Day 6, Into the Heavens! (Aug 31)

Poland Sep 3, 2018

The following are of the church where we had our morning Mass:

(Immediately Above) The nuns turned the lights off around the altar, and we were left with this!

(Immediately Above) Taken from the bus; didn't turn out how I'd imagined, but it's still beautiful.

Today was a fun day, although I wish it could have been swapped with another of the Krakow days due to weather.

I've mentioned several times how flat Poland is... but today we visited the polish highlands! It was cloudy and drizzly, so we had to take our guides at their word at the heights and beauty of the peaks.

The rest of Poland uses local rocks in/on their houses and fences. In the highlands? Wood is more abundant.

Unlike in the U.S., the Zakopane-ians know how to build a weather-proof home of only wood on the outside! Plus, they last for hundreds of years if maintained properly. Notice the similarities with Bavarian houses and the steep rooves.

At some point, a wealthy resident of Zakopane hired an architect to come up with a house design that could be differentiated from Bavaria. They still look really similar to me... As well as those in the snowier areas of Japan (Gifu, I believe).

A note on that last photo, above: I used to play on playgrounds like this in Germany! The U.S. ain't got nothing on Europe's playgrounds...

After arriving in Zakopane-proper, those who wanted to go up the mountain did. Cloudy or not, we wanted to see what, if anything, was visible. Plus, it's the closest we will ever be to the other heritage in our blood, Czechoslovakian.

Two funny anecdotes...

#1, me: I needed lunch--even something small. One of the restaurants at the top had this sandwich-board sign.

Which I translated with Google Translate, "We recommend highland casserole."

Ok. I'll bite. I mean, after all, food is one of the big reasons why I'm here... So, I walked up to the girl at the counter, smiled, and held my thumb up (how Europeans indicate "one" item). I then pointed to the sign (which was facing away from her). She nodded in understanding, and I paid.

After a few minutes of standing around (seemingly too long), awaiting my casserole, my order was called. This is what I received.

Now, my aunt (who speaks not only Polish, but six other languages) later informed me that "Zapiekanka" means "sandwich." Suffice it to say, I was a bit surprised and slightly disappointed at not receiving a casserole. But, it was food! I'm just glad it was palatable. I'd consider the hotdog a step up from Oscar Meyer, but the bun was pretty good. Ketchup surrounded the white hot dog, inside the bread.

#2, Dad: After walking along the peak's ridge, where there are innumerable shops, and some houses, we decided to take a bathroom break before heading back down to the city.

Note: It is not uncommon throughout Europe for there to be a fee associated with public restrooms. This was one such WC (water closet). Likewise, the lines at the women's is usually out the door.

Having exited while my mom and I were still in line, my dad found a chair outside the WC, directly behind the door (which opened outward into the small corridor).

When my mom and I emerged, he had one of his hands closed, and a puzzled look on his face. We stood in front of him, ready to go. He opened his hand to reveal a 2 Zloty coin--the charge for this WC.

Apparently, a young girl had handed him a coin. My dad assumed she thought him to be seeking alms. After quietly discussing it for a moment, Dad points to a woman behind us stating that she was with the young girl. The woman seemed to be looking at us, too, especially since we ladies had emerged.

Dad finally stood to leave, walking a few paces away. It was at this point, with us all looking at each other, that the woman burst out laughing, putting 2 & 2 together, quite embarrassed.

My dad-all of us still smiling and laughing-handed the lady the coin. She didn't speak English, but my dad pantomimed that he thought the young girl thought he was a beggar, which elicited more blushing and laughing from the woman. We waved that it was ok, and parted ways, all still chuckling.

(Immediately Above) My photo of the city of Zakopane, below us.

(Immediately Above) NOT my photo: what Zakopane should look like on a sunny day.

The cable car ride is actually pretty short--about 2 or 3 minutes to go 1000km.

Back in the city, mom and I had a ton of fun shopping for birthday and Christmas gifts. Stalls lined both sides of the main street leading to the cable car. They were also jam-packed into small offshoots. Many had the usual same trinkets, but you could easily spot the booths of true craftsmen. Wonderful products!

One of the several foods this area is known for is it's smoked cheese. Our tour guide threatened us that if she discovered we hadn't tried it while in Zakopane, she'd turn the bus around! This cheese is often mistaken by tourists as a small loaf of bread. They're beautiful--pressed into molds. They even sell bite-sized pieces in case you only wish to taste it.

The cheese had a great smoky flavor, but the texture was kinda too rubbery for me. Very odd feeling as you chew it. I would have bought some for U.S. friends and family, but I didn't see any that were vacuum sealed. Anything else wouldn't pass customs.

Before our free time was up, we took the recommendation of the other bus' tour guide to see the local cemetery. If you know me and my mom (mostly mom for this, though), we can't pass up cemeteries. But, the guide stated, "I guarantee you won't see a cemetery like this in the whole U.S.!" Sold!

Now you can see why. With all of the craftsmen in the area, no grave is "ordinary." Each is a unique masterpiece!

Also on our agenda for the day was the famous wooden church of Zakopane. It was superb! The craftsmanship was exquisite.

This little guy was hidden on the outside of the left side of the church. I didn't see _anyone_ go around that way--the pathway to the woods behind the church was on the right. So, I'm the only one who spotted him!

It was almost time to head back to Krakow, but we were able to check out the church which we used as a meeting point.