Gorgeous cloudless sky this morning with temps in the low 60s heading toward 75!
I boarded an 8:00 am train to Krakow. The train route travels through Hungary, Slovakia, Czech Republic, into Poland, and then to Krakow.
My train car soon filled up with Hungarian high school students also heading Krakow. Non-stop chatter and hijinks for 8 hours?
No way – the next car behind was almost empty. So I moved s d sat in peaceful bliss while my previous car continued to buzz.
Then I unexpectedly had to get off to change trains in a little Czech town, Bohumin. Supposed to leave in 30 minutes, but now that train was delayed for 90 minutes. AND come to find out…the lady who booked my train seat a few days ago failed to book a seat on this second train (she said my train would go straight to Krakow). NOPE! Have to change trains AND the second train was sold out for my 2nd Class Eurail Pass!
Fortunately, there were still first class seats available so I quickly upgraded (only $3 since I have a pass) and got to experience life in a first class train car for the rest of the ride to Krakow! Woo Hoo!
Anyway, Bohumin was very picturesque with a nice train station, too, and much larger than I would expect for such a small town. Maybe it’s a regional station for many small surrounding towns.
Since I had a long delay, I walked to a small cafeteria in town for lunch. And it cost less than $4.00!
After I arrived in Krakow and exited the station, I walked straight down the street for a quarter mile and…voila! My apartment building! That’s convenient.
After I dumped my stuff, I found a scooter and headed into Old Town to see where I pick up my tour at 7:00 am tomorrow morning. I wanted to be sure tonight so I don’t have to rush in the early morning figuring out where to go. Easy 15 minute ride.
And what a wonderfully glorious early fall evening!From what I’ve seen so far, Krakow is spectacular!
When I got back, I picked up some essentials for tonight and tomorrow at the tiny market a half block from my apartment.
Poland is a pretty good value.
While my private “apartment” is tiny, it is new, immaculate, has a kitchen, and a spotless bathroom. Best on the trip, so far. And it’s just over $100 for three nights. Find that in America! The only minor downside is the 76 steps going up to my top floor unit. NOT complaining , just an observation.
And for less than $18, here’s what I got at the tiny 7-11-style market (where prices are generally higher):
- Coke Zero – 4 bottles
- Foot long sub sandwich
- Strawberry yogurt w/granola
- Bananas – 3
- Pack of cookies
- Can of peanuts
- Gummy bears – 2 pkg
After a long day riding trains, I decided that eating in was in order – so a sub sandwich and chips in the room. Good enough!
And tomorrow I’ll be up early to join a 7:00 am tour to Auschwitz / Birkenau.
Words of wisdom, or just to amuse…?
It’s thrilling to be extremely polite to rude strangers.
A Captain’s Adventures 