Lulu does Poland, part 3

The last day of Poland deserves this entire post... SO much craziness.

Again, going to bed we intended to wake up for the 630AM train to Krakow and then an early bus on to Aushwitz. So naturally, we made the 730AM train that wouldn't arrive in Krakow until 3PM, which turned into 4PM. After cramming on a small bus, we arrived at the site of the Nazi camp at around 6PM. Visiting the camp was... eerie and saddening and moving and also very very very wet.

We lingered until 730PM, just long enough to miss the last bus back to Krakow. A nice Polish driver on a coach bus parked nearby offered us shelter until his tour group returned... a group of genius American high school students on a tour of Eastern Europe. He told us stories of his mother, who had been put in the Nazi camp down the road from Aushwitz. So moving and so very very real. Apparently her task had been to separate the belongings of those going to the gas chambers... shoes in one pile, hair in another, etc... although her son couldn't be sure because she refused to speak about the experience until the day she passed away.

The American group returned, and I waved enthusiastically at them, hoping they might be slightly interested in taking to an American... I was wrong. "Listen girls," the leader said, "I would love to offer you a ride, but the policy of the group is really strict, sorry!" And off they drove, leaving Gosia and I in the pouring rain with a 9090990909 Kg back pack to hitchhike back to Krakow... a mode of travel I would never dream of doing in America, but something Gosia has become a seasoned pro at over the past 4 years.

Luckily, we found the road that leads back to Krakow and Gosia was able to flag down a truck driver and sweet talk him into bringing us to a town a little closer to our destination. I entertained the driver with my squirell conversation, and after a very awkward ride, we were left again in the pouring rain, this time at a gas station where eventually a kind man on his way to the airport gave us a lift. "Jestum Meewaa" I told the man, after which they both burst out laughing... apparently I told the man "you are nice girl!" Whoops... :)

One more short lift to the train station and we we arrived 14 minutes before our train, soaked to the bone and exhausted from running around and traveling all day. I got on the plane to Copenhagen, and although in the same hygenic state I had arrived in Poland 6 days earlier, I was so blown away by my experience. 4 years is a long, long time, but when all was said and done, it felt like 4 days. I can't wait to visit again!

Gosia sends her love to everyone in AP, and says she's sorry not to be able to visit this summer!

The End! phew....