Day 2

I have to do multiple posts or it would be too much in one post...

Our collaborator picked me to take me to the University for my presentation. This was uneventful. However, I couldn't find any still water to save my life and was VERY dehydrated. I felt sick and knew I needed to be ready for the presentation, and settled for the "gazowana wada" (gas water). I think it may have made me feel even worse and I didn't think I'd make it through the presentation, but somehow managed. Afterwards, another student graciously drove me back to my hotel so I could change, pull myself together and get out and see Kraków with my only free time.

I went to the Main Market Square which was laid out in 1257. It was amazing. There were people all over with lots of cafes and shops. The main building is a Renaissance building that replaced an earlier Gothic market that was destroyed in a fire. Behind this building, you can see the city hall tower. This is the only remaining part of the former City Hall built in the 14th century. It was old, but very neat. Then, on the other corner of the market was the Church of St. Mary. It was started in 1355, but wasn't completed until the early 16th century. The tower on the left in the image is Hejnał Tower and produces a trumpet call hourly. The call is unfinished, though, in memory of a medieval trumpeter, shot while sounding the alarm and is broadcast live by Polish radio daily at noon.

Following my adventures in the Main Market, I went to the Collegium Maius (the oldest surviving college of the Jagiellonian University (Copernicus and Pope John Paul II both attended). I walked through the courtyards where Copernicus undoubtedly walked and saw numerous astronomy, chemistry, geography, etc. instruments used early in the studies at Jagiellonian. It was absolutely amazing!!!! I enjoyed this so much! It was very neat because there were globes that didn't have America and there were globes which had America under Madagascar. There was so much history in this place and was so inspiring for a young academic ; ). DEFINITELY WORTHWHILE if you are EVER in Kracovea!!! : )

Here is the courtyard where Copernicus walked and studied!!!

Following this amazing tour, I went to grab a quick bite to eat...an amazingly warm circular pretzel (note the gazowana wada) and listened to some polish polka (pictured and in the SHORT video).

Then I managed to find my way to Wawel (pronouce Valvel) Hill. Here lies, the Wawel Royal Castle and Gothic cathedral which entombs many kings of Poland. This hill is fortified from earlier times and is strategically situated on the river. It is regarded as a symbol of national identity as the it once was the hub of cultural and political life in Poland. The castle is a huge 4-story palace where the royal court lived for some time, but were eventually transferred to Warsaw. The castle was very medieval and unrealistic to me. It was amazingly built and had a moat, marble everywhere, medieval seats and there was even a CAVE!!!!!! Here are pictures of the back of the castle and the fortifications and the river from atop of the fortification on the front side.

The cave was legended to have a dragon who ate girls with names that were randomly selected and the King's daughter's name was once selected so he offered her up to anyone who could kill the dragon. Nobody could except for this poor blacksmith. He stuffed a sheep full of sulphur and left it outside of the cave. The dragon ate it and became so thirsty he had to drink the water from the river. Well, he kept drinking and drinking until he eventually exploded! HAHA! Now, they have a dragon statue outside of the cave who blows FIRE every 10 minutes!!! It's VERY COOL!

After my sightseeing, another one of the students offered to take me to dinner. She brought her husband and son and we went to a nearby restaurant. It was very traditional and supposedly very similar to what poorer people would eat. Very hearty, but delicious food. I got a sampler which included many meat/vegetable filled dough things (can't think of another word), halupki, pickled cucumbers, Bigos (similar to a hearty stew with pork & sauerkraut), something else similar to couscous but made from barley, a potato with some type of sauce over it and then a black sausage. I asked what this was and she attempted to describe it. Her husband abruptly interrupted and said, "Don't tell her." So I was told that I couldn't be told what it was until I tried it. I did, nervously of course, and didn't really find it offensive. I couldn't imagine what it was made out of so I asked. I had to know. Are you ready..........???????? It is made from blood. The english translation is Blood Sausage. I didn't think there was a strong blood flavor and never would have guessed Blood Sausage. It was made with barely and was supposedly prepared very well. I didn't finish it because the thought began to consume me. Apparently they have the same type of thing in England...Black Pudding...watch out Jeremy!!!

After dinner, the son of the collaborator who was my age offered to take me around Krakow to see the city at night. It was very beautiful and very enjoyable.

Hands down, the Poles are the nicest people I have ever met. Very conscientious, kind and friendly. I felt like I was family with most of them because they wanted to make sure I was as comfortable as I could possibly be. They are by far the most friendly and despite being by myself and not understanding any of the language, I feel very comfortable.