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!!!

A bittersweet day.....

Today I spend the last day with my grandmother.  It was a wonderful day and yet a sadness enveloped us as we chatted and reminisced. I cherish every single moment I have with my grandmother.  She is such an important part of my life.  I have never met such an amazing person and am thankful that she is and has been in my life.  And damn it- I better look this good and be this sharp when I am in my late 80s!!  I love you babcia!!!!!

Downtown Zabrze....

Although the weather was rainy (again!), we took the kids to downtown Zabrze (the town I was born in and lived in till I was 5).  The main focus of the trip was for them to get to ride on the Trolley- as you may remember- my children are FANATICS when it comes to public transportation.  I, on the other hand, am tired of all transportation in general.

A trolley- oh the joy!!!

 So the trip down memory lane commenced after a very bumpy ride which only two small occupants seemed to revel in.  Kids were not facinated by the building where I lived as a baby, not too impressed when I showed them the church that my parents were married in, not really interested in downtown Zabrze.  They were, however, pretty excited about the fact that we would ride the trolley BACK home....On our next vacation I am just going to take them to Detroit and let them ride the buses and the People Mover all day!

St. Anna's Church- place my parents got married

Front of the building where I lived as a baby- top 3 center windows.

I have to confess that I did something very bad....this is something I NEVER do when I travel to another country and I swore not to do it this time either.  That was BEFORE I brought my kids with me...that was BEFORE I was bombarded with requests for chicken nuggets and a "real" hamburger from the offspring....so I gave in and went to McDonalds.  I bought a "real"(please take note of the quotes here) cheeseburger and "real" chicken nuggets.  I took the bag and brought it with us to the restaurant my cousin and I were going to eat at.  Now- before anyone comments- just know that my cousin and I had a very nice meal and my kids ate QUIETLY.  Don't judge people....don't judge....

Polish mountains....Druga Czesc (Part 2).....

The next morning we woke up with a very overcast sky and two hyper children ready to do some more exploring.  We decided to go to downtown Brenna and walk around a bit.  We found a really cool zipline/climbing area.  You could almost see Christopher salivate at the sight.  So of course I figured- why not?

So here we were the instructor telling me the important instructions in Polish and I had the job of translating to my son who was just beside himself with excitement.  He listened attentively and learned the rules so quickly- I was pretty impressed.  I was too busy taking pictures to think about the fact that there were no nets if he fell (again- mother of the year- cast your votes ladies and gentlemen!).  He of course went on the green course (beginner) first and did so well I was going to have him do the higher blue course but the thunder and lightening and rain that began forced Christopher to only be left with a need for more climbing and ziplining.....oh I think my son has got a need for speed....(anyone shocked?)

The following day we went to Ustron (another small town in the mountains).  There we went to Czantoria.  It is an area that is visited most during the winter months for awesome skiing and other winter sports.  We took the ski lift up to the top of the mountain but unfortunately the enormous slide that was there was closed due to the weather.

Katie and kids on ski lift

Afterwards we drove through the mountains, and into the Czech Republic!!!  That's right- I could not pass up the opportunity to make my kids enter yet another country for a picture.... we were only about 15 miles away from the border and I couldn't help myself.  My kids dutifully got out of the car and posed for the pictures (they are so used to the drill by now!)

Czech Republic welcomes Chris and Olivia!

A very serious game of War is about to begin

The weather drove us back to the house where we spent the rest of the day reading(me), painting (Chris and Livvy), and playing intense games of WAR (Livvy, Chris, and Katie).  There is something really cool about a thunderstorm in the mountains and Katie and I ended the day with a nice horror movie to add to the storm.

So we are now back in Zabrze.  We have been spending the last few days hanging out with my grandmother.  I am suddenly aware that my time here is winding down.  On Saturday we fly back to Germany and next Tuesday we fly back to the states.  I am both sad and relieved.  Traveling with two kids is hard work and exhausting. If I am this exhausted- I can only imagine how exhausted the kids are becoming.  I see it in their behavior and mine (the quick tears, the sudden impatience with each other).  Living out of a suitcase for 5 weeks in two different countries is something they haven't done.  I am grappling with other emotions as well- my family is here....my grandmother.....the thought of leaving makes me so sad....