As we left Auschwitz, we were a tired and somber group. It definitely took a lot out of everyone emotionally. We boarded our bus and headed towards Zakopane, a beautiful city situated at the foot of the Tatra Mountains. We stopped along the way at a lovely mansion that had been converted into a restaurant. We had a wonderful dinner and then drove another two hours before finally reaching our hotel in Zakopane. It was already 10:30 an night, so we went right to our room to go to sleep. Dan looked out the window as he shut the drapes and declared that we did not have much of a view. Of course, the fact that it was pitch dark out did not seem to cause him to doubt his observation.
When we woke up the next morning, I opened the drapes and was greeted by the most spectacular view you can imagine; beautiful green hills, a tram and flowers everywhere. The dining room where they served our breakfast overlooked this same view. We wished we could have stayed there for a few nights, but we had a full agenda, so we pressed on.
After breakfast we took a tour around the village of Zakpane on our bus and finally a walking tour through the streets. We took a cable car to Kasprowy Weirch peak, the highest point in Zakopane. The view was majestic. Dan and I took a ride on these little sleds, like a luge. There was a track that snaked down the mountainside for awhile. I told Dan to go first, so I could see him, because I was a little unsure of this ride. Well, he went first and within 10 seconds, he disappeared. If you ask him, it did not go all that fast....if you ask me I will tell you that I think we had a qualifying time for the Olympic Team! Okay, maybe that is a slight exaggeration, but I know for sure that heights and speed are not my thing. I did manage to keep my eyes open and take in the incredible scenery as I whizzed by. As we came to the end of the ride, a cable caught our little luge and took us back up the mountain. This was the most surprising part, because we were so vertical, that I thought at any minute I would tumble backwards. There was nothing to hang onto, so all I can say is thank God for all the yoga I do, because my core is stronger than I thought.
After taking in the sights from the top of the mountain, we took the cable car down and waked the streets. Zakopane is very scenic and filled with local traditions. It is definitely a tourist destination and the the streets are filled with hundreds of booths, selling beautiful handmade wool items, but also the cheep little souvenirs that people love to buy.
Zakopane is the winter capital for Poland and the winter sports center, but it also attracts a lot of people in the summer who enjoy hiking, climbing and mountaineering. If a trip to Poland is in your future, I would definitely recommend Zakopane as one of your destinations.
Later in the afternoon, we took a raft ride down the Dunajec River Gorge. This is one of those trips, that cannot be described in words or pictures. We took a two hour ride down the river through the Pieniny Gorge. One one side of the river was Poland and on the other river bank was Slovakia. Our raft floated lazily down the river through the most majestic, towering cliffs and limestone rock formations. The scenery was absolutely breathtaking. We all decided that the only thing missing was our floating cooler filled with beer and wine.......note to self for next visit.
After rafting, we drove to Krakow, arriving at around 8pm. We had dinner at the hotel and then our group sat around and had a few beers and shared our insights from our trip so far.
Two of Dan's cousins organized this tour and then invited anyone who wanted to come along. Our group consisted of Chuck Rycz, his wife, Mary, Tom Rycz and his wife, Sue and one of their sons, Brad. On the Rycz side two more cousins came along. Virgie (Rycz), her husband, Mike and their son, Tommy. Virgie's sister, Janet Rycz also came. Then on the Kobylarczyk side (Dan's mother's side), there was Dan and I and his sister, Karen Hadzima. In case this is hard to follow.......pay attention: Chuck and Tom's mother is Josephine and she is Martha's (Dan's mom), sister. Their maiden name is Kobylarczyk. Chuck and Tom's father is Johnny Rycz and his brother was Virgie and Janet's dad. So, Tom and Chuck had two first cousins on their dad's side and two first cousins on their mom's side along on this trip. It had been a lot of fun getting to know the other people and it has been really fun to have two twenty somethings along.
It was great fun sharing our thoughts about the trip with each other. We all agreed that Poland is an absolutely beautiful country and we were all surprised about that fact, even though all the cousins remembered their grandparents always telling them how beautiful Poland was.
I didn't realize that Poland was beautiful either and I am so excited to see all your pics. I had dinner with my friend Bec who has traveled to Poland and she describes it as magical and feels a great connection there. Sounds like you guys are experiencing something similar....see you tomorrow!
Posted by: Tracy | 09/19/2009 at 06:04 AM
I cant wait to see these pictures! I can't picture you on the luge, I can't wait to see it
Was it a raft that you paddle or like a tube you sit on? Glad you are having so much fun
Posted by: Jobin Hume | 09/20/2009 at 09:52 AM