Krakow, Zabrze coal mine, and the beginnings of our departure.......

Krakow!

Getting ready to eat some yummy pierogies

 We packed up the kids yesterday and took the train to Krakow.  Krakow is about 50 miles away from Zabrze.  The train trip took us over 2 hours (ahhh-public transportation).  Krakow was founded over a thousand years ago and became Poland's capital in 1038.  The Wawel Royal castle was the home of Polish kings.  It was Poland's capital till 1791 when Warsaw was named the capital after a number of kings chose to reside in Warsaw after their coronation in Krakow.  It is the second most important city in Poland and is a cultural center.

Kids in front of Sukiennice

We spent the day walking around the "old town" which is filled with cafes, restaurants, and Sukiennice (Cloth hall).  This was once a major center of international trade.  During the 15th century it was a source of many exotic imports from the East (spices, teas, silks). Today it is mainly used to sell lots of souveniers from Poland. 

Inside Sukiennice

Outside of Wawel Castle

We also visited Wawel Royal Castle and visited the "Dragon's Den" a popular folklore in Polish history and the history of Krakow. The kids got to climb down into the den and walk around. 

Going into the Dragon's Den

We spent the day just enjoying one of the first sunny days in a long time. 



 

Outside the mine

Today we went to see "Guido" coal mine in Zabrze.  I was not too excited about this trip (there is nothing exciting or fun to me about going underground).  Kids really wanted to go so we went.  You could go to two depths- 170 meters (557 feet down) or 320 meters (1,049 feet down).  Christopher really wanted to go down all the way but Olivia was too young according to the tour guide.  We were told it was not safe- NOT SAFE????!!!!  Well then WHY would anyone go down that far??????  So, needless to say, we only went 557 feet down.  That was enough for me to get a sense of what a coal miners work was like in the past (they actually used HORSES in the mines). 

In the tight elevator going down 500 feet- Olivia's look is the mirror image of mine

The "elevator" we took down

The mine tunnels

Chris ready with his hard hat and his lamp

By an old mining machine

Happy miners

Just plain creepy

Now starts the frantic packing and repacking.  We have been in Poland for the last 18 days.  Tomorrow we begin a 4 day journey home.  We fly out to Koln, Germany tomorrow morning.  The long trip home and the end of our adventure is creeping up on us.  Not sure how I feel about it all just yet.  Overwhelmed with packing right now and not really wanting to think about anything else.  Kids are wild (nothing changed there!!!). 

Will blog from our next destination.  Goodbye Poland and family- it has been a really great adventure! Thank you for everything!!!