first impressions of polish were that they were very rude and very unhelpful. when we got to the station and asked the woman behind the counter if we could reserve a train she just said no. and that was it. then after going back delibrating what different train we could get, she suddenly suggested a different way to get to bratislava which didnt need a reservation! we tried to put our bags in a locker and needed change so grainne went to get some by buying some water. but was again rudely refused just by the word no. so we headed to a supermarket and bought lunch to get change. after putting our bags in the lockers we headed into Krakow. it was pretty dull a few churches but nothing of any real interest. we headed to the castle and saw lots of people heading down some stair so we followed. we found down there two coffins no idea who for with loads of signs saying no photos but everyone was anyway! even a nun was taking a photo so then we decided to aswell! we headed back to the station and went to auschwitz. which was 30km away but took over 2 hours by train! Auschwitz was interesting but eerie as you would guess. people again were taking loads of inapproriate photos next to signs saying dont take pictures. people were even posing for photos in front of the wall in which tens of thousands of people were shot and relatives still put flowers and candles beside it. we then headed to birkenau on the free bus which was much quieter and more genuine as it was less of a museum it looked untouched since it had been discovered. we saw the blown up gas chambers and crematoria and the railway lines which brought in the people. we stomped through mud to an open barrack which in auschwitz would have exhibtions in but this was just asit had been left, and just us two it was quite scary. it said children under 14 should not go to these concentraion camps but there were children of 6 and 8 running around who must have nightmares now because some of the photos were very shocking! we headed back on the 15km an hour train to the station where we got some dinner and realised we had loads of money left. only go to poland if you have no money!