or for a change of pace, a string quartet. So I didn't know much about the life or music of Frederic Chopin.  If the piano ... Read more >