Poland Round Two!

            After a long day and a bus ride I sit down to reflect on our group’s time in Krakow, Poland.

            At first I wasn’t too sure what to expect from this trip but I got a pleasant surprise. When we got into Krakow we went straight to the salt mine for one of the best tours I’ve had since I’ve been here. We learned a ton about the mining industry in Poland and the particular mine we were in. The tourist route of this mine housed many facilities, such as multiple chapels. They also housed a stable for the horses that they brought down into the mine. These horses stayed in the mine until the work was done. I never knew how beautiful a salt mine could be until I saw the many salt crystals that formed some of the chandeliers and sculptures throughout. On our way through we all also got the chance to lick the walls, which is an experience I will never forget.

            That evening we checked into our hostel and relaxed for the rest of the night. The next day we woke up and headed out to tour Wawel castle. Our group was led by a tour guide through the armory and the state rooms of the castle. We saw many interesting weapons and rooms with tapestries and paintings galore. However, I did not gather much information from my tour guide due to her accent and her fast paced talking.

            After we were done with the tour we were free for the rest of the day. Emily, Cassie, and I went and enjoyed some Hard Rock Café, with American food and free refills, which is a rarity in Europe. We then decided to go through the outdoor market that was taking place in the square right outside of Hard Rock. They had many homemade, hand-crafted items that were beyond unique. It was fun to walk around and see what their culture brings to arts and crafts. We then ventured back to our hostel where we ended up taking a three hour nap and then just relaxing for the rest of the night.

            Our last day in Krakow we got to take a tour of Schindler’s Factory. Most American’s know this story through the film “Schindler’s List”. This man kept many Jews out of concentration camps by being a part of the Nazi party but realizing the worth of a human life. Being in the building that he helped so many people was beyond surreal. We got to see Poland all the way from before the Nazi occupation to the end of the war, and the way Schindler utilized the factory to save Jews. More importantly we got to see the original office of Schindler himself, and a wonderful exhibit of Schindler’s list.

            Reflecting on all of the things I saw this weekend is hard because each facility was so different than the last. But overall I feel like this was a great experience to see all the different things that Poland went through in their history.