One Challenge (Europe) 2008

[earleygallery]

So it is definately Krakow - voting has closed?!

As I scribbled Krakow down as one of my suggestions in Berlin I think its only fair to offer to organise, fortunately I have a scout going on a reccie in December - thanks Steve (will e mail you those details this week). In fact I think its a perfect excuse for me to find time for a weekend there in the spring....

To anyone who is unsure I went there 'blind' last year, last minute booking - wanted somewhere less obvious for a weekend break - and I fell in love with the place. As long as its still the same high standard we have somewhere for the evening meal earmarked. Its also very inexpensive there, although I gather prices are creeping up already as it is becoming more popular (and the stag/hen party crowd have also found it).

There is also a camera shop with lots of russian rangefinder gear and the odd Leica - I nearly bought an M2 they had but the shutter was off and my Polish wasn't good enough for haggling. That said nearly everyone speaks good English.

And no, I'm not going to organise conferences, workshops, bus tours or global webcam links to other one challenges (but you are welcome to do so).

Can't wait. Here's one I took earlier....

[michael_boylan]

James,

Snap I was there this time last year too.

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You can see more here Krakow visit Nov 2006 and here Auschwitz

A few thoughts from my visit:-
We choose to rent a car because we wanted to see Auschwitz, Schindler's factory and the Salt Mines - all of which you have to drive to. We discovered that driving wasn't particularly easy especially coming from the airport at night. There are no road signs and we actually struggled to find Krakow! Stopping several times at petrol stations in the suburbs to get directions. For anyone thinking of renting a car I would say take a GPS with you.

Our hotel was a little bit "Soviet era" but had big rooms and was clean. For the Irishmen in our party they were over the moon to discover that drink is virtually free. In fact by London standards everything is virtually free.

I'd been to Warsaw before, and I'd been to post-unification Berlin in 1990, but Krakow is a different experience. None of the post-Soviet doom and gloom that I expected. Instead it is a thriving European city with gorgeous architecture, modern shops and restaurants, beautiful people and amazing prices. If I was a Polish plumber I certainly wouldn't leave this for London.

[bill]

Originally Posted by earleygallery

... (and the stag/hen party crowd have also found it).
....

...and the Leica party crowd!

Should we have t-shirts printed? Or wear angel's wings...?

Have to say I am really looking forward to it. I've never been before, but this really captures the imagination.

Regards,

Bill

[michael_boylan]

Originally Posted by bill

Should we have t-shirts printed? Or wear angel's wings...?

Devil's horns. Red, of course.

[andybarton]

I bought a Cracow guide in Waterstones in Chester on Sunday (be prepared, and all that)

A fellow came up to me and asked

Him: "Thinking of going to Cracow, then?"

Me: "Erm... yes"

Him: "Full of English people"

Me: "Well that's OK, because Chester is full of Polish people"

I think he was trying to put me off.

[earleygallery]

Yes, all of our Plumbers are working in Poland now

Certainly wasn't my impression - of course most Poles speak excellent English so maybe he thought there were lots of English people! Its becoming more and more popular as a weekend city destination so of course there will be plenty of tourists.

There's also a few Irish bars - one in particular is well worth a visit for the decor and location in a very deep cellar.