Tuesday, July 9. 2024 - Krakow

 Tomas met us to lead us on a walking tour through Krakow. We walked through Planty Park to Wawel castle and church. As thr temperature was climbing he kept us mostly in the shade. The park replaced the city wall, therefore its shape is mainly circular. Benches line the walkways. And trees and bushes provide quiet, in contrast to the streets around the park. Car and tram sounds are faint in the park.

  Wawel castle was home to Polish kings and the  national   cathedral on the castle grounds the site of coronations which events lasted a week. Perched on a sandstone hill the rulers lived and ruled from herebecause Krakow was the capital city until 1596. The cathedral holds the Tom's of many rulers, one of whom was a woman who was called a king. Views from the grounds show spires of over 100 churches and green circle of Wawel Park. The architecture of the cathedral covers 800 years of architectural stylea: Romanesque, Gothic, Baroque, and Renaissance. The cathedral is the location where Pope John Paul II was ordained priest. Later, as a bishop, this was the seat of the diocese he led.

  We also visited the Market Square and St.. Mary's chuch from the outside. Musicians were bring video recorded inside the church, and visitors were not permitted inside the church.  Wexwill be given tickets to enter tomorrow,  if we wish. 

  After a short break we gathered at the hotel and sent in hroups if four with a local expert in making pierogis. With Magdalenagour of walked a distance to a local market to purchase the ingredients. We first had to make our list. Each of us had to write the Polish name of the item and request it from the shopkeeper. Thus was an open air market,  and the shopkeepers were mos understanding as we ordered the potatoes, onions, butter, cottage cheese, and flour.  We walked another 30 minutes to her flat on the sixth floor. As it was warm she served us  pretzel pieces, smoked cheese, pickles, homemade sauerkraut, pancakes with cream cheese and dill abd water and vodka 

  We each helped Magdalena, a hopeful actress in TV and live stage with s theater degree. This her summer break, and she has work already scheduled for the Fall. We mixed, kneaded,  roll the potato and onion stuffing into tiny balls. Rolled out the dough when we could place a finger it it and remove it clean with the hoke intact. We rolled the dough, cut it with a plastic glass. Placed the balls of stuffing inside and pinched the dough edges together. Not usinb5all the dough we made around 100 pierogie Magdalena boiled them certain way for a few minutes. Served them on p,ates, and we e joyed the Topped with the remaining onion and butter mixture we thoroughly e joyed several each. We celebrated with more vodka,  homemade. And cherry crumble  cake. We had a personal experience with a local resident and ,esrnedhow to make the national dish.  We enjoyed greatly our conversation with  Magdalena and her warm welcome. 

  Enroute back we spoke highly of our visit with he We shopped a bit, and I returned to the hoteltovool down a make it an early night for a change. 

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