Internet Access In Krakow's Main Square
by johngayton
The whole of the main square is a free WiFi zone and there are plenty of places around which also offer free access. However if you need to use an internet cafe this one on the main square is excellent. Personally I only needed to get online to print off a hotel voucher for my next destination and so only needed 10 minutes or so of time. The guy at the desk was very helpful, assigning me a computer and doing whatever he had to do to let me print my single page. All for the princely sum of 1.10 Zl.
There seemed to be plenty of modern machines and despite being busy there was no queue. Skype is available with headphones supplied as well as webcams.
The cafe is located at Rynek Glowny 23, above the Matras bookshop and the "Crazy Bar".
If You Find Yourself Upside Down!
by johngayton
I don't mean this literally (although it can happen ;)) but rather that for some reason I always find myself confused as to which way up Krakow is. Perhaps it's becaquse different maps orientate the city sometimes North to South, othertimes the other way up - well, that's my excuse anyway.
However no matter how lost you get in the side streets there are two points of reference - the Rynek Glowny and the Planty. All roads inwards will eventually bring you into the main square, whilst all roads outwards bring you onto the Planty, the gardens which fully encircle the old city centre. Once you find yourself in the shaded walkways of the gardens it's just a matter of wandering round (clockwise or anti, it's up to you) and eventually you'll find yourself somewhere recognisable.
It's a little bit more difficult in Kazmierz though (especially after a night out in the bars) but eventually you'll find either the main road, ul Josef Dietla, or the river!
Veit Loss' altarpiece
by Maurizioago
This is the main highlight of St. Mary Basilica. It was carved by a famous sculptor named Veit Loss between 1477 and 1489. It is made of four panels that features over 200 limewood human sculptures. It is about 13 m high and 11 m wide when the panels of the triptych are completely opened. The main scene in the center shows the moment Jesus' mother is passing away in the presence of the Apostles.
Every day, except sunday you can see the ceremony of the opening of this altar at 11.50 a. m.
Easter
by Alicja1
I am not gonna describe all Easter because its a long story. So lets stop on Holy Saturday. Inside the churches, priests sprinkled holy water on small baskets brought by believers and filled with , cakes, eggs, horseradish, sausages, ham, salt, pepper, and tiny sugar lambs. The consecration of eggs refers to egg being an ancient symbol of life. The consecration of horseradish refers to the bitterness of the passion of Jesus which, on the day of resurrection, changed into joy and sweetness. The custom of coloring eggs for Easter is still here and I do paint my pisanki on Saturday morning.There are couple waays to do your egss.:technique involved gluing colored paper or shiny fabric on them, waxing, boiling with onion shells.
In old Poland, this resurrection service was an opportunity to identify witches, for witches were believed to enjoy eating sausage during sermons, still during Flaxt. It was also believed that a priest could see which of the women attending mass was a witch, but was not allowed to reveal his information. It was also believed that during Easter procession, a female collaborator of Satan was unable to go around the church three times, and had to leave the procession after the second circuit. Its worth to mention we dont eat till our baskets are blessed.
Go go-karting!
by KennetRose
There's something exhilarating about a spin round the go-kart track in the old tramshed in Kazimierz!
Zl 15 gets you a very generous (when it's quiet at least) 8 minutes, and the adrenalin rush you get from throwing the little kart round those tight bends is terrific. A lap or two will get you used to the track and then - whoosh!
I hoped to get a picture but Marisha, who has had a lot more practice than me, was out of her kart and into mufti before my kart had stopped rolling. So I pinched one of hers!
It seems such a typically Polish thing to do. I don't know why, except that I know that it's the Polish community in Reading that keeps the speedway team going. Any road, they didn't bat an eyelid at two ladies in, erm, their prime having a go! Helmets are provided, all you need is your enthusiasm.
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