Krakow
Bloody taxi drivers are rip off merchants everywhere! Krakow was no different!
How did I know? I had gone to the wrong one of two exits at the Krakow train station and the taxi from there would have been 25 zloty to go the long way round to the hostel. I walked to the other exit and to the taxi stand the driver had about 1-1.5kms to drive and it was the same as the other guy had quoted. I objected of course, but in the end there is no option, you take it or you don’t!
When you are old, tired,hot and just a bit grumpy with architects who design a beautiful new train station and don’t consider escalators of lifts for those of us who need a helping hand once in awhile.
I really couldn’t believe my eyes seeing Krakow’s rail station, nearly finished and no allowances made for the disabled. Obviously designed by men! Perhaps they will add those little niceties later, although I doubt it. Ridiculous, to say the least.
The errant taxi driver explained that he couldn’t take me to the door of the hotel but he would drop me close to it. He had dropped me close to the old city square, where the hostel was located. I later discovered that vehicles are only allowed in the square until 10 am in the morning.
The only problem it was a big square! A sight that had me saying “Wow! What an incredible sight, the churches, the buildings, the horse drawn carriages giving those people keen to try, a ride. no doubt for a price, I never did find out the cost of those.
Asking people of its whereabouts was even more confusing as no one seemed to know either.After walking for some time looking, hauling heavy bags on cobbled streets in a summery 25 degrees, my patience was wearing thin. Finally someone did know where it was and wouldn’t you know it , the opposite direction to which I had previously been told!
At least the bags felt lighter knowing that. Getting there simple, but…. and always there is a but, my room was on the fourth floor. Great views over the square but for tired feet and legs a not so great walk up the circular stairway.
In a six bunk room this time so would be interesting. Rested and a coffee fix had me back down stairs to see some of the square and its surrounding buildings. There was a wedding in one of the churches so slipped in and enjoyed the ceremony. The square was so busy, I was reminded very much of the Piazza in Venice ,with all the pigeons and people, but here it was noisy, outdoor cafes and bars, buskers everywhere, souvenir sellers galore both inside and outside. The evening particularly appealing with the light displays and music demonstrations, all interupted by the clop of horses and carriages going around the square. I was pleased to see the horse had special shoes on, I assumed it was to protect their feet from a long day on the hard surfaces.
Oh, joy, when I saw a very discreet M of Maccas in a side street.
Mcdonalds for dinner then back to the hostel. Interesting to see that Maccas did not have their ususal decorations on the shop. The golden arches very subdued, in keeping with the old city square buildings. It was a very long climb up those stairs for the last time of the day!
Pleased to have wifi every where, after the last hostel with little room to move ,this one had plenty of rooms and bathrooms!
I think I may have been the wrong age group for this hostel, despite notices saying quiet after ten. It was a saturday night after all. Finally at 2 am I gave the kids a bit of a burst, not that it made a great deal of difference, but they did seem to get the message. Unfortunately the individual loud noises continued and because of being on the fourth floor no one in reception would have been aware of it. Alcohol and young people are not a good mix in any country.
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