The train ride to Krakow was very smooth and fast, and modern. Only took 2.5 hours to cover 350ks. I made my way to the studio apartment in Krakow, where Anna was waiting to greet me. The studio is pretty small, but liveable. At least it is modern inside. I think i wont get that good a sleep here as there is a tram stop right outside the window, lets hope the double glazing works well.

The old Town square is one of the nicest i have seen so far. It is quite large and picturesque. It is also crowded with tourists as the weather here is rather hot.
The open horse coaches that take tourists around the town are magnificent in ever detail, even the operators. The best thing is there is no smell or trace of horse manure anywhere. I the evening the square comes alive with buskers. All drawing huge crowds as most are of such a high quality.
With so much history here and so many historical buildings its going to be hard to take it all in.
So i get acquainted with the old town streets and shops over the next few days. One day i have to seek refuge in a shopping mall as the weather went from glorious one day to cold and wet the next.

Caught the train to a town called Oswiecim. Its only 65ks from Krakow, but ake just under 2 hours. Talk about slow going. I was impressed at the train that took us there. very new and ultra modern. The exact opposte on the way back. A dirty old rickety train that was very noisy.

Oswiecim is where Aushwitz and Birkenau(Aushwitz 2) are located. Birkenau is the larger of the 2 death camps, but does not have much to see. Just buildings and demolished gas chambers. Aushwitz has a lot more to see, but i can only take so much of this place. Its ever so hard to imagine the atrocities that took place here. 1.3 million people exicuted. Aushwitz is a museum, so there is a lot of information available. I did not stay long, about half an hour. There is something very strange about being in a place where there was so much pain and suffering to people, ordinary people.

There is an ice cream shop just next to where i am staying. They must have the best icecream in all of Poland. Pretty much from the time they open till the time they close, there is always a queue. One evening the queue must have been over 100 people long, with the line going around the block. No other ice cream shop in Krakow has ever had a queue. Will i bet tempted to try one, probably not.

Spending an evening in the main square is a wonderful experience. Its is full of tourists quietly enjoying the balmy summer evening. Buskers fill the air with great music, not too loud. Plenty of young guys doing dance and showing off their strength, and some of them are very strong. The crowds they can draw can number up to 100 people or more. Such a lovely place to sit and watch. I will miss sadly miss this part of Krakow.

Climbed to the top of the city hall tower. The stairs were very challenging as they were quite big steps, very narrow and not well light. It was rather quiet in the tower and the square as it was over 33 degrees. No doubt the square will be alive tonight

Tonight i am having dinner with my host. This is my last night in Krakow. Tomorrow its off to Prague. A bus to the border and then a train to Prague. About 6 hours of travelling.