August 11

August 11th (sunny, bit of rain and then perfect)
This morning after Georg again figured out the train and rail system into Krakow, we quickly boarded a city tour bus. Although the city did not warrant us taking a tour bus because most of the activity happens in and around the “oldest medieval city square in Europe”, it worked out fine in that it was showering a little and my knee was particularly sore. I have noticed that whenever we walk a lot on cobblestones especially, I really pay for it for a couple of days after.
Back to Krakow – Wow! Did we ever have a great day! Poland has been a delight to visit, but especially this city with all the fantastic restaurants, music and entertainment happening all around. We spent the day touring and walking, had lunch and did more touring to the old castle, but were totally taken in by the charm of the old section of Krakow. It is Saturday night and again we were witness to many weddings. These ones also included a traditional procession through the streets of the old town, either by walking or some couples choose to ride in open horse-drawn carriages.
On the way out, we decided to have some appetizers and beer in a sidewalk restaurant right in the market square and people watched and took in the entertainment happening at the outside stage. Doing this was so much fun that we decided to stay a little longer which turned into a lot longer when we walked past the Irish Pub and Georg noticed the England-France rugby match was on the TV. We went in, had a couple of beers, met some crazy Englishmen who left their wives in Nice, France and were here for three days. After more beer and vodka shooters, I was treated by one of the fellows who does some kind of ‘hands-on therapy’ for my knee, we headed out into the dark to catch our bus and train home.
The huge town square with all the people and performers at night took on a totally different character – even more splendid at night. We managed to find our way back with the aid of an English family and had a rum and grapefruit nightcap – this time with “ice” for the first time in this van.