POLAND: the hidden gem.

I thought I would write this blog to make feel better when the lectures at school are frustrating me by talking in polish or the weather is constantly trying to ruin my mood or my body is rejecting the cold weather and trying to kill me - slowly. But then i left the blog in my drafts for 6 months 3 years! The story ends well- the weather got better in Poland, I got well again, school was easier than i thought and spring hit. The rest is below. So because its been 3 years, i can now reflect and i have a lot to add to this blog. So lets begin:

Things I love about Krakow:

• Hot chocolate vending machines in winter! Everywhere. I pretty much lived off these during the months of minus temperatures. On the way to class, in a break from class, on the way home. ALWAYS! And the drinks are only 1.50zl which is 50 cents!!!

• How cheap everything is! Cafe Italian style hot chocolates at only 3 zloty ($1). Alcohol!! Groceries!!! Alcohol!!! eating out and not to mention, Alcohol!! Vodka was even free in the clubs on Wednesdays for woman.

• Winter is much much better with snow. Snow is so god damn beautiful. Like, srsly. Stop it. And (fun fact) it actually warms the air temperature because of air pockets, thermal mass blah blah blah but just welcome it with open arms alright?

• Spring will slap you in the face. It sounded funny when our teacher said 'spring is next week'. I thought it was just due to english being his second language because spring doesn't just come one week but BAM! One week it was one metre snow and minus temperatures then it was 25 degrees and sunny. Then there was only about 1 week of spring and BAM! - its summer. So it basically just goes straight from winter to summer. Its really nice but makes for some awkward moments when your sweating at the bus stop in trousers because you thought it would be cold.

• There are so many parks!! I didn't appreciate this in winter because outside is not where you want to be but in summer i do  :)

• Going out is SO cheap. Especially if you're a student. There is always free entry somewhere and there are lots of facebook pages you can sign up to to find out where all the free drinks or cheap drinks are on the night you want to go out. And yes i said 'FREE'!! A club called Coco always has free drinks for women on Wednesday nights :) so if your going to Krakow, go there!!

• The 'green belt' around Krakow is amazing in the summer. So vibrant with people and one of the best things to do is to ride around it on a bike. It use to be the mote surrounding the old city as part of the fortification, but since its now redundant, the city has turned into it a 150m ring of park enclosed the 'old town'. There are also old 'watch tower' mounds all around the city in the outer ring. They were built so the soldiers could stand on them and see attackers coming from far away towards the city but now they are just big random hills where many people go for barbecues and to gaze out over the city.

• The Old Town. So beautiful, so much history. Krakow has suffered through many invasions and many different occupancies. This Old Town has stood the test of time and invasion and has managed to not get destroyed, much like a lot of others. Perhaps its because the occupants invaded and then saw how beautiful it was and simply couldn't destroy it? There is so much different architecture from all different time periods and countries that have 'stopped by'. You don't have to like history to feel the richness of this place. Its almost as if you've walked onto a Game of Thrones set and more than just history buffs would think that's cool.

Krakow is such a hidden gem in general. Its technically in East Europe, which means the 'east' word alone wards off a lot of tourists. Poland's society has developed a negative reputation for safety amongst some which i personally think is false. There are dangers just like any other city and suburbs you just stay away from, but overall its a vibrant, fun, friendly, crazy city. Nightlife is great, its cheap, its incredibly beautiful and its cultured. However, there is a clause that comes with the cheap price tag and that is - i don't think i would live there permanently. We still get paid better and of system in Australia is more middle class targeted. But if you are thinking of travelling to Poland. Do it. Just do it.

My 5 fashion styles

Ive never had a distinct fashion style and at times its made me feel not like all the other girls who always wear the same thing and i think it has freaked a few people out that think they know me but ive learnt to accept that its just me and my style isn't distinct and stereotypical because its mine. I can however, name the styles that i take influence from. Beginning with my most dominant:

Laid Back/Surfer

See, i am very outdoorsy. and Im a slightly more extreme lass than most I guess you'd say. I have been called an adrenaline junkie and extreme crazy person but I'm not any of those at all. Its just for a girl, its rather odd to see her wakeboard, snowboard and surf in the same weekend. Which happens sometimes. 

YOLO! ha ha now I'm going to go shoot myself for saying that. But really all these things, make more laid back if changing me in anyway. Ive learnt not to sweat the same stuff cause in the grand scheme of things it wont matter and it usually always works out anyway.

Girly

With my attempt to be chilled comes my appreciation of everything beautiful.
I study Architecture because i love the beauty of buildings and everyday i find beauty in something whether its a building, whether its the sunset on my way home or whether its simply just wondering around town watching people interact.

Not stalker at all.

So i enjoy getting my girl on sometimes. Im a sucker for anything lace or floral.

Bad Ass

I enjoy the occasional grunge piece of statement jewellery or some rebellious pantyhose. Think theres a bit of that in everyone. 

Skater/Snowboarder

This is probably partly the reason for my badass style coming through so i guess they are similar but this one is more gangster.

Its simply because ive hung around this scene a fair bit and i've seen some super gangsta looks rocked out by girls on the slopes and i've attempted my own copies but its not that prominent in my everyday style.

Classy/ Nerdy

Buttoned up shirts, Knit jumpers, big framed glasses and Blazers <3
This is has come out a lot more recently as well with working in a new job where its required to be appear 'smart'.
Taylor Swift, i think we can all agree, is the queen of the nerdy but pretty girl look.
Although in recent times, shes been getting a bit more gansta. Oh Tay Tay.

And also, lets be honest the nerdy look with the glasses and no makeup is just a veil covering up laziness because its easier to not put in contacts or put makeup on.  

This is mostly the 'style' i go for when im in the depth of crit weeks at university. If it can even be called style. 

Claimin' it doh.

Blue And Green Landscapes

Day 9- Safranbolu

We left our host family. Everyone in Turkey has been so wonderful to us. We really grew to feel at home in this house, just like the other houses we were so sad leaving. But i gave our host father some coin pouches made from kangaroo leather (aussie aussie aussie oi oi oi!),  the others gave trinkets of huon pine and we set off towards Safranbolu.

Safranbolu is where Safran spice comes from and the whole town (population 50,000) is UNESCO World Heritage. This was also the last stop before Istanbul along the 'Silk Road' from China to Istanbul back in its day.

This place has a cute little vibe going on and although its probably the place we've been so far with the most tourists, the locals are even more friendly. Its not like when you venture into the tourist zones and the locals become more ruthless to get your money. No, one lovely man even showed us the art of making Turkish coffee for 20 mins, let us drink it (so good) and then wouldn't accept money when we offered.

I'm not an expert, but the reason I'm guessing this place is World Heritage listed because of all the heritage houses and buildings around, plus its history of course.

Not to mention this gorgeous ex-governors home on top of the hill and the only way to get up to the hill is walk up the cobble stone streets (or drive but that's boring).

We had lunch at really fancy restaurant (as usual) that was next to a river and had water fountains everywhere complete with their own sets of turtles.

The lovely Rotarian's once again supplied us with endless amounts of food and tried to force feed us to the point of shielding our plates with our arms and sneakily feeding our food to the stay animals around.

We began our journey towards Ereğli (pronounced Air-ray-lee), where we traveled through lush green forests and along beautiful coast line. This was so refreshing after being land locked for so long and seeing as all of us come from an forested island, we were rather fond of blue and green landscapes. 

That night, we went to a meeting with the Rotary Club of Karadeniz Ereğli. We gave our presentation and it went really well. They love Tasmania. We also met a man whos father, fought in the Çanakkale war (Gallipoli to Australians) and would be speaking at the official ceremony at Çanakkale Memorial on Anzac Day 25th April. This man was very inspirational and so proud of his father. He reminded me so much of my own grandpa, also in the way he kept calling us beautiful and handsome. Ultra cutie.

We returned to our gorgeous hotel that night at a reasonable hour (for once). Rotary put us up in the nicest hotel right on the waterfront. As per usual.

Day 10- Exploring Eregli

We got to sleep in! Yes!!!Ahhh this trip has actually felt like a Contiki tour. Every day we do so much and every night we eat and drink so much.

We walked along the shore which was so beautiful and relaxing and we got to watch the local people go about their day.

We visited some ancient caves where one of the caves holds a mythical legend of Hercules slaying a three headed dog there and winning the trust of the city.

We also went on a boat tour before having an amazing dinner beside the sea.

Day 11 and 12- Istanbul

We took a really early bus in the morning that took 4 hours and we arrived about 9am. We’re kind of getting use to buses now. They almost put me to sleep whenever I sit down on one. 

After arriving and working out logistics, we were in the city centre at a cafe meeting up with a tour group ready to be shown around the Grand Bazaar.

This bazaar is crazy. Its gigantic and full of so many different things with over 3,000 shops; the smallest shop being less than half a metre wide. There is definitely an option to wander around here for hours and hours or even days. We will definitely go back and by things later. By presents for people even ;)

We went to a the Nuruosmaniye Mosque. I appreciate getting to look around these amazing pieces of architecture because i’m a woman and normally, women are not permitted in all of the mosque except for odd occasions like being a tourist in Istanbul. So we and all other woman are quite fortunate to be able to see the entire thing. Inside is beautiful. High domed ceilings with an enormous chandelier hung from the very highest dome all the way down to just above head height in the centre. The atmosphere in here feels so majestic. As we were wandering around, there were people praying on their knees to their gods and we even took part in a prayer. They told us that they welcomed all religions within this holy building, including atheists, and we could pray with them. For an atheist like me, I am just thankful for the perfect combination of elements it took to make the universe. I don’t know if what i was doing would necessarily be called a ‘praying’ but its the closest thing I could get. 

This night, we went for dinner at a beautiful restaurant over looking the Galata bridge and Bosphorus.
Zynep, a young Rotarian that we were with, told us that this is where she would come every so often with her friends as a treat during her university years. She thought it was the best place in Istanbul and it really seemed like it. I was on the sixth floor, amazing views, amazing food- seafood and normal, amazing wine and just went we were more than content with life starring at the city and watching the locals get on and off the ferries, out came a Turkish band and belly dancer. Perfect timing because the red wine was just beginning to take stronger hold on us. 

The next day we were to go on a river cruise up the Bosphorus. Once again Rotary had outdone themselves and we arrived upon a boat with couches, snacks, alcohol and man to wait on us. and Cheese. Always cheese here. Ive been an extremely happy girl.

The cruise was amazingly relaxing that we were struggling to stay awake. It was just so nice lying on these couches in the sun, napping, waking up to drink and eat, noticing surrounding palaces or ottoman building then going back into a dazey half-awake/half-asleep state and repeat this procedure several times. 

After the cruise, we went and wandered around the last built Ottoman Palace before the Ottoman Empire fell- Dolmabahçe Palace. Long gardens, beautiful architecture and situated by the sea, I could have stayed here forever. We parked ourselves on one of the lawns and just relaxed for an hour. Basking in the sun. I swear I was a lizard in a past life.

We grabbed a quick bite to eat and jumped onto our bus towards Eskisehir.

Day 13- Eskisehir

Eskisehir is big, 700,000 people live there (more than all of Tasmania) but it didn’t really feel like that. We went for breakfast at a restaurant in a park with a fake castle similar to Disneyland and a beautiful big lake with swans, fish and turtles. We hung out with Rotarians, their wives and kids and it was just a bit of fun really. 

We went into the old town and walked around. Even this had a cute little vibe going on too. Touristic but cute. 

 

We had a BBQ lunch with a lot more Rotarians, their wives and children out by a river in the countryside. This unique operation was a ‘restaurant’ that supplied salad, utensils and a BBQ, then the patrons brought their own choice of BBQ food. They cleaned up after us as well. Perfect for these families with little kids that want to run around an open field. 

We went in and saw the new town as well. The new town is all based around a canal/river. All pedestrian only, the city is mostly made up of students so this area is very ‘happening’. 

We sat and had a pint or 2 at a little pub called Drunken Duck with acoustic music and Irish vibes. 

Day 14

Still in Eskisehir. We went meant to be on a bus headed back to Ankara but we had decided to go on our own little tour to Cappadocia. All people ever talk about in Australia when referring to Turkey is Istanbul and Cappadocia. Our co-ordinator couldn’t fit into our schedule so we decided to make it happen ourselves. So we had to wait for an over night bus that night at 9pm to take us there. 

We hung around the new town of Eskisehir and the canal and basically cafe hopped. It was lovely. 

Day 15

We were suddenly woken by a man on our bus at 4am telling us we were in Cappadocia and to get off. I thought this was strange because no one else was getting off, but was half asleep and followed the group. This man was way to obliging and for Turkey that is actually pretty normal but something was up. Then came the sale. He wanted us to go with Hot Air Ballooning company, which we told him we’d already booked. Then he wanted to take us on a tour which we looked up in the Lonely Planet book (life saver btw, really recommend getting one for wherever you travel) and it said he was offering a decent price so we booked. We were now in the wrong town of Cappadocia but he had told us that he could get us a free shuttle to our hotel which was basically the only reason we were sticking around. We found out later that we should have stayed on our bus because it was going to the right destination eventually, he just tricked into getting off. Rude really. We never really liked him after that. 

So we got to our hostel at 7am and slept for an hour. We went on this tour (that i was now disliking because of the guy that sold it to us) at 9am, exhausted. We slept and trudged through most of it but we did see some beautiful things. The landscape in Cappadocia is unlike any other and you truly feel like you’re on another planet, just like George Lucas would felt when scouting locations for Star Wars.

That night, we went the Topdeck Cave Restaurant for dinner. We were taken down into a human carved cave and sat at a small table next a fire. This place was bustling and obviously very popular. We were served delicious dishes of Turkish food by a girl who was half Turkish half South African, who us the local intel on Goreme. Of course, this was all accompanied by local red wine.  

For more photos:

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