It has been a long time since I have had the chance to blog about something - I keep telling myself to take more photos of my life in London but slowly but surely it is becoming more normal that I am living over here (living the dream, some might say) and the urge to take photos of, what is now, everyday life is slowly dwindling.
Having said that, a long weekend in Poland was the perfect opportunity to take lots of photos and visit a new city! Last weekend, the February school half term, I headed to Poland with two other lovely teachers: Stacey and Saf for a relaxing 'mini break' in Krakow (aka. teachers losing their mind as a result of having too much freedom).
I am proud to announce that I headed into Essex (Stacey lives here) before commencing the journey to the airport, seems like Essex is on the television so much now that it was worth mentioning.
Before I get going, I will explain the backpack photos - the girls were somewhat shocked that I managed to fit all my packing into one backpack (which I maintain is an ugly but incredibly practical travel necessity), Saf and I looked super awesome rocking our backpacks at the airport (even though Saf owns the most impractical back pack I have ever laid eyes on).
We arrived in Krakow late on a Friday night but immediately made ourselves at home in our lovely penthouse apartment.
Also, how strange that the penthouse apartments were separated from the other apartments by a separate gate (photo top right), it did kind of feel like we were entering and exiting our very own prison - according to the owner, this was to ensure privacy!
The next day, after a long lie in, we were refreshed and ready to get out and about - unfortunately the weather was against us because we woke up to grey skies and rain - just like London!
The above two photos are taken in the main marked square in Krakow (Rynek Glown), some of the architecture on the surrounding buildings and churches was really lovely - during the evening the square was really busy and full of people eating out and drinking at local bars.
We definitely started the day bright eyed and bushy tailed and thanks to Stace's selfie obsession, which don't get me wrong, I am definitely grateful for, we have plenty of photo evidence of our day!
Saf displayed plenty of enthusiasm by falling asleep on the first bus we caught!
The first attraction we decided to visit was the Krakow Salt Mines, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site (I am just ticking these off without looking back).
After entering we immediately descending underground down 380 stairs (64m) to the first level of the salt mines - this is actually much further than you might imagine.
We were among a large group of other people who joined (by requirement) an English tour group - as you can see we started off very enthusiastic - Saf and I even had a go at tasting some of the salt which lined the walls of the salt mines (I dunno about Saf but I legitimately licked that wall and it was extremely salty - not a huge surprise).
It was pretty cool walking through the underground mines, they are really well preserved and the sections in which the walls are lined with salt are really cool.
The above (right) photo is of Stacey in a giant chapel area - there were enormous underground rooms that must have taken a long while to carve out - I might know more about this had I been actually listening to the guided tour.
As you can see we started off as keen adventurers.
However, our enthusiasm quickly declined. As it turned out the tour was LONG and the woman giving the tour spoke in a purely monotone voice and appeared to completely hate her job, this didn't exactly do wonders for the quality of the tour.
Above: Saf trying to contain her excitement by taking a short kip on my chest. Also, the aptly nicknamed "funeral photo" as Stacey and I mourn our freedom and inability to escape to the above ground world.
Our disinterested tour guide ensured that our boredom quickly descended into frustration as we longed to escape the salt mines! Once the dreaded tour finally ended and we located the exit sign we still had to walk for at least another 20 minutes before reaching a lift that finally took us to freedom!
I was eternally thankful to breathe fresh air.
Tip: when traveling to Poland, do not bother visiting the salt mines.
Once we left the salt mines and got some food into our bellies and wine glasses in our hands we were definitely a much happier trio!
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Later that night we geared up for a night out in Krakow!
Pre-night out selfies were, of course, mandatory.
After wandering the streets in search of a decent place to get out night started, we stumbled upon a bar called Coco (thanks to a group of drunken British lads), this was to be the location which started and ended out nights.
As you can see we started the evening very well composed and looking pretty sharp!
We soon found that buying drinking on a night out in Krakow is shockingly affordable, which in no way slowed down our speed of alcohol consumption (on a side note, I remain the jager bomb queen - which probably is largely to blame for my headache the following day).
Our composure quickly diminished - however, there is no denying we had a fantastic night and I was particularly pleased at having found a giant foam glow stick, (which I felt the need to back on Saf's head at every possible opportunity) - every girls dream!
Love all round!
Fortunately we were able to contain ourselves enough to take some reasonable end of the night photos - before the bouncers (not so politely) asked as to leave as it was the end of the night/start of the morning and the club was closing - we were devastated that our night/morning was ending (we I was anyway)!
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The following day, whilst battling one of the worst hangovers known to man, we bravely ventured out of our penthouse palace to one of the most sombre and moving places I have ever had the privilege of visiting: Auschwitz.
Auschwitz is a really haunting place to visit but I honestly believe that, despite the horrific events that occurred, it is important to visit places such these, if for no other reason than to prevent anything like this from occurring again. A lot of what we experienced and learnt while visited Auschwitz was quite mortifying and difficult to fully comprehend but definitely a worthwhile experience.
This is a photo taken from the front gate of Auschwitz I - the sign says 'Arbeit Macht Frei' - which, ironically, translate to 'work sets you free.'
I am sure that most people are familiar with this name, Auschwitz was the largest German concentration and death camp in operation during WW2, this was a site on which many people lost their lives and were mistreated beyond belief. I honestly do not think that words can do this event in our history justice.
One thing I do truly believe is the sentiment in this sign - "those who do not remember the past are condemned to repeat it."
Visiting Auschwitz is really an experience that is difficult to put into words and I am afraid that I will not be able to do the whole experience justice, instead I have chosen some photos that in some way manage to capture the hauntingly chilling atmosphere at Auschwitz.
These statistics were truly horrific to read and difficult to comprehend - I don't believe that visiting this site now enables you to truly understand how horrific this site was, but I believe, nonetheless, that it was a significant and important experience and one that I am grateful to have had - it really does make you appreciate the freedom you have.
Visiting Auschwitz was a powerful experience, although it is difficult to image the atrocities that occurred here during WW2, I believe it is important that we are able to visit such sites to pay our respects and acknowledge and learn from such tragic events.
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Although it is difficult to move past my heavy and sombre description of Auschwitz, I am choosing to leave you with one final image that is a little less distressing.
On our final night in Krakow we made sure to (finally) get a Polish meal! Pictured below is Pierogi - Polish dumplings! I had wanted to try them the whole time I had been in Poland and was very pleased to have them as our final meal in Poland.
Also, chocolate, because why not!?
There were many ups and downs, fun experiences and saddening ones but I had a fantastic 'mini-break' in Krakow and would highly recommend it for a weekend away.
A huge shout out to my British mates Saf and Stacey for making the weekend an amazingly fun and memorable one!
Until next time!
xxx
