Polish Weekend

This last weekend, Case and I went to Kraków, Poland. We've both thoroughly enjoyed the eastern european countries that we've visited and Poland was no exception. 

On Friday we visited Schindler's Factory and Auschwitz Concentration Camp. To learn about the Holocaust in school is one thing, but to be at, what was, the largest concentration camp and to see belongings (both physical and material) was quite effective. No matter how many books I read or documentaries I watch that discuss the Holocaust, I will never be able to fathom the horror that the victims of this terrible time in history went through.

Ghetto Heroes Square - A memorial to remember the victims of the
Holocaust. The chairs represent their personal belongings that they took with them when forced out of their homes (which oftentimes included furniture)

Schindler's office in Schindler's Factory

A memorial with the names of people that Schindler employed and saved 

Auschwitz I - "Work will set you free" 

Guard Tower at the entrance to Auschwitz II (Birkenau)

After a heavy day on Friday, we spent Saturday walking around the city moat (Planty Park), Wawel Castle and the Main Market Square.

Planty Park (used to be a moat)

Wawel Castle

A dragon statue that actually breathes fire every 4 minutes

Easter trip to Budapest and Vienna

                

This past week, Case and I took advantage of the time he got off work for the Easter holiday, and took a trip to Budapest, Hungary and Vienna, Austria. I think that we were both surprised by how much we enjoyed both cities, their history and their beauty. We knew Budapest had some great sights to see and an interesting history, but we left Hungary with more knowledge of their history and in turn a greater respect for the country.

The first night we took a night boat cruise on the Danube with an audio tour. We learned about the history of the bridges that connect Buda and Pest, the buildings and the people that were involved with their construction.

We spent the first couple of days seeing some of the major sights on Castle Hill (Fisherman's Bastion, the Citadella, St. Matthias Church) and enjoyed some coffee and cake at a popular cafe up on the hill. 

Buda and Chain Bridge

Buda and Chain Bridge

Buda (left), Pest and Parliament (right) 

City trams!

I liked the metro and the stations. This metro line is the world's second oldest metro line (completed in 1896). 

Vajdahunyad Castle

Pest

Heroes' Square

One of the most memorable experiences was visiting the Szechenyi Baths. They offer indoor and outdoor baths at different temperatures and are naturally heated by geothermal heat sources. We didn't take pictures inside, but the vicinity was so beautiful (you should google it to see the inside).

Outside of the Szecheyni Baths

The Citadella

Fisherman's Bastion

Parliament

Shoes Memorial on the Danube

Liberty Bridge

The Monday following Easter, we took a train into Vienna and were there for about 1.5 days. We ate lots of cake, experienced 2 family Heurigers (a traditional Viennese wine tavern) on the outskirts of town and spent our days wandering around the city admiring all the beautiful architecture and palaces.

Hofburg Palace

Schönbrunn Palace

Belvedere Palace