Omnipotent Hovering Billows

By Patty "Padlynn Pidge" Doyle

Or what I like to call clouds. Even though everyone is familiar with the concept, I would like to challenge that in Eastern Europe, these fluffs are different. Framed by old buildings, birds, towers, and churches, it definitely takes you out of the typical stereotype of a weather related photo. One would sincerely appreciate this in the middle of the autumn gloomy skies of anywhere in the world. Once a grayscale day presents itself, you jump at the at the chance to gaze upon a deep blue sky contrasted against those fluffy bleached cotton balls that float so daintily. Which Europe has provided us- the sky gazers, an amazing artist's palate of colors. More dramatic than a classic Baroque painting-yet more colorful than any post-impressionist could dream of.

The only majority of weather here seems to be an overcast silver sky- no thunderstorms, no snow (yet), but of course lots of rain. This observation when assessing on ones appropriate battle gear (i.e. umbrella, boots, winter coat, or sunglasses, tights, and sweatshirt) generally gathers a ho-hum sort of sigh. The sky is not usually on the top of the list of beautiful sights seen in the abroad student's educated adventure. But every once in a while, this ever changing canvas will fail to let your eyes roam anywhere else.

Lazy breezes, sunset, cloudy with a chance of rain: all of these moments are emphasized with the delicate trimming that is the phenomenon of precipitation.

Seasonal Changes

By Jessica Kieleszewski

So long as our group has been here, we’ve had a differing of seasons compared to other years; as we’ve had the opportunity to experience ourselves, and hear from the locals. It began when we landed at the end of a particularly hot summer, nearly in fall. Few of us were really prepared for hot weather, thinking to bring along clothes for a fall experience, so our marches through the introductory tour were rather painful.

By the time we arrived back in Krakow, however, we had only two, at the most three days of hot weather left before a speedy transformation into a chilly fall atmosphere. It began to rain a lot more, the leaves changed in the blink of an eye, and on one strange day we experienced heavy snow and sleet for more than 24 hours straight.

Soon arrived November 1st, All Saints Day, and many of the students in our group chose to venture out to the cemetery to experience the polish customs of candles, and prayer. By this point in time, the nights were starting to get rather cold, and after maybe an hour outside, my toes began to sting and go numb, but a great experience it was no matter what.

Nearing December, Krakow prepares for Christmas by setting up its massive Christmas Village in the Square in Old Town. Most beautiful to see at night with all of the lights lit, you can warm yourself with a cup of mulled wine, and spend your time shopping for Christmas gifts. Some of us hope to see snow soon.

Morski Oko--Gem of the Tatras

By Elia Olson

The fall semester of 2009 I had the opportunity to study abroad in Poland, specifically in Krakow, the cultural capital of the country. I love the city of Krakow but sometimes you need a break from the hustle and bustle of the city. If you find yourself in Krakow and need to get some fresh air, I suggest you did what I did and take a day trip to a small town nestled in the Tatra Mountains called Zakopane. Now, even though I suggest you travel to Zakopane, I really hope you will travel to a small place outside of that sleepy town called Morskie Oko.

If you take a half hour bus ride, you find yourself at the entrance to the national park that claims this beautiful wonder hidden within the Tatra Mountains. Just like in America, national parks require you to pay to enter the haven and then we were “hiking” to Morskie Oko, dreaming the entire way of how beautiful it would be when we got there. I say “hiking” because you actually just walk on a paved road for 11 kilometers and have to move over to one side or the other occasionally to let cars pass on their way to or from our destination.

Although you “hike” up and down a road, there are still many natural waterfalls that you encounter and like any good tourist, make sure to take some pictures to show your family and friends. As you hike further up the road, the trees break and you catch glimpses of the mountains you are hiking in and it takes your breath away. And just when you think you should have been there 20 minutes ago, the trees break again and you walk up to the most breathtaking lake I have ever seen. I understand you might not be an adventure junkie but I would give Morskie Oko the chance. It is a beautiful sight nestled in the Tatra Mountains, something I think everyone who has the chance should see.

Life in Kraków

By August Kochanowski

My whole spring semester of 2009 was spent in gleeful anticipation of the upcoming Krakow trip.
That is already here and, now, almost gone. Now that I look back on my time, with first impressions being a thing of the past, I can honestly comment on life in Krakow.

A great deal of my time in Krakow was spent in transit. When I say transit, I mean walking. This is one of the first things you will notice when arriving in this city; everyone walks everywhere. This doesn’t mean that Krakow has no public transportation. On the contrary the city is a crisscross of tram lines, some as old as communism and others modern and streamlined. Because of this people here are as skinny as rails. You can always tell who the foreigners are long before you hear them speak. When the locals aren’t walking you can find them on their knees in church. In all my travels I have never come across a place where people are so devout. On any given Sunday you can see parishioners congregated outside the churches listening to mass via a loud speaker. And it is not just Grandpa and Grandma; it’s also young people.

Krakow, being the cultural center of the country, has all of the best of Europe that you would expect such as cafes, cobblestone walks, statue-lined parks, and magnificent churches. But what I find so charming about this city are the things you won’t find in your guide book like the smell of coal in the air whenever it gets cold, the sound of people talking in a language foreign to my ear, pigeons (yes pigeons) and most of all the sense of pride I feel being in the homeland of my roots.

Budapest

By Jessica Douglas

Budapest is the beautiful capital city of Hungary, situated in the north-central portion of the country. Originally, Budapest wasn’t one city at all, but two: Buda and Pest, twin cities on the east and west banks of the Danube, joined together in 1873. Budapest is easily the most awe-inspiring city I have ever seen-- in terms of beauty, energy, and history, as well as the size and enthusiasm of its widely varied populace, Budapest truly has it all.

One thing that is very easy to notice about Budapest is the number of non-Hungarians that you encounter in the downtown areas, as well as how many Hungarians speak English. It seemed to me, an American tourist, that I heard far more English, Italian, and Japanese than Hungarian. However, everyone was very friendly and I felt that knowing the language wasn’t necessary—a smile was. Budapest plies a brisk tourist trade, not only because her landmarks are exquisitely beautiful, such as the Chain Bridge and Matthias Church, but also because her shopkeepers and vendors are many times friendlier than some of the other Central European countries.

One of the things that I loved about Budapest was the sheer number of spas in the city. Budapest has approximately 80 hot springs, and the populace seems poised to take full advantage of all of them. Many baths have been in continuous use since Roman times. Szechenyi Bath, in former Pest, is the one where several colleagues and I went to have massages. The exchange rate was in our favor as it cost a mere $20 USD for a 35 minute massage. It was a short walk from the spa to our tram stop. We finished off our day with tasty langos -- Hungarian fried bread which is topped like a pizza -- and shopping in the Great Market Hall for embroidered tablecloths and leather goods. Good friends, good views, good food…Budapest truly does have it all.

That Obscure Orb of my Desire--the “Wawelloon”

By Elizabeth Kotz

Above our fine city it hovers, an omnipresent sphere teasing the clouds. Every day without fail it goes up, down, up and down, carrying bushels of tourists into the sky. This balloon is not a traditional “hot air balloon” dependent on warm air and lucky winds- rather it is tethered to the ground, a rope wound at its base. Once a small group has gathered in the basket and is ready to go up, the rope is unspooled like a giant thread. Gradually it ascends, ultimately reaching a height of approximately 300 meters. From such a height the balloon affords an incredible view of Krakow. It’s positioned in such a spot that one gets a unique look at Wawel, the Wisla, Kazimierz, and patches of hidden urban-garden greenery. The sunsets in Krakow are slippery things, though the sun begins to dim at 4:00, the sky can hardly hold onto its pinks and violets before plunging into total darkness. Taking a “Wawelloon” trip during this brief but incredible moment (…usually around 5:30) is a perfect way to snap some extraordinary photos and see the city basked in a golden light. Up so high, you are the sun yourself! Or you might as well be, perched beneath a big round ball peering down at the surging crowds below.

At night, the balloon is a different thing entirely- it joins the cosmos, a low flying star or wayward moon. The red light in the basket blinks like an airplane’s warning flash. Riding the “Wawelloon” at this time of day is a surprising experience. There are few lights, and those that are visible bleed and disappear into the shadow of the looming Tatras. Wawel is illuminated, and so are several modern shopping centers, but from above it is clear that Krakow is a city of “the past.” It lacks aggressive fluorescent streetlights and skyscrapers, comprised instead of dark alley mazes and black cobblestones.