Busy days, lots to think about

Krakow is about 10km away and we've stayed in the same campsite for what will be 3 whole nights!  That's because there's quite a lot to do around here and we wanted to fit it all in.  The campsite is a nice haven to return to, and it has free decent internet from the bar too...  and good, cheap beer :-)

This part if the trip actually finishes the 3 main places we planned to visit, Barcelona, Bergen and Birkenau (Auschwitz).  So in theory we can head home now...  slowly. 

I had to put the stork picture in since they seem to encourage them to roost on the top of poles (no pun!) in most villages - and Fran noticed this one that had mum and baby on board.

So Wieliczka Salt Mine first.  I was more worried about leaving the van in the tender care of the mad group of flag waving poles than thinking about the mine.  But it was an impressive sight (it's on the world heritage list).  As our guide said - "it's not the biggest, it's not the oldest, it's not the deepest, but it is the best.  And I know the way out, so no argument!".

The chapel is something else, and some of the salt carving is pretty good, even if the subject matter is a bit choice (JPII appears everywhere in this country?).  I think the other one is God, and you wouldn't mess, would you?

Then Auschwitz-Birkenau, which we takled in the afternoon.  It's a big place and I still haven't absorbed the sheer number of people that were murdered here!  It is beginning to sink in, having had a night to ponder on things, that we actually stood in places where thousands of people were tortured and killed.  Not pleasant, but Auschwitz I and II do put some sort of scale and reality to what was history book and academic territory previously.

I have been told many times that it is a place you should visit in your lifelime, and now I understand.

And finally Krakow city.  Travelling by public transport (bus and tram) means you get to see some real life too.  We've seen quite a lot of old city centres in our travels, and Krakow has its own charms and individuality.  We had great hot chocolate/coffee and cake/toasties this morning in a little atmospheric back street cafe, within a stones throw of the central square (guess who had which?).  And I made Fran walk too far again, but she's getting used to it now!  A good stomp around the Wawel (Castle) and onto the jewish quarter was followed by a surreal pizza/pasta dinner watching Switzerland versus Chile, and missing the goal!  Then the return bus trip which was interesting in it's own right.  Todays photos not downloaded yet, so pictures later.