President Bush, Clinton, Bush, Reagan, and Carter

Nesting Dolls or matryoshka from what I have seen online they are mainly from Russia, but many souvenir spots in Krakow, Poland have them. I was able to find one with President Bush, Clinton, Bush, Reagan, and Carter in it. I am guessing Carter was the last one since he was the peanut man and his wooden piece almost looks like a peanut.

Someone at work mentioned it to me and I figured I had to get one before I left Krakow, Poland.

What's next...

If you are a regular, you know that I am going back to Krakow, Poland again and again. While I am there I try to take advantage of the time there and see everything that there is to see as I never know when I will return again. I have a stack of tourist books and brochuers I picked up while I was there last time and am trying to compile a list of things I want to see on my next trip or the ones after that.

Below is a small list of things I will try to see while in Krakow, Poland on many of my future trips.

Ojcow and Pieskowa Skala Castle
Lagiewniki, Kalwaria and Wadovice
Black Madonna Shrine
Dunajec River Gorge Raft Trip
Trip to Prague
Zakopane for some snowboarding in the winter
Mound of Krak
Zygmunt Bell
Bielany Monastery

If you know of anything that you think I might enjoy doing while in Krakow, Poland, let me know.

Seafood Paella

Last night we made some seafood paella, which consisted of rice, lobster, shrimp, scallops, and clams. My pops wanted to throw in some mini squids, but I wasn't having any of that. The paella was all cooked in a special paella pan that my parents picked up in Peru a year ago.


For more photos of the Paella go to My Photo Album.

Don't give me a Benjamin

"Every American taxpayer would get a $100 rebate check to offset the pain of higher pump prices for gasoline, under an amendment Senate Republicans hope to bring to a vote Thursday."
Found at CNN.com


I don't want the $100, just lower the price of gas by a $1. Over the course of the year I am paying well over $100 in gas prices. This is just a quick payoff to make people forget about gas prices for a bit or a way for the Republicans to try and buy your votes. Not just that but we will probably be taxed on the rebate the following year. I sure hope it does not pass.

If fuel prices go up any higher I will have to find a 2nd job just to pay for gas.

Read about the full story at CNN.com

My name is....

Remember when you were in grade school learning to write and you had to use those very thin pieces of paper with the 3 lines to practice your manuscript. Well, someone at work found this page that lets you print your own lines on regular paper. The web page is Handwriting for Kids and you can even make customized ones with your name on it. Below is an example of my name.

McRoyal with Cheese

For those that remember the "Pulp Fiction" section regarding the Royal with cheese can now rest assured that it is not just in France. While in the local Mickey D's I noticed that they also have a McRoyal With Cheese, instead of the Quarter Poounder.

My Photo Album

If you have not had a chance to check out all my photos be sure to go to:
My Flicker Photo Albums.

I did not take as many photos as in past trips, but there are still some good photos of Krakow, Poland.

Let me know if you have any favorites.

La Migra

I know I have been out of the loop for the past 2 weeks since I was in Krakow, Poland, but I do think I have a solution to the immigration problem that was in the news.

Supposedly there are over 11 million illegal immigrants in the USA. They don't want to leave, who can blame them. Then you have the other side that wants them to leave. It would be impossible to deport 11 million people so there should be no reason to try.

We need to give all 11 million illegal immigrants a date that they need to report to the Immigration Offices to be registered as American Citizens. If they do not report by the specified date they will need to be deported. Seems fair they can stay, but now need to pay taxes like everyone else.

We then need to be stricter on boarder patrol to prevent new illegal immigrants from coming over to the USA. This should have been done a long time ago.

There is nothing wrong with immigrants, it was how our country got started. That is the only way I was able to be here in the USA and it was done legally.

A little behind

I have a few days to post from my trip to Krakow and will try to post them this weekend as I am back in Memphis, TN. I arrived yesterday after over 14 hours of flight time. I will probably be adding about 6-8 postings, all back dated to try and keep it real.

I was able to get a good number of postcards out and if I didn't catch you this time, don't worry as I will be back in Krakow, Poland in 3-4 weeks and will try to send some more out then.

Krakow, Poland is a great city and I enjoy visiting there, even if it is for work, but I am glad to be home.

It's a boy.

On my previous post, I mentioned that my sister and her husband will be having a boy. I got permission from them to post the photo of the ultrasound. Here is a photo of the baby.

Avian Flu

Ok, so not really the avian flu. I actually woke up on Monday on April 23rd with a sore throat and coughing like crazy. First 2 days, Halls did the job. The 3rd day, I needed something stronger and a local gave me a list of a few things to try pictured below at the local pharmacy. I still have a slight cough but lots better.

Paese Restaurant

Tonight we went to the Paese Restaurant in Krakow, Poland. This is a small little Corsican place. The food is actually very good. Price is moderate. I ate the onion soup, cucumber salad, pork tenderloin, and pears with vanilla sauce. I would rate this place about 4 stars.

It is official.

It is official, I am going to be an uncle. My sister and her husband will be having a baby boy. Date to be disclosed at a later time. I will say that there are still many months to go. If I get permission I will post the Ultasound photos.

Someplace Else

Yesterday we went to a Krakow, Poland establishement located near the Wawel Castle inside the Sheraton Hotel called Someplace Else. It is probably the most American type of restaurant in Krakow, Poland besides McDonalds. The food is actually pretty good. I do feel that there chips and salsa need some better chips. Prices are very moderate and I rate this place 4 stars.

Smingus Dyngus

Monday here in Krakow, Poland is a special day called Smingus Dyngus or Wet Monday in English. From what I have heard, Monday is a day of celebration and you will see many walking or running around trying to get people wet. People will spray people with water and per some people this is a sign of good luck.

Below is a photo of something people might use to get others wet. And yes, my egg is fully loaded and ready to squirt back. I also hear that kids will even pour a bucket of water of an old lady, so no one is safe. I will let you know how crazy the day goes and how wet I actually get.

Postcards

Postcards have been purchased and will hopefully be sent out on Tuesday as Monday is a holiday here in Krakow, Poland.

Favorite photos

Here are 2 of my favorite photos from this weekend. The is an old bicycle at the entrance to a restaurant that has been converted into a flower pot holder. The other is a photo of 2 Fiat Polkas right next to each other.

Krakow Lajkonik

I am a sucker for tourist fotos, especially with someone on the streets. Below is a photo of me and the Krakow Lajkonik. The story says that if the guy touches you with his spiked club, it will bring you happiness and prosperity.



Information on the Krakow Lajkonik

Prodigy

While walking around Krakow, Poland I saw a few event posters for Prodigy. I got all excited, until I noticed that date. The concert is on May 2nd, and I will not be in Krakow at the time. I will actually miss the concert by 2 weeks.

Now, I will start looking to see what concerts are playing in advance to see if I can get lucky and catch a good concert while I am here in Krakow.

Polish Tradition

For those that know me, you know that I have been to Krakow, Poland a few times and with more than likely be returning many more times for business. While here I have found that there are many tradiotions that we do not have in the USA. One of takes place on the Saturday before Easter.

Saturday Morning while taking my Communist Tour I saw men, women, and children carrying baskets to the nearest church. At first, I thought that this was an offering that people were giving to the church, but I was wrong. People have food that they will be eating for Easter, not the entire meal but parts. Some of the thing in the baskets are cheese, ham, bread, and other things. They actually have this food blessed. Below is a photo or 2 of the priest blessing the food.

Cold War is over

This am I was picked up in a Communist Trabant by Communist Tours . It is a car that was made mostly out of plastic and had a 600cc engine. The tour started by taking me to a traditional Commnist Restaurant that has not changed since the 5o's. There my tour guide Bartek explained what all we would be seeing on our tour.

We walked me around Nova Huta, which was a huge community that was built by the communist. Nova Huta means New Steel Mill, and as you can guess by the name people that lived in Nova Huta also worked in the steel mill.

He then proceeded to take me to an old apartment that is still furnished with furniture from the 50's in the communist style. Photos of this can be found at My flickr Photos.

Other places he took me were the Arka Dana or what is called the Lords Arc which is the first church of Nowa Huta. He also took me to the Mogila Monestary where there is a church built from wood from over 500 years ago. And the last spot on the tour was the Kopiec Kraka Mound where I was able to see all of Krakow, Poland.

The 3rd Misteria Paschalia Festival

Tonight after eating at Da Pietro Restaurant we walked to the Main Square to see what all was going on there. As we walked up we saw tons of people and then the music started. We actually got lucky and were able to catch what we call "Stages of the Cross". There was an orchestra and everything. It was almost like a concert.

We did not hang out there the entire time as it was kind of chilly and I had woken up that day with a sore throat. We might catch some of the other parts to the festival on Sunday or Monday.

Da Pietro

Tonight, we ate at an Italian Restaurant called Da Pietro . The restuarant is located in a basement. The service was great and the food was good. Overall I would rate this restaraunt a 4.2 with a moderate price range for American Standards.

The part that impressed me the most was the soup that was in a bread bowl. Photo can be found below. I have actually seen this in many restaraunts here in Krakow, Poland, but it the the first time I have actualy eaten it.

Caricature

This afternoon, I took a walk through the streets and passed this guy doing caricatures on the street and decided to have one made of myself. It cost me roughly 40 Zloty which is about $13. I think it was well worth it, but others might not think so.

The caricature was done without my glasses. I know this one will get some interesting comments.

Pod K Restaurant

Tonight, we ate at the Pod Krzyzykiem, often referred to as Pod K by us American Folks. This is a great little restaurant that is located on the square. Inside the restaurant, they have a glass floor in a section that has a replica model of the city below it.

The food was great in this restaurant as was the service. The presentation of the food was well worth it. Below is a photo of the dessert I ate as well as a photo of me in the hallway of the restaurant in a typical tourist pose. The dessert was a chocolate souffle.

Krakow Dragon

There is a story behind the Krakow Dragon that is standing behind the Wawel Castle in Krakow, Poland. But before that I found out that the dragon actually has flames that comes out of its mouth. You can help the dragon spit the flames out by sending a text message.

The below message is actually posted on the base that the dragon sits on:

"If you send the word"SMOK" as a text message to the number 7186, then I will warm up your day by breathing fire-just for you. The cost of your SMS is 1 Zloty + VAT. For further information about my service, see www.KSG.pl"

"Tradition connects the beginnings of Krakow with one Prince Krak who rid his people of a dragon devouring both their stock and their virgins. And the large 200-foot-long cavern in the western rocky slope of the Wawel Hill above the Vistula river bank known for centuries as the monster’s den still attracts swarms of visitors. Actually, the Dragon’s Cave (Polish ‘Smocza Jama’) is the area’s oldest residence, inhabited by man from the Stone Age through the 16th century. Visitors can enter it via a turret of the west fortifications atop the Wawel Hill."
Found at Smocza



More phots of the dragon can be found at My Flickr Photos

Chlopskie Jadlo Restaurant

Chlopskie Jadlo Restaurant is a traditional polish peasant restaurant. The restaurant is actually located underground. The food is served on big wooden platters. The food consisted of Fried Potatoes, Galonka (Ham Hocks), chicken wings, goat cheese, ribs (not Memphis Style Ribs), pierogi and other stuff. You can probably get a better description from their web page.

Overall the price seemed not so peasant like at 280 zloty for 4 people, which is about $93. We were quoted much less when before ordering. You are mostly paying for the experience and not the food. I rate this place a 3, as the server never came back to us until it was time for the bling.

Below is what the platter looked like.

Palm "Palma" Sunday

Saturday and Sunday I saw amost everyone walking around, with what I am holding in the picture below which seems to be a Polish Tradition. I purchased one to ask the people I am training for an explanation.

From what I was told, flower vendors sell them and the people that buy them then take them to church and have them blessed on Palm Sunday. I think this is a very cool tradition. Puts a spin on Palm Sunday and the churches suppling them. One person even mentioned that there is a contest to see who has the largest Palma.

Brasserie Restaurant

Tonight we went to Brasserie Restaurant and no that does not mean bra. The food was very good as was the service. I ate a dish I could not repeat even if I had written it down. I my words, it was chicken with cheese and ham with frites on the side. All in all I rate this place a 4.3. The restaurant is actually an old trolly facility. Very cool.

Dang Commies

Well, after trading emails back and forth with the Commie Tour people we confirmed that they would pick me up at 9am Saturdayh morning. I woke up early and made my way to the lobby at around 8:50am. 9am rolled around and still no Commie. 9:20am and still no Commie. I got dissed. Spoke with the front desk and they are going to work and set up a Commie Tour for me on Saturday April 15th.

Of course, no telling what will happen since there web page expired on 4/5/2006.

Rent-a-Bike or Buy-a-Bike?

I had plans to purchase a used bicycle for $100, but while walking through Krakow, Poland today I saw a bicycle locked up to a post bill an ad on it for Rent-a-Bike. Since I am going to be coming back a few times the cost of buying one might be better than actually renting one. The bike rental is a45 Zloty which is close to $15.

In the meantime, I do have plans to rent-a-bike Easter Weekend to cruise around town. Of course I could be like Tony Roy and rent myself a scooter from the same people that rent the bicycles. Either way I go, I will be sure to post a photo of the bicycle or scooter.

Arlecchino Ristorante

Tonight we went to Arlecchino Ristorante, a small Italian restaurant in Krakow, Poland. I ordered the chiken salad, Spaghetti Carbonara and French fries. Yes, I said French fries and they almost taste like McDonalds Fries. The food was pretty good. I did not have dessert since I was stuffed. I would actually give the restaurant 3.5 -4 stars. The service was excellent and price was moderate.

Flight Over

If you were not aware, I am now spending my 3rd trip here in Krakow, Poland. All in all the flight was not that bad. I started in Memphis, TN to ATL where I actually met up with my parents who were on there return trip from San Diego. I sat with them for a bit and then hopped on Alitalia Flight to Milan for a 9 hour flight. Got stuck in Milan for about 6 hours to where I finally made my way to Krakow. Milan is not a bad airport, especially when compared to Paris. But do plan on getting delayed for about 1-2 hours especially if it is a busy day so plan ahead. They had over 9 flights arrive at the same time mine arrived.

I was able to get some sleep with the help of my earplugs, neck pillow and eye mask. Of course, this is spring break time and the plane was full of high school kids that woke me up from time to time with the loud outbreaks, even with the earplugs. Next I will have to try the noise canceling headphones.

Postcard

Last time I was in Krakow, Poland I sent out some postcards. If I actually have time to find some postcards, I will more than likely send some out again. Not a guarantee, but I will try.

If I actually know you and you are not some random person out there post a comment with your information. Don't worry your address will not be posted, just the message as all messages are moderated.

If you want you can email me memphiscyclist@yahoo.com

Pollution

I found the test at Yahoo News . But what made me look at this was the article stating that the government will allow industries to slack a little on the pollution limits. Go to Yahoo News for the full article.

Check to see how bad your neighborhood is compared to the average. Go to the Associated Press Web Page to see your score. My score can be found below.

Packing

The worst part about traveling is the packing. This will make trip number 3 to Krakow, Poland and the packing isn't getting easier. True it will be easier this time because I will not need to bring the thick winter gear, but it is still a chore. I need to see if I can just leave some clothes in Poland for the future trips that I have planned.

Of course, the packing is good practice. So far, I have packed less and less each time I go. Below are some of the basic items I take with me.

My basic attire for work consist of taking 3-4 pairs of khaki pants, 2 blue button downs and 2 white button downs and get them cleaned in the hotel.

My basic attire for play consist of a pair of jeans and a few short and long sleeve t-shirts. I will be trying my Mountain Hardwear Convertible Pants to see if it work for this type of trip. If it does, I will be getting myself a another pair or two.

I tried the Universal Packing List. It is not a bad tool, but way more than I plan on taking.

If you have any suggestions on packing for 2 weeks to Krakow, Poland let me know. I will try anything.

Orange County

If you have seen the show on the Discovery Channel you recognize the people in the photo from Orange County Choppers the Teutuls.

Done with Photoshop.

Clean Shaven

If you have seen me recently, you know that I had a pretty mean goatee. This is probably the thickest goatee I have ever had. I think it was even thicker than the thickest beard I had a long time ago. Tony Roy will remember what I am taking about.

Here are a few shots of the facial hair. Pictured in the following order:
Full Goatee, Handlebar, and the old Moustache.