I had booked in what was advertised as the Patria hotel -the only one with vacancies online, without realising its position. What a stroke of luck x 2. First it was one block and a bit away from Jasna Gora (the mon
astery) and second, it is now a Mercure hotel.We spent most of Saturday afternoon walking all around the monastery, seeing the basilica, the museums, walking 320 steps up the clock tower and 320 down again, seeing all the memorials in the basilica and also walking all around the walls.
We didn't see the Black Madonna as she was covered up when we were in that bit - but having seen her last year we weren't upset. She is covered between 1.00pm and 2.00pm. There is a fair bit of renovation going on but we were also very taken by some creative carpentry. Men were buildings an entire wooden farm which was for Advent. It looked like a little set of house, and out buildings, which are big enough to take real animals and people.
Apart from that, Czestochowa doesn't have much and we really could have done a day trip. However, we stayed over and decided to catch the 09.22 train back to Krakow today. Well, the best laid plans etc etc. The old timetable only went to 09/12/2006 and the receptionist at the hotel didn't quite get it right. We got up, sorted ourselves out and headed off to the station to catch said train - only to find it didn't exist and we appeared to be stuck till the 13.31 train - not a pleasant prospect as it was raining and cold. We nipped around the corner to the bus station at 09.10, discovered there was a bus leaving at 09.15, dashed across to the platform....and caught it. This was a mere 30,- zloty each. We were back in Krakow about 11.40am.
Left luggage still exists in Poland. We left our little backpacks in a locker and went into Galeria Krakowska - a huge shopping mall. It is new and full of modern bright shops and eateries. It even has a small (by UK standards) C & A!!. I bought 2 shirts for the princely sum of about GBP10.00!
Which brings me to Advent here. There is NO huge commercialism and only this past week have places been putting up lights and trees. Shops are occasionally playing carols etc but not since October! Houses are not covered in glaring lights and full of strange displays and this still has a feel of the real Christmas. Yes, there are Santas around but emphasis in the square for example is on the nativity, not Santa's grotto.
And now for a Polish parking slot. Beware Polish drivers!!!!! They believe that the only place to park is on the pavement - and at any angle which ensure they are up there. This simply means that the boring old pedestrians have to avoid cars and end up in the road. As for pedestrian crossings.... the general rule is 'Whoever gets there first has right of way!!!!!' But at least there are some with lights. Our guide for first timers is this: watch the little old ladies - when they cross, go for it!
Weather forecast is promising. It's getting colder and according to the internet light snow is expected on Wednesday. This is good news for us!! Just what we wanted.
Tomorrow, our younger son turns up in the afternoon, so we can take him around and show him 'stuff'. School of course in the morning.
http://www.krakow-info.com/dama.htm (da Vinci's picture from Friday!)
http://www.marypages.com/Czestochowa.htm
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