This is why I needed to get home from the States....
I arrived back in Belgium on Thursday morning around 8:00 am. I was at the kids' school by 11:30 to assist in hosting the teacher appreciation lunch and then spent the rest of the day (until 6:00 pm) in conferences. I did the laundry we needed for the trip, repacked, and we boarded a plane at 6:45 am Friday for Kraków, Poland.
I've have been wanting to visit Kraków for some time now. They say it's "The new Prague!" I'll let you know after I've been to Prague. I think my family would still say Prague was better. Anyway, we stayed one block off the square in the Orlowska Townhouse apartments. Our accommodations were very spacious and clean, and the check-in process was great. I had doubts with check-in being at a separate location, but it worked out perfectly. Our apartment wasn't decorated as fancy as others I saw online, but it was plenty for us.
Big beds for each of the kids.
Getting logged on...super important!
We traveled to Kraków with the Kuznicki family. After checking in, the plan was to meet near the square for our bike tour. We stopped at Coffee Heaven, and it was really terrific. We did need to find the Starbucks at some point to get my mug, but this place was good and would suffice for now.
Next up was our 5+ hour bike tour. It was pouring rain and maybe 40 degrees Fahrenheit. We talked about canceling, but what the heck. We're here, so we might as well do it. "There is no inappropriate weather only inappropriate clothing"....or so the Europeans say. Well, the weather still stunk, and it was not a day for bike riding.
Checking out a well. To be honest, I can't remember what was significant about it.
A clock similar to the glockenspiel in Munich. Check out the rain!
Pope John Paul II was not born in Kraków but lived here, and they claim him as their own.
We biked by the Wawel Castle and its fire breathing dragon. Bike tours are great because you see a lot. They are not so great when you can't go in because you need to keep moving.
Our tour took us through the old Jewish Quarter. The wall that surrounded it was shaped like that of the headstones in the Jewish cemetery. Subtle cruelty...
We also rode by Oskar Schindler's factory.
Our stop for lunch and some authentic Polish food.
Part of the evacuation of the Jewish people in Schindler's List took place here.
Cruising Krakow was our tour company. Bike Mike was great! He had so much information to share. Thumbs up from the Vastines and Kuznicki families. Just hope for better weather if you decide to participate.
The only picture of us all together! At this point, I barely have a voice and am running a fever. Good times! Must. Push. On!
Beautiful Kraków at night! My pictures will never do it justice because of the weather. But, Kraków has the largest Medieval square in Europe. It's gorgeous!
Dinner that night was at Wentzl and was FANTASTIC! Look at the size of those curtains. :)
Wild boar...YUM!!!
To. Die. For!
Saturday was an early start. We booked a bus tour through isango that would take us to Auschwitz and the Wieliczka Salt Mines in one day. It's ambitious, but with only two days, we really had no choice. If I could do it again, we would definitely stay another day.
To begin...our visit to Auschwitz.
The entrance to Auschwitz I. Auschwitz was actually divided into three camps.
"Work Brings Freedom"
This place was haunting. I have no words that can express the horror of what happened here.
The people were told to write their names in large print on the side of their suitcases, so they would be easier to find when it came time for collecting them....
Some of the statistics posted at the camp.
A collection of eyeglasses.
This room contained 80,000 shoes....80,000 shoes that were collected over the course of just three days.
The location where roll call was done daily.
After our tour of Auschwitz I, we were taken to Birkenau (Aushwitz II).
The old fireplaces still remain, but most of the buildings are now gone since they were made of wood.
One of the remaining train cars that brought the prisoners to Auschwitz. Most people were taken immediately to the gas chambers from here.
The Nazi attempt at destroying evidence.
There was so much mud, and it was so cold. Our guide told us to imagine what it was like standing in mud up to our knees with no clothes on in this weather. That was what it was like to be a prisoner here.
Definitely not a place for smiling, but I had to include a picture of them.
Next on our tour was a visit to the salt mines.
It was a long way down!
Horses worked in the mines and never lived above the surface. Can you imagine never seeing the sunshine?
There is a cathedral within the mine. The acoustics are phenomenal and many concerts are held down here. That is all salt!
Salt crystal chandelier!
A salty Pope! He was supposed to visit here but was never able to.
Over 200 km of corridors. You don't want to lose the group!
Back to the city center to enjoy the end of the evening.
Silly boys!
Just before 10:00 pm, we literally ran over to the mall and grabbed a mug at Starbucks. Unlike malls in Belgium, this mall was huge and open until 10:00 pm...not 6:00 pm. Another reason I wish we had more time.
I highly recommend a stop in this city, and if I have the time, I will be back. I want to see it in the sunshine with blue skies with stops inside the castle, Schindler's Factory, and maybe even the mall. Fingers crossed!
Most days, I am fine with living far away. But, there are some things I can't miss...like my little sister, Nicole, turning 40. Nicole and our Danceline friends starting planning their weekend together back in January for her March birthday. Just for the fun of it, I thought I would check flights. Wouldn't it be awesome if I could be home to surprise her!!! They were a bit high, but I continued to check. In late January, they took a huge dip, and the price was one I couldn't refuse. I booked it! Now to keep a secret for over a month!!! Normally, this would be easy, but our group chats daily on the Voxer app. I cannot tell you how many times I almost slipped. Then, the week of the party, Nicole called, and we chatted for nearly two hours. That was the LONGEST two hours of my life. I spent the whole time trying not to mess up. Thankfully, I didn't!
So, on Friday, March 6th, I headed out of Brussels for Newark, Chicago, and finally Moline. It wasn't ideal, but it was cheap. While in Chicago, I found wifi and caught up on my Voxer messages only to find out my grandpa had passed away that day. Our family friend, Nicole Miller Smith, had passed away on March 2nd, so I went home knowing I would be able to attend her funeral. I had no idea I would be staying for a second. I spent Friday night at my mom's house. It was so good to be home. Now, I normally chime in on Voxer when I get up in the morning. I wanted to make sure I stuck to the normal schedule, so I set my US alarm for midnight (7 am Brussels time...holy jet lag) to wish them all a happy Saturday, lots of fun at the party, and told them how much I wished I could be with them. Hehehehe...sneaky. Then back to sleep. My mom drove me to Normal on Saturday morning where we met at Danielle's house. Nicole was due to arrive around noon, but of course, she was late for her own party. :) Finally she arrived, and it was the BEST surprise EVER!!! I think I've watched the video 50 times!!!
Danielle had decorated her home with a Paris theme (Nicole LOVES Paris.) It was awesome! And, she used my Eiffel Tower pics in the decor. LOVE!
Jenny brought the cookies from the St. Louis area. So adorable!
Here's the video! EEK!! So fun!
Try to ignore my super annoying, excited giggle.
She was just a little shocked!
Trying to figure out how this all worked out.
The Williams girls
The Gift! The 40th Birthday gift is the infinity bracelet from Tiffany. I'm the only one who is surprised since I'm the oldest. There's one perk!
The girls...just missing Katy!
To continue the Paris theme, we were off to Merlot and a Masterpiece in Bloomington to do some painting.
My masterpiece! I followed the directions very carefully and could not figure out why it looked so weird. Well, after finishing, we all realized the top of the tower was too short. You would think I would have figured that out while we were painting. I've seen the tower a couple of times. Ugh!
Love how they are all a little different. But, they have one thing in common...the top is too short. ;)
She was kind and shared before she devoured the rest.
What a terrific celebration!!!
Sunday afternoon, was the funeral for our beautiful friend Nicole. She passed away at just 34 years old after a very courageous battle with cancer. Nicole was very transparent about her battle. She kept a blog that updated everyone on her progress as well as her setbacks. She was always positive and no matter the news she received, she used it to glorify God. What an inspiration and role model for so many. She will be missed.
Rather than flying home on Monday, I rebooked my flight to leave on Tuesday morning after my grandpa's visitation on Monday night.
It was so good to see my cousins!
Pizza at Mom's house after the visitation.
Our kids with Grandpa at Christmas.
Tuesday morning, I was packed and ready for my flight. My mom and Mike dropped me off at the airport before heading to the funeral. While sitting at the gate, my flight was cancelled due to fog. So, not only could I not make it to my connecting flight in Chicago, but no one could come and get me because they were all at the funeral. And, I just wanted to be at the funeral. I had a little cry fest all to myself for a couple of minutes. Some nice stranger offered me a ride wherever I needed to go...thanks, but I'll be okay. In the end, our friends came to pick me up, and I was still able to attend the luncheon. The next flight out was Wednesday night from Chicago. So, Wednesday morning Mom and Mike drove me to O'Hare. They are the best! Of course, when I got to O'Hare, I wasn't on the flight. Really? Because I rebooked it YESTERDAY! I'm in meltdown mode at this point and trying to hold it together. I'm fairly certain the gal at the counter sensed this and got me on that flight. Phew! So, I arrived home safely on Thursday morning to leave again on a flight Friday morning. More on that in the next post.
It was definitely a weekend I will never forget. I was meant to be home. It was really God's perfect timing to have me there for so many important events. He never ceases to amaze me.
