At our restaurant tonight, the owner's daughter was intrigued by the group of Americans eating her dad's cuisine. She joined us for a photo shoot after dessert. There is nothing like a little cake and ice cream to bring out the smiles in everyone!.
We left Prague around 8:30am. This means we needed to have the bus packed fairly early and Franz was appreciative of all of the help. The streets were pretty empty in the city, while we exited, and we found ourselves on the interstate (intercountry) in short time.
The roads and sky were clear today as our trend of seasonable weather continued. It looks like we've got some rain ahead on Saturday, but we should be making our way through Slovakia when the worst part hits. The long bus rides are always tough. Kids usually sleep during the morning drive, but after lunch they get a little restless. We help pass the time with some bus games. Karl, ever so masterful as a Tour Director, organized a few distractions. First, after the kids broke out into song (we aren't earning any money as a choir), Karl stopped them and asked them to compose a parody song about our trip using the sounds of their favorite pop music. The kids, for the most part, loved it. After our impromptu talent show concluded with an epic of remake of Budapest about wishing we were in Budapest, Karl shifted gears and allowed the kids to ask him questions about his amazingly interesting life. Albuquerque was their number one point of interest, lol. Karl tried to turn that around on the chaperones, but I don't think the kids cared about my upbringing in Saugus. Lastly, we played a version of 20 Questions. With the microphone on the bus, a bunch of kids got the chance to be MC. It really helped break up the long haul.
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| Kids are working on the song parodies in this picture...although there may still be a sleeper or two. |
We arrived into Krakow at about 3pm. Maybe 4. We met our city guide, Theresa, and she began to explain to us the history of the city. It has a fascination with dragons and a former Pope lived in and around the city. As we walked the narrow streets and staircases of the oldest part of the city, I could tell that our kids were loving the atmosphere. Krakow feels old...the city square has a beautiful marketplace, but I don't usually see many kids there. Even still, there is a warmth to the city that you don't often feel in larger city squares. The large Cathedral in Glowny Square has a trumpet player who announces the hour as time passes. We were able to hear two blows from his horn before dinner began.
For dinner, we had a traditional Polish meal, but the highlight was Beet Soup. Even though it was not really soup weather, the kids loved this color schemed soup...well, those adventurous enough to try it. Before and after dinner, kids could be found getting street food and trinkets in the market. The square is really the best in Europe for keeping track of small groups of students. The chaperones grabbed an outside table at a cafe, enjoyed a nice cup of coffee, and watched as the kids meandered through the different shops. It was not too busy at this hour and the kids kept on checking in. These kids are a good group.
When our post-dinner walk had finished, we hopped on to the bus and headed out to the hotel. It was called the System Hotel but I know it as Hotel Pop. One my first trip to Europe with SHS students, we stayed here. That was 13 years ago, I think. Mr. Fontanella, Ms. Lemoine, and I enjoyed a late night pizza after Font, the kids and I played soccer in the parking lot of a nearby Ikea. We also had to sign-up to use the hotel computer to send email. Wifi was not really prevalent back then...wow, has the world changed.
Travel days are often short on this blog, it has been more than exhausting. I am including a quick video that I found that showcases things about Krakow. I would have made one on my own, but I am not that skilled.
Before I sign off, a couple of kids just came down to the lobby to order a pizza. They wanted to show me a picture they had taken on our walking tour. It was of a painting of King Sigismund II. The kids said he looked like me!!! You be the judge:
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| This picture was from the walk...I couldn't get my camera working (so I thought). It is the only one without a smile! |
Well, it is almost 12:30am here. I should be signing off. We have a long emotional day ahead of us.
Mr. Lavoie, impressed that he was able to put in a Belizean selfie into context for today's blog.
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