Poland

Hi everyone! Today, I want to talk about my trip to Poland. One of the most memorable and informative places I have ever been to. It was such a unique destination. I had a lot of fun and learned a lot on the trip, these are my favorite kind of trips :). So let’s dive into Polska, “The Land of Fields”

I went to Poland in the summer of 2019 with my parents and grandparents just before Covid hit. On the same trip, we went to Prague and Hungary as well. To get from Hungary to Poland, we got a driver and a van as the train and plane connection for the 6 of us was not a viable option. The driver Thomas was Polish and was a very interesting and knowledgeable person. He told all of us about the history of Eastern Europe in World War 2. He pointed out significant locations where the Germans attacked and how Eastern Europe had to deal with the USSR as soon as they were done with the war. Looking outside as we drove past, it was remarkable and inspiring how quickly and how well this part of Europe has managed to rebuild itself. He had interesting anecdotes to share as we drove from Budapest via Slovakia to Krakow in Poland. 

The scenery was spectacular. We stopped at a hill town called Zakopane for lunch. The food was amazing and I especially enjoyed the potatoes and dumplings. The Tatra mountains loomed large around us wherever we looked. Did you know that the Tatra mountains became a National Park in 1955 and were also established as an official UNESCO biosphere reserve?

After spending a few hours in Zakopane we continued our journey to Krakow. My Grandfather had been to Poland before on an official trip from India in the late 1990’s so it was interesting talking to him about it. Krakow is one of Poland’s largest cities. It has the most amazing architecture and the old town is also a UNESCO heritage site. Seeing the old town lit up at night was the highlight of my trip. It was straight out of a movie. We sat outside in the middle of the old town and devoured some awesome sausages 🙂 Krakow also has a well-preserved Jewish Quarter and walking around there felt like a history lesson coming alive. My mind had endless questions and it was a great learning experience.

Last, but certainly not least, was a trip to The former Oskar Schindler’s Enamel Factory. My grandfather and younger sister did not come as it might have been too much for her. I was both apprehensive and curious to visit this museum. The former factory now houses a permanent exhibition entitled Kraków under Nazi Occupation 1939-1945. It presents both individual and collective dimensions of the monstrosities the war had brought upon Polish citizens.

My Dad explained a lot of stuff to me while we walked through the museum. I will never forget the experience, it’s a  must-see for everyone even slightly interested in history. It tells the gripping history of Krakow during World War II. I came away with a better understanding and knowledge of what happened all those years ago. 

Poland was superb, the food was delicious, the architecture captivating, the people were friendly and the history had so many layers to it. It was a fascinating experience and a wonderful trip with my family.