Our flight landed on time in Krakow. About 10:15 am on Tuesday, local time. The airport was on the smaller side and we exited outside and took a shuttle bus to the terminal. Customs was done in Amsterdam. The only thing left with customs these days is a sign that says “nothing to declare use this exit”. Nothing like the old days with endless forms that were deposited right into the trash. Only fearful and foolish people actually claiming anything. Government is always the last to learn common sense things. I’m not sure there was anywhere to actually claim anything in this airport.
I downloaded the Bolt App and set it up before we left. Uber exists here but most use Bolt. Our luggage was among the first to come out and we were out of the airport in no time. I used Bolt to get a ride share and the car was already waiting for passengers. Polish currency is the Zloty. Today 1 Zloty = about .28 USD. Someone from the States can be a King here. The ride to the apartment cost about 11 USD.
The apartment building looked pre-war to me. Just a guess. We are on the 3rd floor which in the USA would be the 4th floor. We don’t use 0 like they do in Europe. Ground level is 0 and up one flight is the first floor. No elevator and the trudge up was a bit painful on the knees.
One thing I don’t understand in Europe is why they don’t get to enjoy the insects as we do. No insect screens. None needed. I often thought of bringing some house flies with me so others can enjoy them as we do. Maybe on another trip.
Today’s goal was to check in, get some sleep, stock the pantry. Sleep came easy. Suitcases in the room and an instant collapse on the bed for two hours. I’m a simple man. Terri likes to keep her schedule. I on the other hand like to sleep when I’m tired and eat when I’m hungry. Who knew?
The picture below said everything about Poland. This is next to the building we are in.
After some rest we went to a grocery store. We are walking so it needed to be close. One thing Europe has is food that tastes like ours used to decades ago. A piece of fruit instantly brings back memories of when I was young. Congratulations to our scientists for removing every bit of flavor from our grown food. What they have done is successfully added flavor to manufactured food. Who would have thought that the stuff we eat could have so much taste after learning what it is actually made of?
The grocery had food stocked on its shelves and I wanted to purchase everything. The box of strawberries looked like the kind I remember picking off of the farm. The massive strawberries we get at home have no taste anymore. We loaded up the tiny plastic shopping cart with items that would be well into the $230 dollar range back home. $422 Zloty or $115 USD. Can I load up my suitcase when I leave?
We carried the groceries back to the apartment with Terri insisting that she carry the heaviest items. I’m not used to this but she would rather delay my total body collapse as long as possible.
Terri prepared a great dinner and we went for our after dinner walk. No pictures today. Tomorrow we are going to begin seeing the sites. When you have a place to stay for 30 days you can take your time. I have scheduled a tour to Auschwitz on Thursday and the Salt mines on Friday. There should be plenty of interesting photos to share.