Thursday, August 18~Exploring Kraków

This morning we had a delicious buffet breakfast at Hotel Kossak, then we went on a walking tour with a delightful city guide. We walked on the nearby castle grounds and toured the ornate church there. In the huge courtyard they often hold concerts. Next, our group of eight rode on two golf carts to tour the old city which escaped damage during World War ll. I think it is interesting that when the city walls were torn down, that land became a green belt of parks.  

 

We walked though the largest town square in Europe. Restaurants, a cathedral, and specialty shores surround the square. In the middle, local venders sell their wares. At noon a trumpet sounded at the church, and people in ethnic costumes paraded around the square.

Miina took some of us to a local restaurant for lunch. Linda and I split our orders and shared with each other: mushroom and onion dumplings and fresh strawberries and cream dumplings.After that, Miina showed us her favorite ice cream shop. I ordered a 2-scoop vanilla walnut and strawberry ice cream cone.

After that, Linda and I walked through a pottery shop and an ethic clothing shop. We ended with a walk through the local art faire in the middle of the square. Then we walked twenty minutes back to our hotel and rested a while.  

This evening we thoroughly enjoyed a Chopin piano concert near the town square. Miina had arranged this at our request since I played some music composed by him when I was in high school. It was special to hear his music played in Poland since he was born near Warsaw. Witold Wilczek, winner of numerous competitions in Paris and Rome, played an hour concert consisting of nine very technical pieces. Several of us gave him a standing ovation. He played a short piece composed by his grandfather as his encore. This was a magical and emotional concert for me since both of my parents had been so encouraging when I took piano lessons.