Fall Break in Poland

For our fall break this year Kelly, Giuliana, our friend Krista and I took off for Poland. Lithuania is just north of Poland and we decided instead of flying to take the train. Probably the last time we take trains through eastern Europe, but at least I didn't have to stress the whole time about flying. Our first leg of the trip was a 9 hour train ride to Warsaw. We changed trains once, which was a little crazy when we realized thestroller was too wide and had to quickly take the wheels off. Another reason I do not wish to go on trains again is the whole toilet situation. A whole in the ground is worse than finding a tree somewhere! We made it to Warsaw late Sunday night and wound around through the underground train station until we found an exit. We were SO glad to be off of the train and in a nice bed!

Leaving Vilnius

Relaxing in the train

Napping in the train



Warsaw (view out of our hotel window)

 Our second day of the trip we took another train to Krakow. November 1st is All Saints Day. It is a national holiday and everyone visits the cemetary where their relatives who have passed away are burried. The sell candles everywhere and the people bring the candles and place them on their relatives graves. We went to the cemetary that night in Krakow and it was an amazing sight. It was a huge cemetary and not one grave was unlit.
That day we walked around the Old Town of Krakow and enjoyed the beautiful city. We had lunch at a traditional Polish restaurant and Giuliana played the piano for us.

Heading to Krakow

Giuliana playing the piano. Our future Fredrica Chopin!

Krakow city center

Kelly walking Giuliana around town

Krakow cemetary at night on All Saints Day

Krakow cemetary at night on All Saints Day

Krakow cemetary at night on All Saints Day

Krakow cemetary at night on All Saints Day

Our second day in Krakow we took a bus to Auschwitz. There are two parts to Auschwitz. The main camp and a larger camp they built later. The 2^nd camp is where the people were brought in on a train and many were sent immediately to their death. It was very difficult walking around both camps, especially with Giuliana. Imagining the things that happened to families is just heart breaking. These are a few pictures Kelly took. Visitors were encouraged to take pictures and share them so as to never forget the atrocities that took place there.

Bus ride back to Krakow

Doing our last bit of shopping in Krakow before we leave.

On Wednesday we headed back to Warsaw for the last 2 days of our trip. We were tired of traveling on trains at this point (and we still had another 9 hour train ride to look forward to on Friday back to Vilnius!) It was rainy and cold in Warsaw but we still did some walking around. It was completely destroyed during WWII and the old town was rebuilt to its original form. There were these waffle shops all over the place and I had to stop and get one! It was great! We also enjoyed some American things like Starbucks. On Friday morning we headed to the train station for our long journey home. When we arrived home to Vilnius we were all happy to be home again!

My Yummy Waffle!

City wall around the Old Town