Poland: Krakow

Pretty arcade in Kazimierz (Jewish quarter.) A scene in Schindler's List shot here.
The Wawel Dragon & me
Tai and I caught the train to Krakow pronounced "Krakof" on a really hot (over 30) and sunny blue sky day. I realised that mum was at the airport already in Melbourne, but I wouldn't see her until tomorrow night! Such a long journey. But it made me so happy to know she was on her way!

Our hostel had a great free BBQ dinner outside that night and we met lots of Aussies, a German couple who looked like supermodels, NZ, USA, Brits, a Scot and an Italian. We all went out to a club and somehow found our way home past the Wawel (castle) sitting up on the hill, through the Planty (gardens) filled with homeless people, stopping for kebabs and zapiekanka. (Fastfood snack of toasted open baguette covered in cheese & mushrooms and whatever other topping you want. )

Italian, Ballarat, Tai and I explored the Jewish quarter cool shops the next day and then went down into the dragons den in the castle grounds. So the story goes that a king of Krakow claimed there was a dragon living in a cave under his castle, and in order for the dragon to stay happy and not come out and ravage the town, it had to be fed young virgin girls once a month. Who knows what really happened to those little girls, but it was a huge dark, dripping rocky cave system under there! The dragon is the city mascot; you can buy soft toy dragons, shot glasses with dragons, tshirts, hats, umbrellas, postcards all covered with this friendly looking dragon.

I checked out of the hostel and made my way to a real hotel near the old town square where I was meeting mum!