Confused dog

I was just about to release the shutter with this happy dog in my window. The flattered fella, stopped briefly, posed, and then out of the blue came the photobomber. My model was really confused but nevertheless got an even better pose: "Who the heck are you man? We have a session here."

Following a good laugh for  me, the photobomber, and the owner - hopefully also for the model - we continued our stroll, happily ever after.

Ned in Krakow

...or nerds in Krakow?

Long time, no see!

We visited the Wawel castle in Krakow and Ned was with us. He didn't seem to enjoy a lot, as it reminded him more of the Capital rather than the North. Yet he wanted a picture.

Pity that the Dragon's Den was still not open - apparently the dragon is still in hibernation - but in May I am definitely visiting. 6 years already visiting Krakow, 2 years living here, and never been in the Dragon's place. Shame on me.

By the way winter is not coming in Krakow this year. What is going on?

Now jingle eggs, jingle eggs.

Good Friday in Krakow today.
Yet spring has totally forgotten to visit us.

The Apostles

It's one of those moments that I think that I live in a movie. And the kind of movie I like most.

This is the church of St. Peter and Paul in the Royal Street of Krakow, just close to the castle, however all the apostles are there preaching on the fence. I really have no idea who the guy in the statue is. I don't know whether he knocks on the door or protests or preaches or he has no connection to the church at all. But it doesn't really matter. Still an atmosphaeric evening

 There is a Foucault's pendulum installed in the church. I haven't visited yet. It's one of the things I want to do but I postpone for "next weekend".

Wieliczka - the myth

Once upon a time, hungarian princess Kinga was going to marry polish prince Boleslaw. She was a kind princess and wanted to make a gift to the polish people.

In those times, salt was more precious than silver and the kind princess decided to give to the polish people a salt mine. While still in her country, she dropped her engagement ring in a hungarian salt mine and then left for Poland.

Once in Poland she knew exactly where the polish people would find salt. The workers started digging and the first rock of salt they found had the kind Queen's engagement ring inside!

This is the story depicted by these salt statutes. The worker (on the right) presents Queen Kinga (on the left) with the first rock of salt they found. They are carved within the Wieliczka salt mine, south of Krakow. These and more statutes, were carved by mine workers on their free time. As we learned during the tour (highly recommended), the life of a salt mine worker wasn't always bad and the pay very was good.

More info and pictures to come!

cookie: licking the walls is permitted, but don't touch the statues!

Writen in stone

Education is a social good. It should be neither sold nor bought. So, in the area of the Jagellonian University in central Krakow you can find bookshelves on the walls.

Of course, sometimes knowledge might be very heavy! But our heroine, the mighty scholar, fears not! And here she is! Digging in stone for the next piece!

cookie: The Jagellonian University is the second oldest university north of the Alps.

cookie request: Does anybody know who is this kind couple who oversee the bookshelf?

Sun in the Wisła

Photo taken from the Wawel (50.053231,19.933624) in Krakow, close to the Dragon's Den. Unfortunately the Dragon was on vacation or hibernation so we didn't meet.

Chopin year in Krakow

 

Back after some days away in magnificent Krakow. And, as promised, here it comes the first photo. This polyharmonic acoustic generator (a.k.a. piano) was spotted near Sukiennice, placed there for the celebration of Chopin year.

Several more, including a severely broken one in a plexiglass container, were placed around the city. At some bus stops Chopin kept company to the waiting and freezing passengers.