Day in Krakow

Today I had some down time between meetings was fortunate enough to tour a bit of the city.   What struck me the most was how far Krakow has come since gaining its freedom from communism.  The roads are rebuilt, the squares are flourishing and the people have a lot of passion for their country.  It was also nice to be in a country and not have to hear about a recession or unemployment.  This city and country are on their way up and I hopefully will be back soon.

Walking the Planty that surrounds Old Town

Entering through the north gate into the streets of Old Town

Just as you enter the gate you see this shrine dedicated to the Black Madonna of Częstochowa

View from the shrine looking into the main street of Old Town

Mexican restaurant in Krakow! 

St Mary's Cathedral

Fountain just outside the entrance to the Cathedral

Inside the Cathedral...simply awesome!

Altar piece exterior that telling the story of Mary. The church opens the altar piece 2 times a day to show a woodcarving masterpiece

I happened to be there for the opening of the altar piece

Photo of the altar piece...very beautiful

Statue of Adam Mickiewicz, Poland's Shakespeare, in the main square

Cloth Hall in Old Town

Horse carriages in the Main Square

Eros bound-Igor Mitoraj's sculpture

Best lunch I've had in Poland

John Paul the II vending machine

Inside John Paul the II's old church

Shroud of Turin replica

John Paul the II's favorite place to pray in his church

JP II's former residence

Statue of Tadeusz Koscuiszko who was both a Polish and an American Revolution hero

Wawel Cathedral

Entrance to the Cathedral

Bones at the entrance of the Cathedral thought to be from an extinct animal

Overlooking Krakow

Chopin's grave

Dragon monument based on the legend of Prince Krak

Walking through the Dragon's den

Personal tourguide Patrick showing me the sights of Oskar Schindler and Schindler's List

Site dedicated to the killings of numerous Jews on this spot

Driving through the streets of Krakow

Having dinner alone...missing the wife, family and friends

Video of the Main Square at dusk