Years ago, in the 90s, Bratislava city leaders decided to put some unique statues up around the old town to help draw visitors, with these not being directed to anyone famous or even to anyone particular at all. Here are a few: While in power, the Communist government built a big road that slashed right […]
Read More StatuesqueOn Thursday after lunch I wandered around the old town, familiarizing myself with it better, and I climbed up to the imposing castle above the city. I like Bratislava better now, and the locals speak much better English and are friendlier and more open than in Poland. We’re right on the Austrian and Hungarian borders […]
Read More Slovakian SwedishI’m feeling a bit underwhelmed so far in my first day in Bratislava (I strive to be whelmed), compared to the three great cities I visited earlier on this trip. My Airbnb is too far from the action, there aren’t as many sites, and they use the Euro, so things aren’t inexpensive anymore. But I […]
Read More Bratislava, SlovakiaOn Sunday I visited the factory where Oskar Schindler helped keep many Krakow Jews alive, and he is credited with saving 1200 total. The museum is very well put together, and it’s super-informative, with lots of interactive exhibits and touchscreens where you can dive deeper. You could easily spend a few days there just absorbing […]
Read More Schindler’s ListOn Sunday I joined a group of several people for a trip to a local shooting range to shoot three types of guns I’d never used before: a Glock (10 shots), an Uzi (10 shots), and an AK-47 (5 shots) (not a Kalashnikov – I hadn’t realized that there are different kinds). My group included […]
Read More Ten O’GlockOn Saturday I took my first balloon ride! Granted, it’s a tethered balloon, but it goes very high and provides great views. The balloon is full of helium and ascends up to around 500 feet (150m). It was overcast that morning, but sunny clear days are not common around here this time of year, and […]
Read More Crazy as a BalloonI had forgotten until just now, but there’s supposed to be one of Earth’s main life energy sources here in Krakow: Adherents to the Hindu concept of chakra believe that a powerful energy field connects all living things. Some believe that, mirroring the seven chakra points on the body (from head to groin), there are […]
Read More ChakrakowIn a follow-up to an earlier post photo regarding a McDonald’s sign being black (instead of red), it turns out that all European McDonald’s use different colors than those traditionally used in the US. There’s no red at all anywhere on outside signage or buildings that I’ve seen. And actually, it’s not black, but deep […]
Read More McDonald’s Going GreenI had a mentally and physically draining day across the board. Time in a medical facility (I’ll be fine) and slamming my finger in the door (unrelated to the medical center visit) were some of the easier things. Anyway, that’s life! Here are some photos for your enjoyment. Today’s dad joke: When a lady from […]
Read More Fire-breathing dragonAfter finishing up with Wrocław, I took another FlixBus ride, this time to Krakow, also in Poland. I was here once before, with my brother in 2005. The past 17 years have been kind to the tourist scene, and while I really like Wrocław, it clearly isn’t on the tourist radar yet like Krakow is. […]
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Major Meander 