Poland

Auschwitz 1 Concentration Camp

We went to the Auschwitz 1 site which is synonymous with the horrors of genocide caused by the Nazis. The emotions and feelings of sadness go beyond words.

The main gate of the Auschwitz 1 concentration camp displays the inscription “Arbeit Macht frei” (work will make you free)

Inscription above the main gate of Auschwitz 1

Walking through the gate at Auschwitz was surreal, trying to imagine how it must have felt for the thousands of Jews and others who were sent here. We walked through the rows of brick buildings that were surrounded by double rows of electrified barbwire fences.

Double row of electrified barbwire fence in Auschwitz 1

There were cases of some prisoners who were so distraught by the camp horrors that they would throw themselves “on the wire”.

Each building was identified by a block number.

We walked through several of the brick buildings and explored the inside.

One building we entered had on display hundreds of photos that were taken of the prisoners by the Nazis. Each prisoner was photographed, cataloged and identified by a unique number. It was quite sad seeing the fear and trauma visible on the faces of the prisoners.

Photos of the prisoners at Auschwitz 1 concentration camp.

We went into another building which displayed some of the evidence and photos of the horrible atrocities done by the German Nazis.  There where remains of clothing, shoes and other personal belongings which the Nazis gathered from the prisoners to use for the German war effort. Even the hair of the prisoners was kept and used for mattresses or made into blankets for the German soldiers.

Thousands of shoes of murdered prisoners

We went to another building, identified as block 11. This particular building was used for several functions. The Nazi SS imprisoned camp prisoners suspected of clandestine activities or prisoners who had attempted to escape. Prisoners in this block were sentenced to death in numerous cruel ways, including starvation or by firing squad.

Block 11, where prisoners were routinely sentenced to death.
Wall used by firing squad between Block 10 and Block 11 buildings.

We then walked to the far end of the camp to a small unassuming building. This building was the first building used by the Nazis as a gas chamber and a crematorium.

The building that contained the first crematorium and gas chamber at Auschwitz 1.

This crematorium was used from August 1940 to July 1943. It was calculated that 340 corpses per day could be cremated in this building.

The crematorium furnaces in the building containing the first gas chamber and crematorium.

By the time we finished walking through the Auschwitz 1 concentration camp we were emotionally drained. It was hard to imagine the atrocities that happened here and how one human could be so cruel to another human.

“do widzenia i dobry dzień”

Poland

Now that is a lot of salt

We went to the Wieliczka salt mines in Poland, which was an amazing thing to see. The salt mines are a major historical tourist site and were designated as one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 1978.

Ray and Shelley at the front of the entrance to the salt mines

We began our tour by walking down 720 steps into the depths of the mine. The staircase was made of wood and was a continuous square staircase. we were almost dizzy by the time we reached the base.

Wooden staircase down 720 steps into the depth of the salt mine.

When we reached the bottom our guide took us through some of the tunnels in the mine. Along the tunnels, we would reach separation doors which would require the door at the other end to be closed before another could be opened. This was due to the pressurized air which was being pumped in artificially.

Wooden cribs used to shore up the mine.

We walked through the tunnels of the mine and there were signs identifying time periods when the mine was active in that particular tunnel. We walked through the tunnels and eventually would come to a large cavern area carved out of the salt. In these areas, there were salt carvings which were very impressive and represented a story in history.

Salt carvings of the queen initiating the start of the salt mine in Poland.

We came to a large area which was carved out by the miners when they were not working the mine. They created a church in the heart of the salt mine. Each carving, statue, and staircase were created entirely in Salt. It became known as “the Underground Salt Cathedral of Poland“.

Staircase of salt leading to the church in the heart of the mine.

We walked down the salt staircase and were immediately in awe by the sheer beauty of the carvings. It was hard to imagine that the miners would carve these beautiful pieces of art, while on their own time after working the mine.

Salt statue of Pope John Paul II
Salt carving of Jesus and the last supper.
One of the many scenes carved in salt in the church
Salt carvings and altar in the salt mine church

The chandeliers were all made with salt and each one was unique which made them even more beautiful.

Salt crystals carved into a chandelier
Salt chandelier

We stopped at one point to quietly admire the beauty of the carvings. It was a surreal feeling to be in an entirely made church of salt.

Shelley and Ray in the Salt church in the heart of the salt mine in Poland.

We then walked through several kilometers of tunnels which would open up into amazing sites. There was a “salt lake” which contained so much salt that items would not sink.

We also saw some huge rooms which contained banquet halls and restaurants all underground in the salt mine.

Hallway in the salt mine leading to the restaurant and lounge area.
restaurant area in the salt mines.

The tour of the Wieliczka salt mine was an amazing site. It was an extraordinary experience walking in the depths of the mine seeing carvings from hundreds of years ago made completely in salt.

“do widzenia i dobry dzień”

Poland

A day in Krakow

We went into the Krakow city center to explore the old quarter. There were beautiful old buildings with great architectural features.

Krakow city center

We walked through the streets looking at the buildings and enjoying the sites. There were many unique features including a bicycle.

Skeleton framed bicycle in Krakow city center.

We came across a beautiful large plaza which had horse-drawn carriages parked there.

Linda, Bev, and Shelley, in the large plaza area in Krakow city center.

We went over to the horse and carriages to check them out. There was one in particular that looked really good.

Horse-drawn carriage in Krakow

We went over to the women and inquired the cost of a ride. The price was reasonable so we decided to take a horse-drawn carriage ride.

Linda, Bev, Ray, and Shelley in Horse Carriage in Krakow

We enjoyed traveling through the streets in the carriage, seeing some of the main sites.

We went shopping along some of the shops in the city center. There were some specialty shops and unique stores.

Bev and Shelley going into a shoe store in Krakow

There some beautiful restaurants, pastry shops and cafes located in the plaza and streets.

Cafe on the side street in city center of Krakow

The visit to Krakow was very interesting and quite enjoyable.

“do widzenia i wielki dzień”

Poland

Authentic Polish Restaurant

We went to a great authentic Polish restaurant in the old city center of Krakow. The restaurant was called “Gościnna Chata” which translates to “Guest Cottage”. The restaurant was located on a side street in the town center of Krakow.

Entrance to Gościnna Chata restaurant in Krakow

What attracted us to the restaurant was the unique decorations and the authentic Polish menu. We went into the restaurant entrance area and could see a quaint waiting area. There was a genuine fur draped over a bench for people to sit and wait for a table.

Entrance waiting area in the Restaurant

The main area of the restaurant was decorated with some unique items. There were wooden carvings of different faces throughout the restaurant.

We sat down at our table and looked around the room. There were so many unique things to see. There was hanging wooden baskets with candles in them and holes in the ceiling and straw on the rafters.

There were sculptures throughout the restaurant and the staff was also dressed in traditional Polish attire.

Ray with a carved wooden statue looking over his shoulder

We ordered some traditional polish food and enjoyed the great atmosphere of the restaurant. The waitress brought over a complimentary polish appetizer which consisted of bread, butter, and a lightly flavored lard.

Lard as part of the appetizer at the restaurant.

We tried the lard and it was quite tasty although we did not eat much of it. The waitress also lit a candle on the table which was a little concerning for Ray. He felt the candle was a bit too unprotected to be used in a restaurant.

Bev at the restaurant with a candle lit on the table.

We had some polish soup and assorted polish styled dishes which were very tasty and enjoyable. After our meal, we went downstairs to check out the decor.

Ray on the stairs on the lower level of the restaurant

 

There was a cozy area that was set up with some tables.

The restaurant had great decor and was a perfect spot for our traditional polish meal.

“Do widzenia i wielki dzień”

Spain

A day in Segovia, Spain

We went to the beautiful city of Segovia, located north of Madrid. The historic town of Segovia was established around 75 B.C. and is known for its Roman aqueduct.

Bev, Shelley, and Ray in Segovia near the Roman Aqueduct.

The aqueduct is a central focus of the city and was an amazing site to see. The architectural and ingenuity of the design was impressive.

Segovia Roman Aqueduct

The aqueduct was built during the first century AD and there is no mortar of any kind in the structure. It has endured the test of time delivering water until 1922 when the city blocked the flow of water through the aqueduct.

Segovia aqueduct constructed with no mortar in 1st-century A.D.
View of the two tiers of the aqueduct in Segovia

The line of arches is organized into two levels, the top pillars are both shorter and narrower than those on the lower level. On the upper level, of the aqueduct, the arches are 5.1 meters (16.1 ft) wide. The top of the structure contains a channel through which the water traveled. The overall length of the raised aqueduct section is 813 meters and is 28 meters high ( 92 feet).

One of the arches in the Segovia aqueduct.

After exploring the aqueduct, we explored the main area of Segovia and saw some of the historic sites.

Cathedral of Segovia
City hall in Segovia Spain.
View of the old quarter in central Segovia
Statue near church of San Martin in Segovia
Church of San Martin in Segovia

Segovia is also on the main route of the Camino de Santiago de Madrid. We walked along the streets of Segovia admiring the beautiful buildings. The city is rich with history and we could see it almost everywhere in the old quarter. It is truly a beautiful city.

“Adios y que tenga un grand dia”

Life is too short to wait for adventure!