Aristotle might have said that this is because it is based on the idea Poland – but I've never really quite agreed with Aristotle on this point. I believe we form the idea Poland based on our perception of Poland itself. The same can be said for horses.
Walking out into the dreary rain, I once more feel as if the weather is working its magic to convey to me, the image I had in mind. Grey skies overhead, with water filling the cracks between the cobblestone roads, running down off buildings, getting lost in the concrete cracks, wooden slivers, and splintering walls.
It is nothing but a short walk from the doors of Hostel Zodiakus, where hot wine with cloves is freely offered – made by the staff - as a way to fight the flu, to the Jewish district. Once more, I send myself into that part of the town to explore its hidden treasures, and see what it has to offer.
My first stop is the old Jewish Cemetery.
The cemetery hosts hundreds of years of history, and has the more recent passings of being used as nothing more than a garbage dump during the Nazi occupation. Stepping into the cemetery, my first thought was of being in a place that time forgot.
Seeing aspects of the world, as they will appear hundreds of years after our passing, is one of my favourite things. This post-apocalyptic obsession was most likely started by zombie movies, the Doom video games, and the Days of Future Past storyline; it has continued to flow through my life. It is the main drive behind me desire to some day see Chernobyl.
The cemetery finds itself ever so perfectly mapped against the natural setting that surrounds it. Paths from one part to the next could be easily confused for those of game trails, rather than footpaths to be followed. And like everything else I've found here in Krakow, it was exactly how I had hoped it would be; living up to, and exceeding all possible expectations.
Also Schindler wasn't really into the whole saving the jews game, as much as he was into saving a couple bucks – because having jews as workers allowed him to lower wages quite a lot. It wasn't until after the war that he said how his thinking towards them started to change. Still – he saved a thousand lives. That's probably more than I'll ever save. Probably.
Lots of good things happen in the name of capitalism.
I never knew until that very moment, that I loved beet soup. But I do. It's wonderful. And it cost a mere one canollar, fifty cents. I'll have to try and find more! And there was a sausage too. It was good – but not beet soup good. My god, that was delicious.
Back in the hostel I tried to make time for myself to dry off. It would be nice to have feeling once more in my fingers. As I worked on this through the practiced art of being inside and trying to move as little as possible, the two people who were sharing my dorm came back from their day adventuring.
Stories were shared, tales were told, and cards were produced. Unable to choose a game, with such a myriad of possibilities before us, I suggested a game that everyone knows, and would require no teaching to play. The game? Crazy Eights.
“What's that?”
You've got to be kidding me! As it turns out such a game does not exist on the far side of the world, but – there is a similar game called Last Card (far more complex, but interesting that if you have to pick up cards you miss your turn, and if you play a two on a two, you don't have to pick up anything. And there are fives too.
After playing through that many times, and learning the new regional variants of King/Asshole (or president, or – well it's almost the same as Big2) and playing through that a number of times, it was off to dinner. We headed to a restaurant that was suggested as a good local diner. Wasn't I proud as punch when it turned out to be the very place I stumbled upon earlier today? So back we went.
And more beet soup was devoured! As was meat stewed in sauerkraut, and pirogies with cheese and potato. Fantastic. And how much did this variable feast cost, you may ask? About six canollars. Sigh. Poland. You're wonderful – you with your economy that works for me. This must be what British travellers feel like when they go – well, anywhere.
The rain had cleared up by this point, and it was only slightly chilly. But not for me of noble Canadian blood. No – I scoff at the supposed cold. Well, I do for now. Give me about another week, and I'll be looking for some extra thermals.
On the way home, we picked up tiny bottles of vodka. Vodka being the national drink here, you understand. Vodka, or Wodka as some of the labels call it, is proclaimed to be the best in the world, in this fair country of Poland.
The Russians staying at our hostel disagree. They claim that it's a good – drink – but vodka? No. It's something completely different from vodka. The Poland/Russian war rages on. The playing field? Vodka.
Speaking of alcohol wars – Czech and U.S.A. have one too. It's over Budweiser. Look into it. It's a dozy. Apparently not all bud is terrible, after all.
Well – with many a traditional Polish thing done today, I felt that I had succeeded in my attempt to live well, live as one with money, and get the most out of the city. At last it was time for a well deserved rest. Tomorrow, after all, would be an early day.
Okay, so you mean the whole time I thought I was ignorant to assume that Polish cuisine consists only of cheese, potatoes, sauerkraut, meat and cabbage, I was mostly right? Is that really... all there is? I know (think?) they're not part of the EU but are they so impoverished still? Really?
ReplyDeletejust because you join the eu doesn't mean that your economy booms. They don't use the Euro, and everything there is still super cheap. Apparently nurses only make 800CAD a month, if the drunk man from the street was to be believed. He wants to go to "American, land of opportunity." What an eye opener it was to see that people still think that way.
ReplyDeleteBut yes - you were right about the food.
nice posting....i like it...it is really helpfull to all...
ReplyDeleteBathmate
"just because you join the eu doesn't mean that your economy booms"
ReplyDeletewhy not ?
economic crisis in poland and europe :
http://cdn.wn.com/ph/img/46/4f/804e31f02612ea4d6d0aeebc1c9d-grande.jpg