Krakow for Christmas

Christmas!

We flew in to Krakow on the 23rd of December 2013. There was no snow, but it certainly was more chilly. Our flight was delayed an hour or so in Rome because of fog, but after that it was pretty smooth sailing. We had requested a driver, and it felt ever so fancy to see somebody holding a sign with our name on it in the airport. He took us to the check in building for our apartment, and then to our apartment. It was really nice and cozy.

First thing, we settled in with a photo shoot. Emma insisted on being photographed in her new location. These following shots were the results:

That's a really natural smile

Sweet, and still forced. But cute anyway.

Then we did a little more of a personality shot:

....but that grossed me out.

Notice the fan halo.

Stella found the arrangements to be suitable for her favorite activities.

And of course we had to try out the television, even though it was even more incomprehensible to us that Italian TV would have been. But, never really having a lot of TV experience, the kids took it for what it was.

Our bedroom was also cute and cozy. Probably thanks to Ikea.

Soon after arriving, I thought it was a good idea to warm up with a little tea. After pouring Emma some, I went back to the kitchen to save Stella from the glass dishes in the lower cabinet. In a matter of seconds, Emma poured her scalding hot tea all over her shirt with a blood-curdling scream. I've really never heard a kid scream like that. Stupid Ikea tea cup with the little tiny, off-balance handle that's way to close to the top. You ever seen that one? Totally not built for children. Anyway, I rip her shirt of and we spend the next 45 minutes re-cooling rags for her stomach which was very red and had developed one blister. Yay for 2nd degree burns! Poor girl just kept crying, "It still hurts!" as we tried to cool it down. Meanwhile, daddy went out to try to find some aloe vera, but to no avail.

After settling in with a bang, we hit the streets and commenced with the activities that made up almost the whole trip: walking, eating, shopping, and enjoying the sites of the medieval town.

Church of ....St. Fransis, maybe?

I loved all the architecture. Very different from Rome and very beautiful. It was such a different feel and even though there was no snow, it felt a little more Christmasy than the Roman streets we had been treading.

Many, many people told us about this restaurant, Pod Wavelem, with its enormous portions. Indeed, it really held up to all the talk. Cheap, massive, and tasty. I particularly recommend the beet root soup and the Kielbasa. Of course, there is  no bad kielbasa in those parts.

Bring pant expanders to this place.

Krakow has a Christmas crib competition, and although we didn't go into the museum where they feature hundreds of cribs from various artists and families, you could still catch them about the town. They didn't look anything like a crib, but more like beautifully colored castles. (sorry for the sideways pics)

Christmas crib, ex. 1

It had been an early morning and we walked all day. Emma actually fell asleep on top of Leon's head during her shoulder ride. It was quite the balancing act with a flopping, limp child trying to stay upright on the move. We poked her as much as we could but she wouldn't stay awake.

Vacations are exhausting. Leon's not even awake.

The days kind of blurred together, especially trying to recall them now (in March) so I'm not sure of the order of events. Each day we wondered if the shops would be open, or if we'd be able to find a restaurant, because all of the websites we visited said to 'make arrangements' for the whole city closing down. Well, we had no need to worry. If we had been trying to go out in the newer parts of Krakow, maybe we would have hit some trouble. But we basically lived in and around the main square around St. Mary's Cathedral. The Christmas market was open everyday, which meant you could find amazing kielbasa everyday. And that was all we needed to survive.

Some pretty impressive accordianists

Here was the indoor shops full of beautifully crafted goodies from jewelry boxes, wooden toys, blown glass, pipes, to clothing and accessories.

St. Mary's Cathedral (left): where we attended Christmas morning mass at 10am.

Hand pumped water for all the shops was provided by these two hardworking elves.

Then there was the eating!

Emma with orange juice, Daddy with beer, Mama with 3 sauses!  Heaven!

Happy Diners!

A rare mom shot. And a standard Stella shot (blurry). 6 months pregnant here!

With a little bit of help, we can see her eyes.

"Can I just get back to my bread, please?"

No shortage of bread or beer here!

Bread!

Bread, sauce and tea!

Juice is definitely a sign of vacation.

Cutie.

My dinner that evening was a Gregorian pie. We didn't know what it was when we ordered it, but it was good. Actually very similar to a pizza but overflowing with meat on a very thick bread. Everything seemed to be served with cabbage, coleslaw or beets. Very yummy.

Out on the streets again, enjoying the decorations.

Stella: "I wasn't touching the tree."

 This is only part one of Krakow which was really only the first day. I'll find the rest of the pics and put them up soon.



In the elevator, going back home. Everyone in 2 jackets a piece.

T

Granmama and Pop Pop at St. Peter

Ok, I thought these were posted months ago. I guess not. When Grandmama and Pop pop were here in November we took a trip to St. Peters.

Pop pop reading books before the excursion.

 

Everybody praying at an alter in St. Peters

That's a hug. 

 

For some reason, Emma kept asking to be photographed throughout the church, and it was mostly in front of pillars. She found the pillars very moving.

Sitting comfortably on the marble step

Cheese!

Standing on marble step

Attempting to climb on a pillar for the picture.

Almost got it!

Stella and Grandmama where enjoying the ceiling. Stella was the one who kept pointing it out first. 

"If only I had a chair I could get up there!"

I was enjoying the ceiling too (And the zoom on my camera that helped me see it better).

Our Lady

Emma invited Pop pop to share in her pillar fun.

Ever seen such a pretty pillar?
Didn't think so.