I spent an unplanned fourth night in Krakow last night, partly because I needed to use up my remaining zloty, but mostly just because the hostel here is so amazingly nice. It’s definitely way better than my apartment, and costs less to boot (something like $550 a month, including breakfast and dinner). Actually, it’s most like staying at a friend’s, albeit with better social opportunities. I’ve been hanging out with a couple of British girls, who just graduated and are starting their trip. It’s fun to compare their initial enthusiasm with my desire just to get the hell home.
Krakow is pretty neat on the whole. It’s overrun with tourists, but I guess pretty much anywhere is this time of year. It has the standard Eastern European city features: castle on a hill; river bend; city walls-cum-park, but is small and sort of quiet. Definitely a good place to relax, even if my knee and ankle haven’t quite gotten back to being 100% yet. I’m taking the night train to Poznan, then Berlin, where I’m staying in an H2G2-themed hostel. After that I only have two nights to plan before I fly home. I’m thinking about trying to catch either Bastille Day festivities, or the Tour de France, but who knows how it will pan out?
Krakow's mascot
Donya and Catherine
I imagine this is less funny in places that were actually conquered by the Nazis.
English is kitschy, but apparently not actually spoken much.
Auschwitz
This would be a great name for a bar.
Yes, it's a theme hostel.
If you visit Berlin, you HAVE to go to the Pergamon.
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