DOWN TO KRAKOW

The drive to Krakow was a decent through meadows with ridge top homes,  

past cows grazing,  down steep grades on a narrow road   meeting bicycles climbing up,  through small farming communities,  and finally on the expressway into the big city.  Along the way, we passed several roadside venders.  It appeared they were selling some sort of bread role or sweet bun.  Finally out of curiosity we stopped and made a purchase.  It turned out to be “mountain cheese”, goat cheese which has been smoke cured so it ends up with a salty, smoky, cheese flavor.  The cheese is very dense.  It goes wonderfully with French bread and wine for an evening snack.

We had no trouble driving directly to our hotel in Krakow and after checking in, we headed for old town about one mile away.  Once parked in a big city it’s much more convenient to walk which is what we do.  Near the square, we spotted a carriage. Then more carriages.  Here they are tourist transports, but they also get used for wedding exits. The wedding had been held in St. Mary’s Cathedral, on the square.   This weekend some of the Euro 2012 soccer matches are being played and security was very high.  One street was completely blocked off because the British team was about to exit it’s hotel.  We stopped to watch.  

In the center of the square is Cloth Hall which centuries ago was used as the trading center for the wool merchants and dye makers. Today it has been converted to sales of jewelry,  crafts and souvenirs.   A mile south of the old town square is Wawel Royal Castle. We toured the grounds, but bypassed the 4 hour inner tour.          On the way back to the square we came across these dancers from Georgia who were entertaining visitors to an exhibit of Georgian products, mostly wines and breads.