Going Back

I’m not sure how I feel about coming back. On the one hand I’m really excited to be back in the realm of familiarity, but on the other I’m a bit reluctant to see this brief, but intricately beautiful chapter in my life slowly vanish. It seemed like a dream, an exposure to a completely foreign world that I was allowed access to but for a brief second. Now all I have as proof of this time is the strength of my memory. I began to get emotional today while traveling through the various airports, trying to comprehend this transition from here to there. How will it feel to be placed back into the dizzying pace that is so characteristic of the American lifestyle? I have nearly forgotten my old life among the gentle, steady heartbeat of Kraków.

Extending My Stay

I’ve decided to stay for two more weeks in Kraków. Just can’t seem to stay away…

Our Last Super

We had our farewell dinner today at a restaurant called Wesele (wedding). It is hard to believe that time went by so fast…I know that there is still so much to explore within this beautiful country, if only I had the time. I looked around the table tonight at the people who experienced this journey with me through Polska (and beyond) and would not take back a single moment of it.

Zemsta: Revenge

For one of our API cultural events we got to experience Polish theater through the comedy Zemsta (Revenge) by Count A. Fredro (a Polish Molière). Even though it was all in Polish, the actors had such good comedic timing that I was highly entertained throughout the whole show. The highlight of the show was when one of the characters pulled Emily out of her seat and dragged her out of the theater. Thankfully, she was returned safely seconds later, fully intact.

Polski śnieg!

Vienna: Day Three

We stayed at Hostel Ruthensteiner, a lively little place located not too far away from the city center. The front desk offered daily tours and we decided to take advantage of this opportunity to see the city through the eyes of a local. Our tour guide, who reminded me of Captain Hook, showed us his city with colorful commentary. Later that night before we boarded our train, we got to sample the famous Sachertorte.

Vienna: Day Two

Today we went to the Imperial Treasury to see some of the crown jewels and let me just say the Habsburgs definitely owned some serious bling. Later on I went to visit the Sigmund Freud Museum, which was located in his former office/apartment. The museum was definitely one of the highlights of my trip, due to my fascination/borderline obsession with psychology.