Let’s completely ignore the fact that I’m more than two months behind, shall we, and jump right into this. So here is a quick little July travel recap…. errr… at the beginning of October. (And don’t be surprised if you see re-caps for August & September real soon too). June 30 – July 7: Wroclaw, Poland July was a really good month in a lot of ways. For one, we started the month with a week in Wroclaw, one of my…
The Best of Europe: Churches (Vol. I)
My first Europe trip is over and I realize that I haven’t written much about it at all. The thousands of pictures I’ve taken lay jumbled in a series of digital folders, unsorted and unedited. It makes me feel a little bad because I saw so many incredible things and now those memories are slowly slipping away. So here goes a series of Europe recaps, mainly for myself so I can always remember. First up: places of worship!
The locals’ guide to Warsaw: Poland’s phoenix city
Warsaw is a city best appreciated through its history. At first glance, Warsaw is neither impressively metropolitan nor charmingly historic (unlike the more popular Krakow). It seems neither here nor there, as if a city not yet come into its own. The result is a very forgettable city, some may even say utterly lacking in character. But to even begin to appreciate the city, you need to understand the history. Warsaw’s story is one of heroism, destruction, and rebirth. Stick with me as…
A visit to Auschwitz, Part 2: Behind the barbed wire fence
While in Poland, I did a bit of unusual reading. Meeting D’s Polish side of the family inspired me to learn more about his family history, and we dug up an memoir written by his grandfather (only a few years ago). In it, he documented the war years while fighting in Warsaw Rising (against the German occupation) and then his experience as a prisoner of war in the German camp (though it wasn’t a death camp). What struck me the…
A visit to Auschwitz, Part 1: An introduction
Things are about to get a little somber here on Slightly Astray. Originally, I wasn’t sure how I was going to write about Auschwitz or if I was going to at all. But I believe Auschwitz needs proper coverage here so that the world forever knows and remembers this crime against humanity. On the way to Auschwitz, we drive past tranquil green pastures spotted with cute red farmhouses, and acres of lush forest. The scenery outside is peaceful. However, the mood…
On wealth: a week in a mansion
I am aware and fully appreciative of the fact that we have set off on this journey with more room in our budget than the typical backpacker. This means we can stay in nicer apartment rentals instead of shared hostels. We don’t need to constantly cook at home (getting groceries is a lot of work!) and miss out on local eats. And we can splurge on fancy cups of drinking chocolate (my current weakness). But still, no matter how roomy…
[Wroclaw] Pierogarnia: a love story
The minute we arrived in Wroclaw, we checked in with our host, dropped our luggage on the floor, turned to each other and said “It’s time for some pierogis!” We excitedly jaunted across Market Square, to the restaurant that we had seen earlier as we walked into town: Pierogarnia. We (correctly) guessed that it’s a restaurant entirely devoted to pierogis! “Isn’t it weird that we can fly across the world and still eat similar food as back home?” D observed. And that’s precisely why…
Of pastel buildings and pierogies: 4 Days in Wroclaw
I believe there will always come a time during the course of long-term travel when new sights start to lose their sparkle, when you want to stop playing tourist, when you don’t give a crap about seeing another cathedral. When that time (inevitably) comes, it is perfectly acceptable to just watch the world go by from your apartment, read books (or blogs), and eat at the same restaurant everyday, twice a day. And yet you will still have the most lovely…