Kicking it in Krakow

I decided to head to Krakow on one of my last weekends in Poland. This city is the heart of the country. Ask any local which is their favorite Polish city and it's nearly always Krakow. This is a world class traveling spot with so many sights to see that if you decide to eurotrip, this city is definitely worth stopping in.

The tower in the main square

Once the capital of Poland, Krakow is not a huge city but is jam packed with culture, night life and history. It lies along the Vistula river. English is heard as much Polish so there are no communicaton problems for any tourist. It is Poland's number 1 tourist destination.

A smaller square in the old town

I found a little treasure

It is separated into 3 main attractions; the old town, the castle and the Jewish quarter.

The old town is based around a big main square that is outlined with cafes and restaurants. It is then framed by a park that circles the city. Interesting fact: the park actually symbolizes the city wall that once protected the city. All that remains now though is the Barbican.

On the right is the market block where cloth was sold in medieval times

Within the square (rynek in Polish) is St Mary's Cathedral, the tower and the market block.



The castle is situated on Wawel Hill. Legend has it that a dragon once lived under the hill and terrorised the country side, eating all the fair maidens in the land. A young man named Krak destroyed the dragon, married the princess and eventually became king. This is apparently why the city is named Krakow.

The cathedral that is situated next to the castle on top of Wawl Hill

The Jewish Quarter is quite picturesque with cafes and restaurants, bookshops, bars and souvenir shops.

One of the restaurants in the Jewish district

The free walking tours are really worth doing as the guides give a lot of interesting information about the history and culture of the city.

This city is definitely worth visiting. I might have left a piece of my heart there.

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Day to Day Living in Poland

So for the past 9 months I have been teaching English in a town called Radom, south of Warsaw. Here are some things that I learnt during my stay.

1. People lead a simple life here. A roof over your head, family, a job - what more do you need? This might be from the communism days, but I appreciated it nonetheless.

2. Cost of living is relatively low, depending on where you buy your groceries and shop for clothes. Many people like supporting their local grocer, most probably because its usually cheaper than chain stores.

3. Thrift shops are common here and it's quite normal to go shopping for something on a Saturday morning.

4. Poland is 90% Catholic, which means Sunday is reserved for mass and family. Most shops are closed on this day except for maybe shopping malls.

5. Women like to dress smartly. Never without panty hose and usually always with high heels. Women here like to dress well and take pride in themselves.

6. Most young girls don't dye or cut their hair but prefer to keep it long with just a fringe. Though its also popular, once out of school, to shave the side of your head. Or for guys (and scarily enough, some women) to grow a mullet and, wait for it, dread it. That killed me -_-

7. It's common to get married and start a family young. I find this weird and strange and can't imagine doing it at my tender, youthful age of 23.

8. Poles don't like the Russians. Don't talk about them, don't try speak the language, just pretend they don't exist. The older generation are quite racist about it. Communism - you ruin everything.

9. Public transport is great! I prefer to walk but the bus and tram system work really well. Taxis might rip you off though if you're not careful but I've had only good experiences.

10. Vodka. Need I say more. Na zdrowia!

Auschwitz, Death Camp Part 2

Most people grow up with some knowledge of World War II. I did more than most in South Africa because my grandmother is a direct survivor of the war. I always heard stories of her experiences growing up so I have a natural interest in the history of what happened. When the opportunity to see Auschwitz came, I jumped at it.

Jews were brought from all over Europe via cattle train to Berkenau. Sometimes it took up to 10 days to reach the camp, without food or water. Many old people and children were dead upon arrival.

An example of the cattle train

Once unloaded, men and women were immediately examined by officers to judge who would live and work, and who would be put to death. Those are the ones who were sent straight to the gas chambers. Doctors also had their pick of who they wanted to experiment on here.

The line up

5-7 kg of poison was used to kill about 1 500 people

Poison was used in the chambers called Cyclon B. People died within 15-20 minutes. Bodies were either put to incinerators or cremation pits.

Crematorium at Auschwitz

Prisoners were punished for whatever reasons officers could think of; working too slowly, helping fellow prisoners, sharing a meal. Punishments included death by starvation, prolonged standing, cell confinement and also beatings. This happened in a building called the "Death Block."

The ruins of one the blown up chambers

Towards the liberation of the camp, the SS men tried to conceal evidence of the camp by blowing up the gas chambers and and two crematoria at Berkenau but you can still see the ruins of what was left.





If you decide to visit Poland (which I highly recommend you do), visiting Auschwitz will add substance and depth to your trip. I was emotionally exhausted after the tour but it has certainly made me so grateful for what I have.

This is written in 20 different languages at the memorial site

Here is Part 1 of my Auschwitz post

Auschwitz, The Final Solution Part 1

This past weekend I decided to travel to Krakow one last time before going back home to South Africa. I'd been once before but this time I wanted to go for two reasons besides seeing the beautiful city.

1. Say goodbye to my dear friend Amanda who taught with me in Radom

2. Visit Auschwitz

"Work brings Freedom"

Auschwitz was the biggest concentration camp in Nazi-occupied Poland for Poles, political prisoners and European Jews. From 1940 to 1945, it was the centre of mass extermination of the Jewish race. An estimated 1,5 million victims died there.

The camp was walled off by double electric barbed wire

Not only did death come via gas chamber, but also through deliberate starvation, work exhaustion, criminal experiments, shooting and hanging.

Auschwitz was chosen as the site for the eradication of Jews because it was "easily isolated and camouflaged." The camp is situated in the south of Poland and surrounded by forest.

The camps were based around the town Oswiecim

Auschwitz is made up of three big camps named I, II (Auschwitz - Berkenau) and III (Auschwitz - Monowice). There are a few kilometres between them. I and II are now museums open to the public.

Suitcases brought with families

Most Jews that arrived were convinced that they were being resettled in Eastern Europe. Promise of land and honest work made people bring their most prized belongings with them. Jewelry was usually hidden or sewn into their clothes but was always found by soldiers. Thousands of glasses, shoes, clothes, cups and pots; anything you can think of, was brought and sorted through to be taken back to Germany.





Hair was shaven off every prisoner and collected to be made into cloth for clothes and blankets in Germany. 7 tons of hair was found in the camp the day it was liberated.

To be continued in Part 2

The railway line to Berkenau that transported the prisoners

Witamy w Polsce!

For the past 9 months I have been living in Poland. I decided to change my life drastically and although it was one of the hardest decisions I have ever made, it has definitely been the most rewarding.

Warsaw Old Town

I have learnt to how to be alone and fend for myself. Coming home from a long day at work to only having yourself as company took some getting used to. I am used to drama in my life and all of a sudden, it was completely drama free. The transition to living on my own was difficult; slightly depressing, but I have come out the other side a stronger, more confident, more efficient version of the girl that left her friends and family crying at the airport all those months ago.

Over looking the Visla river and the new football stadium in Warsaw

During my stay in Poland, I have been teaching English at a private language school in a city called Radom. It's relatively small in comparison to some other, more impressive cities in Poland, but I made my home here and I have been content. The friends I've made here are for life.


The beautiful thing about Poland is that it's old. The architecture, the history, everything about this country is amazing and not to mention interesting. Areas of Poland are dated as far back as 900AD. Many people come to cities like Warsaw and Krakow to see relics of WWII but there is so much more to this country than people realise.

The river Odra in Wroclaw 

The food here is delicious! From pierogi (dumplings) to barszcz czerwoni (beet root soup), local beer to vodka, paczek (donuts with raspberry jam) to gofry (waffles); the food here is wholesome and good. Most families don't like eating out at restaurants but prefer a good home cooked meal.

I am leaving Poland soon to start my next adventure but I hope to come back here some day.

Wroclaw Old Town